Interview with TÜV Rheinland
The value add of ecolabels
TÜV Rheinland’s Susanne Jorre and Norbert Heidelmann talk about the importance of credible green labels, the benefits of external validation, and what distinguishes GEA’s Add Better label from other Type II ecolabels.
What is the role of an ecolabel such as GEA’s Add Better?
Susanne Jorre:Ecolabels are increasingly relevantas a waytoinformcustomers/consumersandprovideguidancefor companiesintheirprocurement processes.They also helpachieve the goals of the EU Green Deal,which requiresthatgreenhouse gas emissions in the consumer and industrial sectors be significantly reduced.GEA's Type II label(Add Better)representsa very importantstepherebecause it canhelptosignificantly reduce emissions andresourceconsumptionin the industrial sector.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of an ecolabel?
NorbertHeidelmann:The challenge is to distinguish good and credible labels from misleading ones.Afundamental weaknesses oftheType II ecolabelis the self-declarationaspect, which does not requireindependent verification. Thiscan result in one-sided messages that mislead customers.GEA’s Add Better processis in accordancewith ISO 14021 and follows the strict criteria set out there to ensure a significant reduction in energyand/orresourceconsumption.And althoughit was notrequired,GEAalsochose to involve an independent verification institution– in this case TÜVRheinland–to increase the credibility of the label.It is important togivethe reliableand trustworthy labelsthe attention they deserve, because innovative solutionsare critical to achievingglobal climatetargets.
Norbert Heidelmann
Norbert Heidelmann heads the Climate and Energy Department at TÜV Rheinland headquarters in Cologne, Germany. He brings 30 years of research and business experience on energy efficiency and renewable energy to the development of carbon/greenhouse gas mechanisms and emissions trading schemes.
Sussane Jorre
Susanne Jorre is an sustainability expert at TÜV Rheinland. There, she is primarily involved in life cycle assessment, process and product optimization, and corporate carbon footprints, and assists companies on their way to climate neutrality.
What was TÜV’s role in the Add Better process and how did it improve the end product?
NH: In addition to verifyingthat GEA’s product evaluation isinaccordancewithDIN EN ISO 14021 (2016 + A1:2021),our validation is based on ensuringthecomprehensibility,transparencyandconsistencyof GEA’s analysis,andmaking sure the scopeisclearly defined.We alsovalidatedthe first pilot studiesused toapply themethodology.Anexternal review always improves the traceability and transparency of the documentation andcancorrect anyproblems or inconsistencies in thecalculation.We placed particular emphasis ondocumentation becauseit’simportant for customers and otherinterested partiesto have access to a transparent record; italsoserves as the basis for future updatesandupgrades. All of this helped add value toGEA’sAdd Better label.
What has been your experience of working with GEA?
SJ: We were initially surprised by GEA’s decision toseekadditional, external validationsince this is notnecessaryfor this type ofecolabel. Butit became clear thatthisfitsinto theiroverallapproach.Sustainability is much more thanjust a ‘talking point’ for GEA. Theirtop management has committed toan ambitious sustainability strategy and set concrete targets in line with thestrategy.In theprocess of developingthe Add Better label, communicationbetweenGEAand TÜVRheinlandwas openand direct. GEA was always grateful for our feedback andcriticisms–andvery straightforward aboutimplementingthe necessarychanges.
It is important to give the reliable and trustworthy labels the attention they deserve, because innovative solutions are critical to achieving global climate targets.
Norbert Heidelmann, TÜV Rheinland
Interview with Stefan Klebert
The Chief Executive Officer of GEA explains how the company’s new Add Better label can strengthen partnerships and accelerate progress towards sustainability targets.
Interview with Nadine Sterley
GEA’s Chief Sustainability Officer talks about the process behind Add Better, the importance of robust sustainability data, and next steps for Add Better.
Add Better:
