Circular Product Design Certification (Cradle to Cradle Certified)

What is this programme?

Cradle to Cradle Certified covers any physical product that can be routinely purchased. From the V5 Standard (published 10 February 2026, effective 16 March 2026), the Institute derives three product-level certificate types: Full Scope, Material Health, Circularity (in c2ccertified.org's own words: "From the V5 Standard, we derive our family of product certifications: Full Scope, Material Health, and Circularity"). A separate, facility-level programme, "C2C Certified® Listed Facility," also exists and is not derived from the V5 product standard — it should not be confused with the product certification.

Who is it for?

Manufacturers seeking to make a product circularity/material health claim.

Who issues the certificate?

Assessment is carried out by a network of Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) established by the Institute. Whether these CABs are additionally subject to independent external accreditation (such as ISO/IEC 17065) was not confirmed in this round — classified cautiously, similar to the WRAP/OEKO-TEX model.

What to verify before you accept it

Establish which certificate type is requested (Full Scope, Material Health, Circularity); confirm the CAB is listed in the Institute's own network.

What triggers an assessment?

• A circularity/material health claim will be made for a product.
• A buyer or brand names Cradle to Cradle Certified specifically.

What does it not replace?

• Should not be assumed to follow the same ISO/IEC 17065-accredited independent-body model as GOTS or GLOBALG.A.P.; the CAB accreditation basis was not confirmed in this round.
• It is not a management system certificate; it is a product-level certification.