
Clen Solutions: “With the product environmental impact score from Manutan, we are accelerating our environmental transition while differentiating ourselves in the market.”
A year ago, Manutan, a major player in B2B e-commerce in Europe specialising in the distribution of equipment and supplies for businesses and public authorities, innovated by deploying the product environmental impact score to its offering, an environmental assessment index ranging from A to E. Based on the PEF1 method developed by the European Commission, this rating system provides information on the impact of products throughout their life cycle, going beyond just the carbon footprint by considering 16 indicators. This initiative encourages a more responsible purchasing approach among customers while supporting eco-design and valuing the commitment of suppliers.
Clen Solutions, a manufacturer of office furniture specialised in the design and layout of tertiary spaces, attests to the significant contribution of this tool in consolidating its CSR policy.
The Environmental Impact Score: A Catalyst for Clen Solutions' CSR Commitment
Clen Solutions, a preferred partner of Manutan, offers ranges of furniture for professional space planning and has conducted an audit to gather the expectations of its stakeholders in this area. From this work, it has integrated various perspectives to create a materiality matrix, define priorities, and develop an action plan. Reducing the environmental impact of its products is the main challenge of this plan.
Frédérique Cotenceau, Head of Environmental Quality at Clen Solutions, reflects on the effectiveness of this approach: “The environmental impact score of the products offered by Manutan aligns perfectly with our objective of transparency towards our customers. It is based on a rigorous methodology that considers every aspect of a product, such as weight and packaging. This guides us in implementing essential corrections while reinforcing our convictions in our CSR commitment.” She adds, “Current results are promising, with continuous improvement in our environmental scores, which not only allows us to meet regulatory expectations but also helps us differentiate ourselves in the market.” |
Marine Varret, CSR Manager for Offer and Supply Chain at the Manutan Group, explains: “We are convinced that, beyond enabling our customers to integrate the environmental impact criterion into their purchasing decisions, supporting our suppliers is a crucial lever to accelerate the environmental transition. In addition to this displayed score, we allow our suppliers to understand precisely where the impacts originate and help them improve their environmental performance and evolve their practices in a concrete way, notably through the eco-design module accessible on the platform. Ultimately, our ambition is to strengthen our training programme by collaborating with experts to offer tailored support to meet individual needs.”
An Ambitious Deployment Plan
Manutan is gradually deploying its environmental impact score by rolling out the score across multiple product categories each semester.
The first wave, launched in November 2023, scored the references in the furniture category (chairs, cabinets, wardrobes, and desks, etc.). In May 2024, the second wave included products for waste management, shelving, lockers, workshop furniture, as well as industrial supplies and tools.
In November 2024, a third wave will be implemented for additional categories (hygiene, office supplies, packaging, safety equipment, trolleys, lifting equipment, etc.), thereby confirming Manutan's commitment to broadening its impact.
To date, Manutan has evaluated 22,000 products. The company aims to accelerate this momentum to evaluate all its products and categories by 2026.
A Methodology Based on Product Life Cycle Analysis
Manutan has chosen to measure impact in accordance with the principles of Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), which assesses impacts at every stage of a product's life cycle, from raw material extraction to end-of-life, including manufacturing, distribution, etc. This scientific and rigorous approach is framed by ISO standards 14040 and 14044 and forms the basis of the PEF (Product Environmental Footprint) methodology developed by the European Union. By choosing this approach, the company anticipates forthcoming French and European regulations.
This framework allows for the calculation of impacts according to 16 environmental indicators, such as impact on climate change, resource depletion, emissions of fine particles into the air, and impact on human health.
Based on this methodology, Manutan assigns a score ranging from A to E to its products.
The ranking is done within the same product category that meets the same need.