GSES product
Product sustainability rating
Verified Footprints Sustainability Product
To enable a thorough, transparent and trust-worthy assessment of your products’ sustainability performance, the GSES automatized the Sustainable Product Footprint (SPF) Standard to create a holistic product scorecard. The SPF Standard includes the Circular Footprint, the Health Footprint, the Social Footprint and the Environmental Footprint. The SPF standard and digital GSES product scorecards are translated into the GSES Nature Impact Rating.
The GSES platform automates the integration of data from SPF Certification through digital assessments, input of Bills of Materials (BoM), and uploads of evidence for verification. Every product evaluated using SPF is provided with a digital scorecard accessible online. This scorecard has the option of being publicly displayed in the GSES database, catering to the needs of corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and public institutions seeking to identify and engage with environmentally conscious suppliers.
Governance of the certification: scheme
The administration of the Sustainable Product Footprint falls under the jurisdiction of the National Sustainability Institute. This institute operates with a governance structure that comprises a Technical Committee, a Board of Experts, and a Harmonization Committee. These bodies collaborate to oversee and uphold the standards of the certification scheme.
Transparency layer: third party verification
Independent certification bodies, such as Control Union, KIWA, Bureau Veritas and TMS, are responsible for granting the Sustainable Product Footprint Verification and performing the Verification process. An external audit is conducted following the guidelines of ISO 17029 and ISO 17065 for product verification
The Nature Impact Rating derives from the Global Sustainable Enterprise System (GSES) SPF scores. This independent, universal information label ensures consistent global sustainability product information. All major global certifications and eco-labels are integrated into the overarching GSES Score.
How is the score determined?
Each product is rated with zero to five green leaves. The fewer (negative) impacts a product carries, the higher its leaf count. For detailed insights into the scoring methodology, simply click the leaf icons next to our products.
GSES product
How does it work?
A product footprint’s score reflects the aggregation of the Environmental footprint, the Circular footprint, the Social footprint and the Health footprint. All footprints extract in the Sustainability Score for products: the Nature Impact Rating
Circular Footprint (CF)
The Circular Footprint (CF) is part of the GSES Sustainable Product Footprint certification scheme. The CF is based on existing standards such as the Material Circularity Indicator (MCI) of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the Material Reutilization ratio of Cradle to Cradle and the detachability index of the Dutch Green Building Council.
Health Footprint (HF)
The Health Footprint (HF) is a component of the GSES Sustainable Product Footprint certification. This footprint enables an assessment of risks of toxic substances associated with a product and its production process.
Environmental Footprint (EF)
The Environmental Footprint (EF) is part of the GSES Sustainable Product Footprint certification. The EF is based on existing life cycle assessment (LCA) standards: ISO14040, ISO14044, PEF, ISO14025 and EN15804. GSES has made some additions that have made the EF into a certifiable standard.
Social Footprint (SF)
Social Footprint is based on the ISO 26000 guideline. The KPI’s attached to a product regarding social claims are independetly verified.
GSES product
Sustainability score
Components of Nature Impact Rating
| ID | Symbol | Symbol discription | Discription |
|---|---|---|---|
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01. |
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Recyclable content in product after use |
The product can be recycled by separating its raw materials for reuse. |
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02. |
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Reusable product |
Reusable product can be reused without separating raw materials, maintaining its original form |
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03. |
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Compostable |
The product naturally breaks down, converting to water, CO2, and methane with the help of fungi and bacteria. |
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04. |
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(Free of) Toxins during Use |
The product may contain toxins that could be released during use, as per chemicals legislation (REACH) |
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05. |
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FSC Certified |
The product or its parts originate from responsibly managed forests. |
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06. |
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Carbon Footprint |
Carbon Footprint |
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07. |
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Water usage |
Water usage |
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08. |
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Environmental Cost Indicator |
Environmental Cost Indicator |
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09. |
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Energy usage |
Energy usage |
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10. |
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Made from Recycled Materials |
Made from Recycled Materials |
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11. |
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Made from Recycled Materials |
A percentage of the product or its parts is composed of recycled materials. |
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12. |
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Made from Renewable Materials |
A percentage of the product or its parts are sourced from renewable raw materials, which can be replenished quickly. |
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13. |
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Made from Biobased Materials |
A percentage of the product or its parts are crafted from renewable materials like starch, sugar, cellulose, lactic acid, proteins, or microorganisms. |
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14. |
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(Free of) Toxins in Production |
The production process may involve toxins that could be released, following chemicals legislation (REACH). |
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15. |
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Bill of Materials and additional reports |
Bill of Materials and additional reports |
GSES product score
Nature Impact Rating
The Nature Impact Rating reflects an expression derived from the Global Sustainable Enterprise System (GSES) Score. It operates as an independent, overarching information label aimed at informing consumers globally about product sustainability. The GSES System encompasses over 560 relevant global certificates and eco-labels
The Nature Impact Rating employs the Sustainable Product Footprint standard of GSES for the Nature Impact Rating calculation. This system incorporates a verified, comprehensive measurement framework that assesses a product’s impact on the planet at a product level. The sustainability of materials and production processes is evaluated. Verification and validation lead to a score—the Nature Impact Rating.
