The VinylPlus® Product Label is a guiding tool making it easy for public and private buyers looking to select PVC products with the best sustainability profile.
The VinylPlus® Product Label is a well-recognised Europe-wide sustainability certification scheme for PVC products in building and construction sectors. Durable, robust and recyclable, PVC is a versatile material used in myriad long-life and low-maintenance building products, from window profiles to pipes.
The VinylPlus® Product Label makes it simple for public and private procurers alike to choose and shop responsibly for high-performing and sustainable PVC products that contribute to a Circular Economy.
Launched in 2018 by VinylPlus®, the European PVC industry’s Commitment to sustainable development, and developed in collaboration with the Building Research Establishment (BRE), the VinylPlus® Product Label is awarded to VinylPlus partner companies whose overall policy and performance, as well as component materials used for products, fulfil 20 key sustainability criteria.
These criteria include responsible sourcing of PVC resin and additives, controlled loop management and recycling, as well as sustainable energy policies, and organisational and supply chain management obligations.
In 2021, the VinylPlus® Product Label was recognised as the first Responsible Sourcing Certification Scheme (RSCS) dedicated to plastic building and construction products in both BREEAM® and Home Quality Mark (HQM), owned by BRE.
BREEAM® is the world’s most used sustainability assessment method for measuring the environmental, social and economic sustainability performance of buildings, from planning projects and infrastructures to buildings. HQM is a certification scheme which helps UK housebuilders to demonstrate the quality and sustainability performance of their new homes.
Thanks to BRE’s tough yet successful assessment of the VinylPlus® Product Label, owners of buildings using PVC products certified with any versions of the VinylPlus scheme can achieve higher BREEAM® and HQM scores. This helps them to increase the market value of their BREEAM® and HQM-certified assets.
Continued recognition and use of the VinylPlus® Product Label has contributed to its success across the UK and Europe. Currently, a total of 149 PVC products manufactured by 11 converters in 22 European plants are certified.