The European PVC sustainable development programme VinylPlus (Brussels / Belgium; www.vinylplus.eu) has developed a label that will allow an easier identification of PVC building and construction products with the highest functional performance and sustainability. This currently applies to PVC window profiles from six manufacturers – Deceuninck (Hooglede-Gits / Belgium; www.deceuninck.com), Epwin Window Systems (Solihull / UK; www.epwin.co.uk), Internorm (Traun / Austria; www.internorm.com), Rehau (Rehau / Germany; www.rehau.com), Schüco (Bielefeld / Germany; www.schueco.com) and Veka (Sendenhorst / Germany; www.veka.de). Two more companies are undergoing the certification process.

VinylPlus developed the product label, which can apply to both a PVC product or product family, together with UK certification body Building Research Establishment (BRE, Watford / UK; www.bregroup.com) and international NGO The Natural Step (TNS; www.thenaturalstep.org). Products viable for certification must include responsible sourcing of PVC resin and additives, controlled loop management and recycling as well as sustainable energy policies. They must also fulfil certain organisational and supply chain management requirements.

VinylPlus is a voluntary commitment to sustainable development by the European PVC industry. The ten-year programme aims to create a long-term sustainability framework for the entire PVC value chain worldwide.