SGS is pleased to announce Midea Laundry Appliances, part of the Midea Group, has been awarded the world’s first life cycle assessment (LCA) verification certificate for a washing machine.
The LCA verification certificate recognizes the efforts made by manufacturers in creating more sustainable products. It provides market authorities and consumers with an independently verified assessment of the true sustainability of a product.
The verification process includes a thorough assessment of the evaluation methods employed to create the product’s ISO 14040/14044 life cycle study report. Experts consider a wide variety of potential influencing factors, such as abiotic resource consumption (ADP), abiotic resource consumption (fossil fuels) (ADP-fossil fuels), global warming (GWP 100), ozone layer depletion (ODP), human toxicity (TEP), freshwater aquatic ecological toxins (FAETP), marine aquatic ecological toxicity (MAETP) and terrestrial ecotoxicity (TETP). Verification of these results provides an indication of the environmental impact a product will have during its life cycle, from the acquisition of raw materials and pre-processing to manufacture, distribution, primary use and end-of-life. The verification result is a trusted assessment of the product’s true sustainability value.
Midea Laundry Appliances received the SGS LCA verification certification following an evaluation of two front-loading washing machine models. The company is at the forefront of sustainability improvements for washing machines, particularly in regard to eco-packages, use of recycled materials, microfiber catchers and energy efficiency.
Keith Hutchinson, Deputy Director of Global Certification for SGS Connectivity and Products, presented the SGS LCA verification certificate to Ms. Shen Wenjie, Midea European Regional Director, during a special ceremony conducted at the 99th International Consumer Electronics and Home Appliances Exhibition (IFA) in Berlin, Germany.
Commenting on the award, Mr. Hutchinson said: “Awarding the world’s first SGS LCA verification certificate for a washing machine to Midea Laundry is a clear demonstration of their commitment to sustainability. It is only through dedication, effort and hard work that they have been able to create products that meet the strict provisions of this internationally recognized sustainability evaluation scheme.”
SGS LCA verification certification can be applied to all consumer electronic products, from cookers and refrigerators to electric kettles and air fryers. Certification acts as proof of sustainability, enabling competitive advantage in increasingly regulated markets. The assessment process also provides valuable insights that can be fed back into the development process to allow manufacturers to constantly improve sustainability in their product ranges.
Learn more about SGS life cycle assessment solutions:
For further information please contact:
Keith Hutchinson
Deputy Head,
C&P Global Certification, SGS
t:+44 (0) 7889 939 812
© SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA.
