Jeld-Wen UK Products Become Cradle to Cradle Certified – Window + Door magazine

 

Jeld-Wen Advances Sustainable Development Goals Through Product Certification

Executive Summary

Jeld-Wen UK, a division of Jeld-Wen Holding, Inc., has achieved its second Cradle to Cradle Certified product certification. This development expands its portfolio of independently verified sustainable products, demonstrating a significant commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The certification, which assesses products against stringent environmental and social criteria, covers a range of door and frame products manufactured across five European nations.

Certified Products and Geographic Scope

The new Bronze-level Cradle to Cradle Certified products include:

• ADVANCELINE exterior doors manufactured in Latvia.
• Interior frames produced in Estonia.
• High Performance doors from Denmark and Sweden.
• Stable and Compact doors from Denmark.
• Five distinct door models from the United Kingdom.

Alignment with SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

The Cradle to Cradle Certified standard directly supports the objectives of SDG 12 by promoting circular economy principles and sustainable manufacturing. The evaluation framework is built on five pillars that align with specific SDG targets:

1. Material Health: Ensures products are made with materials that are safe for humans and the environment, contributing to sustainable production patterns.
2. Product Circularity: Focuses on designing products for reuse and recycling, directly addressing SDG Target 12.5 to substantially reduce waste generation.
3. Clean Air & Climate Protection: Mandates responsible manufacturing processes that protect the climate, aligning with SDG 13 (Climate Action).
4. Water & Soil Stewardship: Requires responsible water management and soil conservation, supporting SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
5. Social Fairness: Upholds human rights and fair labor practices throughout the supply chain, contributing to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

Contribution to SDG 15: Life on Land and Regulatory Preparedness

A key component of the certification is the requirement for traceable sourcing of raw materials. This proactively positions Jeld-Wen for compliance with forthcoming regulations, such as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). By verifying that its wood-based products are not sourced from deforested or degraded land, the company makes a direct and measurable contribution to SDG 15, which aims to protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and halt deforestation.

Corporate Commitment to Sustainable Development

Company leadership has affirmed that this certification reflects a deep integration of sustainability into corporate strategy. Guillaume Woringer, Vice President of Operations for Jeld-Wen Europe, noted that sustainability is a primary driver in product development and a competitive advantage. Carolyn Payne, Director of Global ESG, highlighted the certification as a testament to the company’s commitment to embedding environmental and social responsibility across its value chain. This strategic focus on sustainable practices and innovation aligns with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by fostering sustainable industrialization and responsible innovation.

Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• The entire article revolves around Jeld-Wen achieving the “Cradle to Cradle Certified” product sustainability standard. This certification directly addresses responsible production by evaluating products for “material health, circularity, climate protection, water stewardship and social fairness.” The company’s commitment to “designing products that are safe, circular, and responsibly made” is a core principle of SDG 12.

SDG 15: Life on Land

• The article explicitly mentions the upcoming “EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which will require companies to prove that wood-based products are not linked to deforestation or forest degradation.” By meeting the certification’s standards, which include “traceable sourcing,” Jeld-Wen is directly addressing the protection of forests, a key component of SDG 15.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• The Cradle to Cradle certification standard includes “social fairness” as one of its five evaluation criteria. Furthermore, the company’s Director of Global ESG mentions embedding “social responsibility into every stage of our value chain.” This commitment to fair labor practices and social responsibility aligns with the principles of SDG 8.

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

• One of the criteria for the Cradle to Cradle certification mentioned in the article is “water stewardship.” This indicates that the company’s production processes are evaluated for their impact on water resources, connecting their efforts to the sustainable management of water as promoted by SDG 6.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• The certification standard explicitly includes “climate protection” as an evaluation criterion. This shows that Jeld-Wen’s product development and production processes are designed to mitigate climate impact, which is the central theme of SDG 13.

Specific Targets Identified

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

1. Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
   • The article highlights Jeld-Wen’s use of “traceable sourcing” for its wood-based products to comply with the EUDR, demonstrating sustainable management of natural resources (forests).
2. Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
   • The certification’s focus on “circularity” directly supports this target by ensuring products are designed to be part of a circular economy, minimizing waste.
3. Target 12.6: Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle.
   • Jeld-Wen, a large company, is adopting sustainable practices by earning the Cradle to Cradle certification and publicly announcing this achievement, which serves as a form of sustainability reporting.

SDG 15: Life on Land

1. Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.
   • The article’s reference to the EUDR and the company’s efforts to “prove that wood-based products are not linked to deforestation or forest degradation” directly aligns with the goal of halting deforestation and promoting sustainable forest management.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

1. Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers…
   • The mention of “social fairness” as a certification criterion and embedding “social responsibility into every stage of our value chain” implies adherence to fair labor practices and safe working conditions, which is the essence of this target.

Implied Indicators for Measuring Progress

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Indicator: Number and range of products receiving a recognized sustainability certification. The article states Jeld-Wen earned its “second Cradle to Cradle Certified product certification” and lists newly certified products from five different countries, which can be used as a metric for progress.
• Indicator: Adherence to principles of circular economy. The certification’s evaluation of “circularity” serves as a qualitative indicator of progress in designing products for reuse and waste reduction.

SDG 15: Life on Land

• Indicator: Percentage of wood-based products with traceable sourcing to verify they are deforestation-free. The article implies this is a key metric for the company, as it notes that “traceable sourcing” helps meet the EUDR.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Indicator: Verification of “social fairness” in the value chain through third-party certification. The Cradle to Cradle certification acts as an external verification that the company is meeting social responsibility standards.

SDG 6 & 13: Water and Climate

• Indicator: Compliance with “water stewardship” and “climate protection” standards as part of a product certification. Achieving the certification serves as an indicator that the company’s products meet specific environmental performance criteria related to water and climate.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs	Targets	Indicators (Mentioned or Implied)
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production	12.2: Sustainable management of natural resources. 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation. 12.6: Encourage companies to adopt sustainable practices.	– Number of products with Cradle to Cradle certification. – Adherence to “circularity” principles in product design. – Public reporting of sustainability achievements.
SDG 15: Life on Land	15.2: Promote sustainable management of forests, halt deforestation.	– Traceability of wood sourcing to ensure products are not linked to deforestation, in line with EUDR.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth	8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe working environments.	– Verification of “social fairness” and “social responsibility” in the value chain via certification.
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation	(Implied) Targets related to water quality and sustainable water management.	– Adherence to “water stewardship” standards as evaluated by the certification.
SDG 13: Climate Action	(Implied) Targets related to climate change mitigation.	– Adherence to “climate protection” standards as evaluated by the certification.

Source: windowanddoor.com