LONGTIME® Label – Transparency
This section contains all the information you need to understand the LONGTIME® certification process. The aim is to be as transparent as possible, as requested by consumers and, in the near future, by member states in the fight against greenwashing.
The LONGTIME® label, an environmental claim
The LONGTIME® label is an environmental sustainability label based on an environmental labeling system. It has been developed in accordance with the principles of the ISO14020 series of standards, in particular ISO14021 and ISO14024 . By producing the explicit environmental claim “Designed to last”, and thanks to its intuitive logo, the LONGTIME® label enables producers to communicate the environmental performance of their products, and more specifically on the notion of lifespan. The environmental claim is linked to the product as a whole and verifies, via a public benchmark of 41 criteria, that the product is sustainable in the sense of reliability, robustness and repairability.
In addition to sustainability, the LONGTIME® label verifies the following aspects to be sure that the labelled products are virtuous in each of the important life cycle phases:
- PR1: Health, safety and environmental protection
- PR2: Energy performance
- PR3: Equipment end-of-life management
Why study product durability?
Product sustainability is an essential strategy in the fight against waste, the rational use of resources and the reduction of the environmental impact of consumer products and capital goods. A number of national and European studies have shown thatextending product lifetimes is a major environmental issue with a significant impact on life-cycle analysis.
ADEME’s studies on “Extending product lifespan” and “Modelling and assessing environmental impacts of consumer products and capital goods” demonstrates and underlines that extending product lifetimes is a relevant approach to reducing and/or amortizing environmental impact right from the manufacturing phase.
Encouraging responsible consumption, promoting product repair and maintenance, and combating programmed obsolescence are all strategies that can be implemented to help preserve the environment and build a sustainable future.
By extending the useful life of products, we can reduce pressure on natural resources, limit greenhouse gas emissions and save energy.
How are the label criteria set?
The 41 criteria of the LONGTIME® reference system, as well as the sector-specific reference systems, have been drawn up by Ethikis’ life extension experts. The cross-referencing and analysis of all the information collected should enable us to gain as detailed an understanding as possible of the sustainability issues associated with each product family. By identifying market standards and best practices (BAT), Ethikis teams define specific criteria and demanding thresholds.
All interested parties – manufacturers, consumer associations, repairers, environmental associations, etc. – were consulted on the publication of the base standards.
This process is once again in place for the V2 edition of the LONGTIME® reference system.
The LONGTIME® reference system is based on European standards EN 45552 and EN 45554. As far as possible, the various criteria and their methods of proof draw on methodological standards for measuring the fitness for purpose of electrical products and/or safety standards.
To define the specific requirements for each product family, LONGTIME® technical experts call on specialist networks wherever possible to enrich their knowledge. In this way, the LONGTIME® sector benchmarking process follows a precise schedule in line with the MEErP methodological principles (intended for studies into the eco-design of energy-related products).
During the various phases,all interested parties are approached via interviews (surveys, polls, physical or telephone meetings). These specialists include :
- The producers
- Distributors
- Professional federations
- Repairers
- Professional users
- Spare parts professionals
- Consumer associations
- End-users
Over time, the LONGTIME® label teams have developed trusted partnerships with specialized entities to make data collection smoother and more robust.
At the same time, a bibliographical and regulatory study is systematically carried out to gather and cross-reference as much information as possible.
To guarantee the highest possible standards, all our standards are revised on average every 3 years, and at the latest every 5 years, as specified in the general conditions for certification. Following this review, the criteria or the level of requirements for the criteria may change. In the event of a technological or regulatory change, or a significant discovery in the sustainability environment, the standards may be revised without waiting for the revision date.
LONGTIME® label requirements in relation to current legislation.
LONGTIME® is an international label. The label’s criteria and thresholds systematically take current legislation into account. In most cases, the LONGTIME® label is more demanding than current regulations.
However, when regulations appear to be sufficiently demanding, or depending on certain national specificities, some of the label’s criteria may exceptionally be on a par with regulatory systems.
We have developed a contextual analysis by geographic zone for all our criteria in order to verify this principle.
Types of data studied for product certification
During the LONGTIME® certification audit, primary and secondary data are verified by the auditor.
To ensure the robustness of the environmental claim, the auditor favors the collection of primary data, considered more reliable and credible because they are specific to the product or service in question.
This data must be relevant, accurate and verifiable.
Primary data refers to specific, direct information about the environmental impact of a product or service. These data generally come from specific research, studies or analyses.
Secondary data, on the other hand, is general information or references to external sources that are not specific to the product or service in question.
