ISO 17889-1 certification

ISO 17889-1 CERTIFICATION SUSTAINABILITY FOR CERAMIC TILES

SUSTAINABLE
INNOVATION

Coem porcelain stoneware has obtained certification from the independent body Certiquality in accordance with “ISO 17889-1- Sustainability for ceramic tiles”, a single, international standard that evaluates the environmental, economic and social impact of ceramic tiles, analyses the entire life cycle of the product, from raw material through to disposal, and also assesses the parameters regarding the health and safety of employees. This prestigious certification confirms Coem’s determined commitment to pursuing environmental and social responsibility, in order to produce top-quality, highly sustainable porcelain stoneware that fully reflects all the aesthetic characteristics of Italian design and workmanship, together with excellent chemical, physical and mechanical performance that guarantees durability.

CERTIFIED
QUALITY

The aim of ISO 17889-1 is to provide design professionals, contractors and consumers with a standard that can be verified and is valid at international level, identifying the sustainability of porcelain stoneware in accordance with economic, environmental and social sustainability criteria. The evaluation system comprises 38 indicators, 15 of which are mandatory for the establishment of the minimum pre-requisites a tile must have to be defined sustainable.
The remaining 23 requisites are voluntary, and assign a score of between 100 and 130 in accordance with different levels of product and process performance. This standard is also in line with goal number 12 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for consumption and production, defined by the UN as part of the 2030 Agenda.

WHY OUR PORCELAIN STONEWARE IS SUSTAINABLE

Coem’s porcelain stoneware production meets the requirements of ISO 17889-1 by complying with a series of actions and measures applied throughout the product life cycle.

Environmental criteria

Responsible sourcing
• In keeping with the ISO 17889-1 standard, more than 97% of the raw materials used for our porcelain stoneware tile bodies have been verified as indigenous, i.e. sourced within an 800 km radius. We produce our tiles with as much used material as possible, for an efficient use of our planet’s finite resources.

Purchasing contract for raw materials and environmental services with suppliers that adopt internal environmental policy systems.

Recycled waste content in porcelain stoneware with a thickness of more than 6 mm.
• Coem produces several ranges of ceramic tiles containing more than 60% pre-consumer recovered waste, reaching the top level of excellence in terms of recycled waste content in the porcelain stoneware produced.

Reduction in the amount of raw materials used
• Design of new stoneware floor and wall tiles with a thickness of 9 mm, which reduces the amount of raw materials used, while maintaining the same mechanical performance as porcelain stoneware with a thickness of 10 mm. For the large-size tile ranges, gradual move from 10 mm to 9 mm, in order to reduce environmental impact without affecting performance.

Environmental management system
• Implementation of the Environmental Management System (EMS) and Energy Efficiency Management System (EEMS). All Coem plants are ISO 14001 and EMAS certified, and use an efficient energy management system compliant with ISO 50001.

Monitoring of climate-altering gas emissions, energy resources and emissions management
• Calculation of direct (Scope 1) and indirect (Scope 2) energy emissions according to Carbon Footprint (GHG_Green House Gas) parameters.

Efficient management of energy consumption, with heat recovery in low-temperature production processes such as atomisation and drying, and for heating in production areas.

Maintenance of high performance in purification plants to reduce external emission of pollutants.

Use of renewable energies.

Construction of a 5000-square-metre, 1.08 MWp photovoltaic plant in Fiorano. Sourcing of electrical energy and heat for the Roteglia premises from a high-yield co-generation plant.

Use of natural gas in production facilities.

All Coem plants achieve the highest level of excellence in the reduction of atmospheric emissions.

Reduction of production waste
• Reduction of swarf from the rectification process and optimisation of specific consumption thanks to the creation of new porcelain stoneware collections with slightly larger (+1.3%) tiles. All Coem plants achieve the highest level of excellence in recycling and reuse of process waste, with values exceeding 100%.

Use of recycled and recyclable packaging materials
• Replacement of white cardboard with cardboard that has not undergone any chemical whitening treatments. Use of recyclable cardboard containing more than 70% recycled material for the packaging of ceramic tiles.

Reduction of up to 50% in the amount of cardboard consumed.

As a manufacturer of ceramic tiles, Coem has achieved the highest level of excellence, verified independently, with regard to all packaging-related parameters established by the new ISO 17889-1 certification.

Waste and water discharge management
• Responsible management, with a proper separation of hazardous waste, by means of characterisation processes and the use of appropriate separate storage areas, in full compliance with the pertinent legislation and voluntary regulations.

Reuse of process waste.

Elimination of industrial wastewater.

Responsible use of water resources
• Careful monitoring of water resources, implementation of the most efficient techniques available in the sector to minimise use, complete re-use of industrial water and rainwater in the yards. All Coem plants achieve the highest level of excellence in reducing specific water consumption for the production of porcelain stoneware, and do not discharge wastewater, as it is entirely recycled.

Type III Environmental Product Declaration (EPD).

Economic Criteria

Quality and Design of the porcelain stoneware
• Certified processes that focus on guaranteeing high standards of quality for the ceramic tiles and on-going innovation regarding design, to provide an effective response to market demands. Coem brand first-choice porcelain stoneware tiles are compliant with the EN 14411 (ISO 13006) standard.

Brand protection and business enhancement
• Registration and enhancement of the company brands of porcelain stoneware floor and wall tiles, with activities aimed at developing and promoting them.

Selection of suppliers
• Purchasing contracts for raw materials and services only with suppliers that comply with regulations and laws on health, safety and labour.

Economic results
• Responsible use of resources in our operations, to create short, medium and long-term value for stakeholders.

Customer satisfaction
• Monitoring and management systems and procedures designed to guarantee customer satisfaction.

Ethics and integrity
• Updating of the shared ethical code compliant with the 231 Organisational Model and with current legislation, aimed at ensuring business integrity and transparency and supporting the fight against corruption.

Social criteria

Occupational health and safety
• Implementation of an Occupational Health and Safety system for all our facilities. Development of on-going activities and training and awareness-raising initiatives for internal stakeholders, aimed at developing a culture of prevention and monitoring, as well as for handling accidents in the workplace.

All the Coem factories for the production of porcelain stoneware have UNI ISO 45001:2023 certification, because the company places prime importance on adopting a systemic approach to occupational health and safety management for all those present on the company premises.

Employee Engagement
• Engaging employees to make them aware and responsible in the carrying out of their individual and collective duties, with an important training update regarding the company’s 231 ethical code.

Organisation of a structural framework to define, monitor and revise suitable improvement objectives for professional functions.

New Work-Life balance support services.

Responsibility towards employees
• Personnel management processes aimed at ensuring protection of workers’ rights, equal opportunities and employee well-being. Open dialogue and engagement with trade unions, to listen to the requirements and needs of employees.

Correct use of ceramic surfaces
• Information provided to retailers and installers of porcelain stoneware surfaces for floors and walls, to ensure correct use of the tiles, and of their packaging and cutting.

• Preparation of ceramic tile safety data sheets for retailers and installers.

• Information provided to users on the correct use and maintenance of ceramic surfaces.