The Nature Impact Rating is presented alongside the products through a green leaves system. Ratings range from zero green leaves (minimal impact) to five green leaves (significant impact), including half leaves. This visual representation indicates the product’s environmental impact. The Nature Impact Rating can be used online as well as in physical stores.
Each product’s Nature Impact Rating considers:
- Product materials: recyclable, reusable, compostable, toxins in use process, FSC certified, carbon footprint, energy usage, water usage, ECI
- Production process: made from recycled/reused/renewable/biobased materials, toxins in production process
- Social KPIs of the brand/supplier that are verified
The number of green leaves, ranging from zero to five, signifies a product’s impact on the planet. Half leaves are also used. A higher number indicates a more positive impact. Validated products with zero leaves are shown to maintain transparency.
Yes, this falls within the Environmental Footprint. However, verified CO2 certification data for retail suppliers is not yet available. This may change in the future.
Products or components lacking measurement, verification, or validation will not display a score. This ensures only relevant information is presented.
No, the Nature Impact Rating pertains to a product’s impact on the planet, not its quality. Even a product with a low rating may possess positive elements that the retailers/wholesalers/brands aim to enhance gradually.
Yes, it can evolve through adjustments in material, packaging, production processes, and expanded measurement, verification, and validation efforts.
GSES product
Why this solution?
Assessing the environmental, circular, and health footprints of products offers several significant benefits:
01.
Transparency and Accountability
Footprint assessments provide clear and quantifiable data on a product's environmental impact, circularity, and health considerations. This transparency helps build trust among consumers, investors, and stakeholders by providing factual information about a product's sustainability.
02.
Informed Consumer Choices
Footprint assessments empower consumers to make informed purchasing decisions. By understanding the environmental and health implications of products, consumers can choose options that align with their values and preferences, driving demand for more sustainable products.
03.
Product Improvement
Footprint assessments empower consumers to make informed purchasing decisions. By understanding the environmental and health implications of products, consumers can choose options that align with their values and preferences, driving demand for more sustainable products.
04.
Reduced Environmental Impact
Footprint assessments help pinpoint "hotspots" in a product's lifecycle where the most significant environmental impacts occur. This information allows companies to focus their efforts on reducing these impacts, resulting in overall resource conservation and decreased pollution.
05.
Circular Economy Integration
Assessing circular footprints encourages a shift towards circular economy principles, such as product longevity, repairability, and recyclability. By considering the entire lifecycle of a product, companies can design products that minimise waste and maximise resource efficiency.
06.
Health and Safety Considerations
Evaluating health footprints ensures that products are safe for consumers, workers, and the environment. This approach encourages the use of non-toxic materials and processes, leading to healthier products and safer working conditions.
07.
Risk Mitigation and Compliance
Footprint assessments can help companies identify potential regulatory risks and ensure compliance with evolving environmental and health regulations. This proactive approach minimises legal and financial liabilities.
08.
Competitive Advantage
Companies that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability through rigorous footprint assessments can gain a competitive edge in the market. Such efforts resonate with environmentally conscious consumers and can attract a loyal customer base.
09.
Supply Chain Resilience
Evaluating footprints extends beyond individual products to the entire supply chain. This approach promotes greater supply chain transparency, resilience, and collaboration, reducing risks associated with resource scarcity and disruptions.
10.
Greenwashing Prevention
Verified Footprint assessments provide objective, standardised measures of sustainability performance. This helps combat greenwashing – the misleading portrayal of products as more environmentally friendly than they actually are – by offering verifiable data to back up sustainability claims.
In the context of combating greenwashing and achieving more sustainable supply chains and products, assessing footprints serves as a robust solution. By providing scientifically backed data and standardised metrics, footprint assessments offer a credible way to verify sustainability claims and differentiate genuine efforts from superficial ones. This promotes transparency and accountability across the supply chain, leading to more sustainable practices and products and ultimately contributing to a greener and healthier future.
