Sustainability & CSR
Environment Corporate Social Responsibility management ensures continual development and progress, where it matters. The external audits and certification listed, assure that this is our priority and that we will continue to report transparently on key metrics regarding our culture, operations and stakeholder engagement.
ISO 14001
ISO 14001 sets out the criteria for an Environmental Management System (EMS) and maps out a framework for a company to follow in setting up an effective EMS.
BES 6001
BES 6001 is a framework Standard from BRE Global, for Responsible Sourcing, along with an associated independent third-party certification scheme. BES 6001 will help organisations manage and reduce the impacts throughout the supply chain. The scheme is recognised by the BREEAM family of certification schemes and the Code for Sustainable Homes where credits can be awarded for construction products independently certified through BES 6001.
SA 8000
SA 8000 is an international certification standard that requires organisations to develop, maintain and apply socially acceptable practices in the workplace.
ISO 45001
ISO 45001 is a framework for an occupational health and safety management system.
What this means for you
Our certification gives you peace of mind on matters that matter to all of us as businesses and consumers. We all want to purchase best quality products and services from ethical, responsible and caring companies.
Environmental Life Cycle Analysis & Eco Labels
Environmental LCAs are important in understanding a product’s environmental performance over its entire journey, from materials sourced and used to the end of life. Every product has an environmental impact. An LCA therefore, helps identify each critical step, associated impact and performance.
BRE
The BRE (Building Research Establishment) is an independent organisation which evaluates the environmental impact of a product. Using a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) over a building life of 60 years, materials are assessed on their impact against a series of environmental criteria and performance is rated from A+ to E. Individual assessments relate to specific production data for the product, whereas generic ratings are derived from industry-wide production data and averaged.
IBU EPD
Polyflor’s product specific EPDs are verified by IBU (Institut Bauen und Umwelt e.V.) - an independent, environmental organisation which works closely with construction and environmental authorities in Germany. Product specific EPDs available on www.ibu-epd.com/en/published-epds
ERFMI EPD
Generic EPDs are available via ERFMI (European Resilient Flooring Manufacturers’ Institute), which provide transparency on environmental impacts. Generic EPDs available on www.ibu-epd.com/en/published-epds
INIES FDES
INIES provides environmental and health declarations of products for evaluating the performance of construction works. The INIES FDES is an independent third-party audit. To view FDES, visit www.inies.fr
GreenTag
GreenTag is Ecospecifier’s Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) and Polyflor’s products are certificated to meet GreenTag requirements.
Singapore Green Building Product
The Singapore Green Building Product (SGBP) scheme is a certification for green building products and materials. It is based on scientific and engineering principles and built upon the collective knowledge and expertise of the building and construction industry.
Friendly Materials
Friendly Materials is an analytical assessment methodology that evaluates and objectively compares how building materials and building systems affect indoor areas: It promotes transparency within the building materials’ industry.
What this means for you
Our products’ LCAs and Eco Labels give you a better understanding of all the associated environmental impacts and how they perform, helping you to compare products and make informed choices for specification.
Recycling
Recycling has always been important to us and continues to be a top priority. In operating our own recycling schemes as well as being part of external recycling initiatives, we are committed to minimising this sector’s environmental impact and embracing Circular Economy principals.
Recofloor
Polyflor is co-founder and owner of Recofloor the UK’s leading recycling scheme for smooth and safety offcuts and uplifted smooth vinyl flooring. This scheme is also used in Australia, New Zealand and Iceland.
Polyflor RVF SA
The Polyflor Recycling Vinyl Flooring scheme is an independent recycling scheme in South Africa, collecting waste Polyflor vinyl flooring.
AgPR
We work with AgPR (Arbeitsgemeinschaft PVC-Bodenbelag) to reclaim recycled vinyl flooring waste from Germany/EU.
Recovinyl
Recovinyl is a PVC recycling scheme, set up to encourage companies to recycle post-consumer PVC. The aim of the scheme is to increase the amount of PVC recycled by establishing sustainable collection and processing arrangements.
What this means for you
Using one of our recycling schemes, or an affiliated scheme helps to avoid the concern of needlessly sending waste to landfill. You are improving your carbon footprint and could be saving money too. The Recofloor scheme, for instance, could save up to 70% for arranged collections (compared to landfill), or it is FOC when using one of our participating distributors. Recycling your Polyflor flooring helps with site waste management plans and may contribute towards credits for ‘waste’ on a BREEAM assessment.
