In this post:
Costs involved with the Cradle to Cradle Certified™ process
Private Label Trademark License with C2C Certification
There are two posts, before this one:
1. How do you “Do the Homework”? You start by finding help……
2. Work with your Assessor to collect the Data = the Homework
…a list at the bottom of other posts the talk about Cradle to Cradle Certified™
picture above: Vidar Clay Shingles from Komproment ApS, after construction project, decided to go completely Cradle to Cradle Certified™
Path Cradle to Cradle Certified™/3 The Cost
Now that the Cradle to Cradle Certificate is a world standard, Mr. Albin Kälin, who founded EPEA Switzerland (one of 15 firms worldwide that are accredited general assessors for the Cradle to Cradle Certified™ certification) continues to help describe what such a journey involves today.
For some, no doubt, the cost is the first question………..These 15 Accredited Assessment companies are opening new ground for many. There are lots of other kinds of Certification organizations around the globe for any level of clarification that you might want for your company. As much as the Sustainability, Closing-the-loop, Circular Economy issues may be new to many people, there are those have been working on it for almost 30 years in some cases….but there are millions of products to go.
What this means is that the “how you get where you need to go” is still a wide open uncharted journey for many. There are millions of products and industries out there and since the competition is both an environmental race and marketing issues, these 15 companies may be willing to negotiate in some way. …………..I do not know…..
Keep an open mind when you talk to them
– “a question not asked, is a door not opened”. Maybe your product is so revolutionary or from such a new area of industry, that one of these companies would like to take a stake in it and invest in what you are doing, or they may know someone who does.
Free Enterprise is a wide open concept.
Anything may be possible.
3. COST – ath Cradle to Cradle Certified™/3 The Cost
A. PRICE OF DOING “THE HOMEWORK”
Assessment/evaluation costs are the bulk of the expense and investment. They vary by product type, complexity, and the amount of work needed to collect the information for the assessment.
your Accredited Assessor/Evaluator costs – will vary dramatically. I have asked for some indication of what this cost might be. I understand that due to the vast variety that our world of products includes and the development process for a product, it is almost impossible to state an estimate without knowing more. To-date, there are 15 independent companies that do this work. The Costs will be negotiated based on the amount of work involved with the assessor body.
Perhaps the fee would be as low as $10,000. Maybe that sum can be negotiated. Since a young company / small business owner faces a “no capital” situation, there might be a small down-payment and then a percentage from future sales turn-over, until the fee is paid.
As many such projects involve existing medium size companies that are beginning to re-think their entire production and product development, the fee could be as much as $30,000 – $100,000+.
Before these figures cause you to look away – remember. These 15 companies must each be willing to negotiate. Talk. Keep an open mind – “a question not asked, is a door not opened”.
When you review their websites or talk to them by phone they will tell you what is possible…..
B. PRICE OF CRADLE TO CRADLE CERTIFICATION
The price of a certification will depend on various factors, including the number of substances in the materials that make up the product, the number of production sites at which the product is completed, and the degree to which we want our assistance with data collection, completion of application forms, development of optimization strategies etc.
If you want to get a rough price estimate for your particular product, it is easiest to have a non-binding meeting with us where we can inquire about the product.
Price example : certification of a product or product group containing 10-15 different chemicals will cost around DKK 100,000. The price includes project management, conducting site visits at one production site and preparation of one assessment report as well as assistance with data collection to a limited extent.
New certification
The price for Cradle to Cradle certification for new certification is composed of the following elements:
-Material assessment, fixed price per unique CAS numbers
-Process evaluation, incl. project management, site visit (company visit) and preparation of assessment report
-Data collection and documentation
–Seperately, the the certificate registration fee
B. PRICE OF YOUR CERTIFICATE – Path Cradle to Cradle Certified™/3
The Certification fees are relatively low by industry standards.
The final certification fee is $3600 or €3150 which covers the new product’s application fee, the first two years of certification and the maintenance in the Certified Product Registry, at Cradle to Cradle, C2CPII institute.
Then re-certification (every two years) is $2000 or €1750.
Path Cradle to Cradle Certified™/3 The Cost
Do you know? that it is possible to get
the use of an existing C2CC certified Product and the Certificate for your own business?
Of course you first must approach the OEM (original [equipment] manufacturer) owner of the C2CC product and negotiate a license with them. With that and your promise that the product will be manufactured to the exact standard as the Original, the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute will register you a Private Label certificate. All the information to do so is on the Institute website.
PRIVATE LABEL TRADEMARK LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION
If a product is already certified by one company (the original equipment manufacturer), and another company wishes to sell the identical product under its own private label (i.e., brand name) and use the certification mark, the private label company must also apply for certification and engage in a trademark license agreement with the C2CPII. As part of the process, the original equipment manufacturer must sign a disclosure that the product sold under the private label is identical to the original product in all ways other than name and packaging.
Private Label Product Certification Application (Prorated initially to align with the parent product certification period) $3000 or €2625
Mr. Kälin: In the case of a Private Label Certification, I, also, suggest that you contact an accredited assessor to discuss the details involved. Even if it is only one phone conversation, it will help you get through, also, this process with more ease and clarity. Talk to one of us, even before you contact the owner of the original product. We might have some advice about how to approach them.
About Circular Shift
The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute is proud to present Circular Shift, its annual summit. Circular Shift unites some of industry’s best known leaders in a tangible exploration of approaches and strategies to innovate for a circular future. It will provide insights into latest practices and innovations, powered by the Cradle to Cradle Certified® Products Program. Each attendee will engage with quality content and grow their understanding of current solutions and practical directions for their future work.
2022 – Hosted at the innovative landmark building Capital C in Amsterdam on 8 June, the Circular Shift summit convened over 130 leaders to share inspiration and demonstrate novel practices for the transition to circular systems and sustainable business models. The event was proudly presented by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute.
Circular Shift is a cross-sectoral event attracting decision makers from a diverse range of stakeholders and sectors, including built environment, furniture, fashion, textiles, cosmetics, personal care, cleaning products, electronics, automotive and packaging.
remember……….
When it comes to “cost”, Keep an open mind
– “a question not asked, is a door not opened” –
Free Enterprise is a wide open concept. Anything is possible.
Path Cradle to Cradle Certified™/3 The Cost
Nature is a totally efficient, self-regenerating system. If we discover the laws that govern this system and live synergistically within them, sustainability will follow and humankind will be a success.
R. Buckminster Fuller
There are a number of posts that talk about Cradle to Cradle Certified™:
Cradle to Cradle Certified™ – paving the way
>Path to Cradle to Cradle Certified™ – #1 How to get ready to “Do the Homework”?
>Path to Cradle to Cradle Certified™ #2 – the Homework
>Path Cradle to Cradle Certified™ – #3 The Cost
Product Design Review – The verdict: Form should still follow Function*
Do you know your Business’s Carbon Footprint?
Part #2 – Financing a Small Business in a Sustainable/Circular Economy