Innovations for a sustainable lifestyle
Scorecard for product development
With a new central function for concept development and design we bring additional strength to our brands also in relation to sustainability. In our product development, we use a sustainability scorecard to assess materials, work on design and assess the sustainability performance of the product. In that way, our products are put before a range of questions the responses to which allow us to reduce the environmental impact of products during their life cycle. Our objective now is for all our new kitchen products to enable the customer to live more sustainably and the scorecard has a central role in our new sustainability strategy.
Eco-labelling
Products that are eco-labelled, i.e. inspected and approved based on clear environmental requirements, are valuable in helping our customers make good choices for the environment. We offer Nordic Swan eco-labelled products, as well as products that meet eco-building standards such as the BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) and Nordic Swan eco-labelled buildings. 92 per cent of our products that were newly introduced to the Nordic market during the year were Nordic Swan eco-labelled products. In Sweden and Norway, where the largest share of our range is of eco-labelled, 50 per cent of the sales value came from Nordic Swan eco-labelled products in 2022.
Furthermore, we offer products that meet local labelling standards in our various markets. We are also in the process of increasing our product range of FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council®) FSC® -C100100 or PEFC™ (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification™) certified products, i.e. products containing wood from third-party certified sustainable sources with full traceability all the way to the end consumer. FSC® and PEFC™ certification means higher protection for sustainable forestry and counteracts deforestation. 100% of our cabinets and fronts in our Dutch business are already FSC® certified with full traceability to customers, and during the year we also achieved a corresponding 100% certification of our cabinets and fronts in the UK.
Energy-efficient appliances
Appliances are one the product groups in the home that consumes the most energy. In our CO2 assessment of our value chain, usage of appliances was also one of the steps in the chain with highest CO2 footprint. Our goal is therefore to offer the most energy efficient appliances, thereby reducing our customer’s energy consumption and related climate impact.
Product safety
Product safety is a linchpin in our work. Safety and ergonomics are taken into consideration in all our product development. Before a new product enters the production phase, relevant tests are carried out both in-house and by accredited testing institutions in line with EU standards. In Nobia UK, all our cabinets and doors are rigorously tested in line with the Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA) furniture requirements.