Health
We want our floor coverings to be healthy for the environment and for our customers. Our ranges are non-shedding and do not harbour dust. They do not contain harmful substances; are REACH compliant and are certified to assure very low VOC emissions for best indoor air comfort and quality.
IAC
Indoor Air Comfort (IAC) product certification by Eurofins, provides compliance to low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) emissions requirements of European specifications. Indoor Air Comfort Gold certification shows a higher level of compliance, meeting criteria of many voluntary specifications issued by most relevant ecolabels and similar specifications in the EU. This is ‘best in class’ and good for indoor air quality, posing no risk to health.
FloorScore®
FloorScore®product certification by SCS Global, ensures that certified flooring meets strict indoor air quality (IAQ) emissions criteria of LEED; CHPS; The Green Guide for Health Care, and is recognised by a long list of healthy building programmes.
Afsset
Afsset (L’Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire de L’Environment et du Travail) tests construction products compliance to the French Government’s regulations regarding VOC and formaldehyde emissions.
M1
M1 is the short version name of the Finnish voluntary emission classification of building materials. M1 is the lowest VOC emission class of that system.
REACH
REACH is a European Union regulation concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation & Restriction of Chemicals. No harmful substances added, such as formaldehyde; asbestos and heavy metals. Plasticisers used by Polyflor are not classified substances and do not need authorisation under REACH. A range of mostly non-phthalate and ortho-phthalate plasticisers used across Polyflor’s vinyl collection.
What this means for you
You will also improve well-being and comfort with beautiful designs and clean indoor air quality, attainable through our low VOC products with further reduced VOC emissions from the maintenance regime.
Environmental Listings
Polyflor products are listed on various databases specifically for sustainable products, making specification options easier for green build projects.
DGNB
Our EPDs are listed on the DGNB database DGNB (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen e.V. / German Sustainable Building Council), which promotes sustainable and economically efficient buildings for the future.
BASTA
Polyflor has registered, approved products on the BASTA database, BASTA is a non-profit organisation owned by IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute and The Swedish Construction Federation.
Ecospecifier
Polyflor is registered to Ecospecifier, a guide to eco and health preferable products, materials and technologies for the built environment.
mindful MATERIALS
Our products are listed on the mindful MATERIALS platform, a design industry initiative that enables manufacturers to clearly communicate transparency of products’ sustainability and health via the product certification library.
What this means for you
These environmental listings offer another 3rd party validation for peace of mind, also making it easier for you to specify environmentally sound products for your project.
Memberships & Associations
We like to be in the mix and keep abreast of current or potential issues and challenges, both within the industry and on wider environmental matters. This enables us to engage with stakeholders and react better to customer demands.
VinylPlus
VinylPlus is the voluntary sustainable development programme of the European PVC industry. It aims to create a long-term sustainability framework for the entire PVC value chain.
PVC Stewardship (Australia)
Polyflor Australia is a signatory to The Vinyl Council of Australia Product Stewardship Program. This program has voluntary commitments focused on Best Practice Manufacturing, Safe and Sustainable use of additives, Energy and Greenhouse Gas Management, Resource Efficiency and Transparency and Engagement. The commitments ensure that the entire process from raw materials through to end of life of vinyl products is reviewed and addressed to minimise environmental and safety issues within the vinyl industry, on a local and global scale. Visit www.vinyl.org.au/sustainability/stewardship
Kaléi
Kaléi works with the government and informs its members on regulations and standards and partakes in environmental policy, with a commitment to sustainable development.
UKRFA
UKRFA (United Kingdom Resilient Flooring Association – UK trade association for the resilient flooring sector.
ERFMI
ERFMI (European Resilient Flooring Manufacturers’ Institute – ensures the maintenance of high ethical standard within the industry.
SAVA
The Southern African Vinyls Association (SAVA) is a representative body for the local vinyl industry fulfilling an active role in the sustainability of the industry.
New Zealand Green Building Council
The Green Building Council is a non-profit, non-government, membership organisation covering more than 90 countries. The body’s main aim is to facilitate dialogue between industry and government to promote sustainability in the construction sector.
What this means for you
By our involvement and networking with these key stakeholder organisations, we are part of these communities and can stay on top of issues that matter most to you and better meet your demands.