Sustainable labels & projects

Choosing the appropriate labels for your projects.

Labels

The labels listed below provide all relevant information related to environmental, health and quality aspects. Choosing labeled products leads to a more sustainable approach of your projects.

European Ecolabel

The European Ecolabel is a voluntary certification awarded to paint products that meet strict environmental and health criteria throughout their lifecycle, without compromising performance.

Paints certified with the European Ecolabel are formulated with very low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions, helping to preserve indoor air quality and reduce health risks such as irritation or respiratory discomfort. The certification also limits the use of hazardous substances, ensuring safer conditions for both painters during application and building occupants after use.

Beyond health benefits, the European Ecolabel promotes:

Reduced environmental impact during production
Controlled raw material selection
High durability and proven performance

REDcert²

REDcert² is a European sustainability certification scheme developed to ensure that biomass, biofuels, bioliquids and bio-based materials meet the sustainability and traceability requirements of the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED).

The certification guarantees that certified materials:

Originate from sustainably managed sources
Are fully traceable through the supply chain
Deliver verified greenhouse gas (GHG) emission savings
Do not come from land with high biodiversity value or high carbon stock

REDcert² applies mainly to industrial and chemical uses, including:

Bio-based raw materials
Bio-based solvents, binders, and intermediates
Downstream products using certified bio-based inputs

Cradle to Cradle Certified®

Cradle to Cradle Certified®(for Sigma Pearl Clean Matt) is a globally recognized certification that assesses products according to the principles of the circular economy, focusing on material health, circularity, clean energy, water stewardship, and social fairness. Rather than reducing negative impacts, Cradle to Cradle aims to create positive impact by ensuring products are designed to be safe, reusable, recyclable, or compostable, while supporting responsible resource use and ethical practices.

Certification is based on five key categories:

Material Health – materials are assessed for chemical safety and human health
Material Reutilization – products are designed for circular use (recycling or reuse)
Clean Air & Climate Protection – use of renewable energy and reduction of emissions Water & Soil Stewardship – responsible water management and protection of ecosystems
Social Fairness – respect for human rights and fair labor practices

Products are certified at five performance levels: Basic, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, encouraging continuous improvement over time. Choosing Cradle to Cradle Certified® products demonstrates a strong commitment to safe materials, circularity, environmental responsibility, and social impact.

CE marking

The CE marking is a mandatory conformity marking for products placed on the European Economic Area (EEA) market. It indicates that a product complies with all applicable European Union (EU) regulations and directives related to health, safety, performance, and environmental protection.

By affixing the CE mark, the manufacturer declares that the product has been assessed and found compliant with EU legal requirements, allowing it to be freely marketed and sold across Europe.

CE marking applies to a wide range of products, including construction products, paints and coatings, electrical equipment, machinery, and consumer goods, depending on the relevant regulation (e.g. Construction Products Regulation – CPR).

Key elements of CE marking include:

Compliance with applicable EU directives or regulations
Preparation of technical documentation
A Declaration of Performance (DoP) or Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
Third-party assessment where required

CE marking does not indicate product quality or origin, but it confirms that the product meets essential EU safety and regulatory requirements. For manufacturers, CE marking is a legal requirement and a key step to ensure market access, regulatory compliance, and user safety within the EU.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) certifications

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) certifications assess products based on their impact on indoor air pollution, particularly their emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other harmful substances.

Certified products are tested under standardized conditions to ensure they emit very low levels of pollutants, helping to protect human health and maintain healthy indoor environments. IAQ certifications are especially important for spaces where people spend long periods of time, such as homes, offices, schools, childcare facilities, and healthcare buildings.

For paints and coatings, IAQ certification confirms that the product:

Contributes to cleaner indoor air
Reduces the risk of irritation, allergies, and respiratory discomfort
Is suitable for sensitive and occupied environments
Complies with strict emission thresholds over time

Well-known IAQ certifications include national and international schemes that classify products according to their emission performance, supporting transparent, reliable, and comparable information for specifiers and consumers. Choosing IAQ-certified products demonstrates a commitment to health, comfort, and responsible formulation, while meeting growing regulatory and market expectations around indoor air quality.

Fire behavior certifications

Fire behavior certifications evaluate how construction products react when exposed to fire, helping to assess their contribution to fire safety in buildings.