Primary data
Test results
Product-specific longevity test results, laboratory test results: data on expected product life, based on strength, durability and performance tests. Product degradation test results: data on product resistance to various environmental conditions over time. Product-specific performance tests: data on efficacy, durability, resistance or other product-specific characteristics.
Environmental data
Specific data on greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, etc., measured directly on the product.
Repair and reuse rates
Statistics on the frequency with which the product is repaired or reused by consumers, if such data is collected by the manufacturer.
Preventive maintenance studies
Data on preventive maintenance recommendations to extend product life.
Product version history
List of product versions with information on durability improvements.
ISO 9001 quality certification
All data contained in technical and contractual documentation relating to product durability
Functional analysis tool, internal product data sheet, design study (ETC) (function/materials/usage constraints), internal quality and production control reports, product parts list, exploded diagram, FMEA, general sales and warranty conditions including those of distributors, distribution contract, list of sub-assemblies and spare parts available for sale, information media supplied to consumers/repairers.
Secondary data
Reports on energy consumption trends
Information on national or regional energy consumption trends that are not product-specific, sector comparisons of energy efficiency: comparative data
Recommendations from environmental organizations
Generic statements by environmental organizations on the need to reduce carbon footprints with no direct link to the product.
Reports and statistics on repair and reuse practices
Information on trends in product repair and reuse, taken from government reports or non-governmental organizations. Studies on programmed obsolescence: data from studies and reports on programmed obsolescence in the industry, and analysis of sustainability trends. Statistics on the average life of products in the industrial sector.
Recommendations from consumer organizations
General advice on extending product life from respected consumer organizations.
The LONGTIME environmental label takes the use phase into account
The LONGTIME® label is applicable to a very wide range of manufactured goods. However, most labelled products are electrical or electronic products, which necessarily generate environmental impacts during use.
The LONGTIME® reference system deals extensively with this phase. Several criteria and sub-criteria are dedicated to it, in particular criterion PR.2. Energy and/or environmental performance. This criterion defines demanding energy consumption, input or emission thresholds, and always checks whether the manufacturer is effectively promoting the responsible use of its product.
What is the LONGTIME® labeling system?
The LONGTIME® environmental labelling system, its awarding and use, is based on a strict certification system via an independent, third-party inspection body. The membership and labeling conditions are publicly accessible in their entirety via the “Conditions de labellisation” document, available on request by e-mail.
The LONGTIME® label is open to all types of company, regardless of size or origin.
The fees and cost of the labeling procedure have been designed to be incentive-based and non-discriminatory, so as not to exclude small and medium-sized businesses. Fees are calculated on the basis of sales of the labelled product(s), in proportion to company size and sales. Over 70% of our customers are SMEs.
To be eligible for a label certificate and use of the label, applicants must meet all the conditions for awarding the label. This includes the validation of all the criteria of the industry standard relating to products evaluated in “pass or fail” mode. This methodology makes it possible to guarantee that, with regard to the environmental aspects that are the subject of the label claim, the labeled product performs significantly better than current practice for products in the product category concerned.
In this case, and only in this case, the inspection body will issue a certification certificate .
The LONGTIME® environmental labeling system has established procedures for dealing with cases of non-compliance with labeling conditions. This provides for the withdrawal or suspension of the environmental label in the event of persistent and flagrant non-compliance with the scheme’s requirements.
APAVE is currently the only inspection body authorized to operate within the LONGTIME® environmental labeling system. Contact details for the Apave manager, Xavier Schmitt, are available on this Apave page.
LONGTIME® label certification certificate
Under no circumstances may this document be issued by the manager of the LONGTIME® label, the Ethikis ad Civis cooperative.
Only the inspection body responsible for the audit can issue the certificate.
The certificate authorizes the application and use of the
LONGTIME® LABELING SYSTEM.
. The certification certificate is systematically accessible to the public and includes useful transparency information such as :
- Name of inspection body
- Products awarded the
- The geographical area in which products can use the label
- Certificate validity period
- The relevant industry standards
Communication of the LONGTIME® label’s environmental claim
Products that have been awarded the LONGTIME® label are labelled in accordance with a communication charter. This charter requires that the label uses a language adapted to the country of distribution, and respects the principles of legibility.
On the back of the label, additional information helps consumers understand the scope of the environmental claim. The label also features a QRcode or link that redirects the product’s end-user to an information page. This page contains the following information:
- The link to the product standard
- Precise name of certified model
- Product warranty period
- Availability of spare parts
- The certification period
- Name of inspection body
- Certification certificate with corresponding number
- Aspects covered
- A summary of the assessment with a brief description of the sustainability highlights