Circular Criteria

Circular Criteria

FPA is partnering with The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute (C2CPII) to develop the selection framework for the circular awards, ensuring standards for sustainability and circularity. C2CPII is a global non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the circular economy by setting the global standard for circular products that positively impact people and the planet. The framework will be based on the design requirements in C2C Certified®Circularity. 

Circular Design Tech
50%(b)- 70%(s)- 90%(g)- 99% (p) designed for technical cycling

  • Designed for Reuse, Repair, Refurbish and at minimum Recycling by 'municipal cycling' or unique recycling partnership, as of Silver Design strategy implemented- 5.6

  • “Municipal” Cycling Design requirements:

  • No multi-layered items of different materials (e.g., as often used for jackets and coats).

  • No complex fiber blends of three or more fiber/material types.

  • No fiber blends with > 5% elastane.

  • No metallized threads

  • No textiles with coatings

  • No bonded textiles and -leather (textiles with adhesive layers) and lamination

  • No heat transferred, silicone, and other non-water-based prints that are ≥ 10cm2.

  • No non-functional hard and soft parts of different materials then main fabric unless detachable + no electronics

  • Gold level: functional hard and soft parts need to be detachable/removable or of same material as main fabric (strategically placed for cut off)- no excessive use

  • Gold level: No multi-colored fabrics

  • Gold level: at least 85% Cotton, 95% wool, 90% linen, 100% polyester or 100% polyamide

  • Gold level: at least 85% Cotton, 95% wool, 90% linen, 100% polyester or 100% polyamide

Circular Design Bio
50%(b)- 70%(s)- 90%(g)- 99% (p) designed for biodegration

  • Testing: test material(s) at maximum thickness for biodegradability, and eco toxicity according to the recognized tests (page 60 manual)

  • Gold level: Test Certificate needed

  • Detachable: The compostable part(s) needs to be detachable form the other parts of the product (trims see tech cycle instructions)

  • Label correctly according to legislation of country of sale- use the Circularity Data Report for composting instructions

Circular Sourcing
Increasing the amount of responsible renewable and recycled content

  • Recycled Content

  • Polyester: >0% bronze, 25% silver, 50% gold post consumer, 100%

  • Polyamide >0% silver, 40% gold (PC >0%) and platinum 60% ( PC>0%)

  • Responsible Renewable Content:

  • E.g. Wood, Cotton and Leather High are high risk raw materials –need certification for responsible source (check full list in section 5.3)

  • Other renewables need a responsible source certification as of gold

Circular Systems
Collection and cycling systems are in place + cycling instructions

  • Technical Cycle:

  • Dedicated internal resources or partnerships

  • EPR or equal

  • Municipal cycling systems- e.g. EU separate textile waste systems

  • Bio Cycle:

  • Industrial Composting

  • Home Composting

  • Gold level both cycles: Active cycling data needed

  • Both cycles: Circularity Data Report including cycling instructions

Material Health and Packaging
Ensuring materials are safe and circular

  • Supplier declaration and if needed evidence (eg testing) on restricted substances:

  • 4.1 Legally Restricted Substances ( Tip! Use OEKO-TEX 100 materials that includes all 4.1 + PFAS restrictions)

  • 4.2 Beyond legally restricted substances like PFAS, Flame retardants, PVC ( highly halogenated carbon-based materials)

  • The above counts as well for Packaging that is used at the point of sale ( incl labels, ex shipping packaging)

  • Include 1 of the below for bronze/silver and 2 of the below for gold/platinum:

  • Incorporate cycled or renewable content and ensure access to cycling

  • The packaging is reusable

  • Reduced weight or other circular innovation ( 5.6)

Download the criteria

Download the criteria