These certifications classify products based on standardized fire performance tests, measuring criteria such as:

Ignitability
Flame spread
Heat release
Smoke production
Formation of flaming droplets or particles

In Europe, fire behavior is commonly classified under the Euroclass system (EN 13501-1), with ratings ranging from A1 (non-combustible) to F (no performance determined). Additional indicators specify smoke emission (s1 to s3) and burning droplets (d0 to d2). Fire behavior labeling enables architects, specifiers, and regulators to:

Ensure compliance with building regulations
Select materials appropriate for fire-safety requirements
Improve occupant safety and limit fire spread

For manufacturers, fire behavior certification demonstrates product compliance with applicable standards and reinforces trust, transparency, and regulatory conformity in the construction market.

HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points)

HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) is an internationally recognized food safety management system designed to identify, evaluate, and control hazards that could compromise food safety throughout the production process. Rather than relying solely on end-product testing, HACCP focuses on preventive control, addressing potential biological, chemical, and physical hazards at every stage—from raw material sourcing and processing to storage, transport, and distribution.

The HACCP system is built on seven core principles:

Identify potential hazards
Determine Critical Control Points (CCPs)
Establish critical limits
Set up monitoring procedures
Define corrective actions
Establish verification procedures
Maintain documentation and records

HACCP is mandatory in many countries, including throughout the European Union, and forms the foundation of most food safety standards and certifications.

By implementing HACCP, food businesses ensure:

Safer food products
Compliance with regulatory requirements
Reduced risk of contamination and recalls
Increased consumer confidence

HACCP demonstrates a strong commitment to food safety, process control, and public health protection.

Nordic Swan Ecolabel

The Nordic Swan Ecolabel is an official Type I environmental certification established by the Nordic Council of Ministers. It is one of the most stringent and trusted ecolabels worldwide, covering products and services with a proven low environmental and health impact across their entire lifecycle.

Products certified with the Nordic Swan Ecolabel must comply with strict criteria related to:

Climate and environmental impact
Use of hazardous chemicals
Energy and resource efficiency
Durability and performance
Health and safety for users

For paints, coatings, and construction-related products, the Nordic Swan Ecolabel ensures:

Very low VOC emissions and controlled chemical content
Minimal impact on indoor air quality
High performance without compromising environmental responsibility

Criteria are regularly tightened to reflect technological progress, encouraging continuous improvement and eco-innovation. Recognized primarily in Nordic countries and increasingly across Europe, the Nordic Swan Ecolabel helps consumers, professionals, and specifiers identify products that contribute to healthier living environments, reduced environmental footprint, and sustainable development. Choosing a Nordic Swan Ecolabel product demonstrates a strong commitment to environmental protection, human health, and high-quality standards.

BASAT®

BASAT® (BASF AgBalance® Assessment Tool) is a scientific sustainability assessment tool developed by BASF to evaluate the environmental, social, and economic impacts of products, technologies, or value chains. Rather than being a traditional certification label, BASAT® is a decision-support methodology based on life-cycle thinking. It allows companies to compare solutions and identify opportunities for sustainability improvements across the entire value chain — from raw materials to end use.

BASAT® assessments typically cover:

Environmental performance (climate impact, resource efficiency, emissions)
Social aspects (health & safety, working conditions, societal benefits)
Economic performance (cost efficiency, value creation)

The tool is used to:

Support eco-design and innovation
Guide responsible sourcing and formulation choices
Substantiate sustainability claims with robust, science-based analysis

Inform customers and stakeholders through transparent sustainability evaluations BASAT® is applied across various industries, including chemicals, agriculture, construction materials, and coatings, and is aligned with recognized standards such as life-cycle assessment (LCA) principles.

Using BASAT® demonstrates a commitment to quantified, evidence-based sustainability decision-making, supporting continuous improvement rather than simple pass/fail certification.

M1 label

The M1 label is a Finnish indoor air quality certification that classifies building materials based on their very low emissions into indoor air. It is part of the Finnish Emission Classification of Building Materials, widely recognized in Nordic and European construction markets. Products certified M1 meet the strictest emission requirements, ensuring they release minimal levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and do not negatively affect indoor air quality or occupant health.

For paints, coatings, and construction products, the M1 label guarantees:

Very low VOC emissions
No unpleasant or strong odors
Reduced risk of irritation and health discomfort
Suitability for sensitive environments such as homes, schools, hospitals, and childcare facilities

Testing is performed under standardized conditions, with emissions measured after application to reflect real indoor use.

The M1 label is frequently required or recommended in Nordic building specifications and supports the design of healthy, comfortable, and sustainable indoor environments.

Additional explanations on certification

VOC CONTENT

VOC CONTENT VOC content (Volatile Organic Compounds) refers to the amount of volatile chemicals such as petroleum-based solvents, present in paints and coatings formulation. It is typically expressed in grams per litre (g/L). The VOC content must meet regulatory limits (g/L) for paints, coatings, adhesives, and sealants and are declared in the product’s safety data sheet. Leading certification systems such as LEED, WELL, and BREEAM require compliance with strict VOC content limits for these product categories.

VOC Emissions

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), including substances like formaldehyde, are gases released from materials into indoor air. In paints and coatings, VOCs can be emitted both immediately after application and over time as the product ages.

Because these emissions affect indoor air quality, leading certification systems such as LEED, WELL, and BREEAM require independent laboratory testing. Emissions are measured at defined intervals (e.g. 3, 14, or 28 days) and reported in µg/m³ or mg/m³.

For paints this means:

Products must meet strict VOC emission limits verified by accredited labs
Both emissions (what’s released into the air) and content (VOC levels in wet paint) are regulated
Compliance can be demonstrated through recognized certifications such as Indoor Air Comfort Gold, EC1 Plus, or M1

Low-VOC and low-emission paints support healthier indoor environments and help projects achieve green building credits.

LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)

First published in 1998 by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC®), it is a voluntary evaluation system aimed at promoting and developing sustainability through a global approach, recognizing virtuous performance in key social, environmental, and health areas. LEED® is a rating system that measures and rewards building sustainability throughout the design, construction, and management process, considering and measuring environmental strategies related to energy and water savings, material characteristics, and occupant comfort.

LEED® is a certification system in constant transformation, continuously updated based on regulatory evolution and global sustainability goals, with new versions of the protocol published periodically.

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method)

It is a building sustainability assessment system first published by the BRE in 1990 in the United Kingdom. BREEAM® measures a range of parameters divided into categories, spanning from energy and water consumption to ecology, from transport sustainability to material selection, and from indoor environmental comfort to various types of pollution the building emits into the surrounding environment, as well as carbon emission reduction and building durability.

WELL (International WELL Building Institute)

Founded in 2013, this organization developed a certification system that promotes health and well-being in buildings and communities called the WELL Building Standard. It focuses on the elements of real estate design, construction, and management that directly and indirectly influence human health, evaluating occupant comfort and well-being to improve their quality of life. The elements considered by this standard range from acoustic, thermal-hygrometric, and visual comfort to nutrition and physical activity. WELL® certified spaces help create buildings that improve the nutrition, fitness, mood, sleep patterns, productivity, and performance of their occupants.

HQE- Haute Qualité Environnementale (High Environmental Quality)

HQE- Haute Qualité Environnementale (High Environmental Quality). It is a rigorous French certification system used to evaluate the environmental performance of buildings, urban planning, and infrastructure throughout their entire lifecycle. It’s built on 4 main themes, which are further broken down into 14 targets. These themes balance the building's impact on the planet with the health and comfort of the people inside. While it is the dominant standard in France, HQE is used in over 26 countries.

A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a standardized, scientific methodology used to evaluate the environmental impacts of a product, process, or service throughout its entire life cycle, from raw material extraction ("cradle") to disposal or recycling ("grave"). The aim is to document and improve the overall environmental profile by serving as a holistic baseline upon which carbon footprints can be accurately compared.

Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)

Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) is a specialized form of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) that focuses exclusively on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While a full LCA evaluates a wide range of environmental factors like water usage, land depletion, and toxicity, a PCF narrows that lens to measure a product’s total contribution to global warming.

Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)

An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is based on a Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the product to evaluate its potential environmental impact throughout its entire life cycle, according to the ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards. Every LCA provides a comprehensive overview of the product, enabling project teams to make more informed decisions regarding its environmental impacts. The LCA study serves as the foundation for the EPD, which is developed in compliance with ISO 14025 and EN 15804. An EPD is a document that outlines the environmental impacts (e.g., global warming potential, abiotic resource depletion, acidification potential, etc.) of a product or system in a standardized way. The methods for standardizing information for a specific product type are defined by the relevant Product Category Rule (PCR).

EPDs also contribute to the BREEAM NC International Mat01 - Life cycle impacts credit or the BREEAM International RFO Mat 01 Environmental impact of materials - Option 2: Elemental assessment of environmental performance information credit. The goal of this credit is to recognize and encourage the use of robust and appropriate life-cycle assessment tools and, consequently, the specification of construction materials with a low environmental impact throughout the building's life cycle.

The availability of a product-specific Type III EPD for paints and coatings contributes to this credit, which allows for up to 6 points through two different options:

The first option is based on the output values derived from a calculation tool, using the LCA values (extracted from the EPD) of the construction products installed in the building.
The second option requires the permanent installation of at least 5 products with EPDs originating from different construction product sectors. For this criterion, the EPDs must be valid and compliant with ISO 14025, ISO 21930, or EN 15804.