We want to make sustainable choices as easy as possible for our customers. Sustainable products must therefore be easy to identify and find. This is where sustainability categories come in handy.
Classification makes it easy to obtain more detailed information about the sustainability of products, such as their climate impact, energy efficiency, recyclability or the origin of materials.
The range of sustainable products will be actively supplemented accordingly when we receive sufficient and verified information about the sustainability of the products. We collect information from our suppliers and other partners.
Highlighting sustainable products is important to us, as we know that every better choice leads to more sustainable construction and renovation.
Products that have received a sustainability rating have passed strict criteria based on researched and verified data, legislation, official environmental labels and many certificates. The product may have been classified as sustainable either because of a sustainable production chain or because its use promotes sustainability.
So far, we have reviewed 100,000 products, of which more than 11,000 have already received a sustainability rating. Some of the products fall into several categories.
Sustainable products are easy to find in our online store; if the product has been awarded a sustainability rating, an identifier can be found next to the product image and on the product card. On the product card, you will also find more detailed information about the sustainability criteria the product meets. You can also narrow down your product search results according to sustainability categories.
We require our suppliers to ensure that product sustainability information is researched and verified. Claims of sustainability can be verified with an official quality or environmental certificate issued by a third party, or by checking whether the product meets internationally accepted sustainability thresholds. For example, the international ResponsibleSteel standard has been set for the sustainable manufacture of steel.
We actively monitor changes in EU legislation requirements, technological development of products, and development that supports nature and the circular economy. If necessary, we update the criteria in accordance with them.
Sustainability categories are based on the most important sustainability challenges in our industry that we need to address. The most important among them are mitigating climate change, combating nature loss, promoting the circular economy, ensuring the sustainability of the supply chain, and ensuring the wellbeing, safety and equal opportunities of workers.
Yes. Products that have been added to sustainability categories have passed strict criteria. This requires comprehensive and verified data to be available on the product’s sustainability.
Being excluded from the classification does not mean that the product is not sustainable. There may not be enough certified information available about the product to verify compliance with the sustainability criteria.
We review our criteria regularly and add criteria as required. Our range of sustainable products thus serves our customers as accurately as possible with up-to-date standards and legal considerations. The range of sustainable products is actively supplemented accordingly when we receive sufficient and verified information about the sustainability of the products.
Learn about the sustainability categories
Energy efficiency
Reduces energy consumption and the carbon footprint
The product has an energy efficiency class that is better than reference products or the product promotes energy efficiency otherwise. Energy Label helps identify products that consume less energy. The energy label indicates the energy consumption of the product during use on a scale of A to G. Some product categories still have the old rating scale, with categories A+, A++ and A+++ that are better than category A. See products.
Healthy building
Clean indoor air and safe materials
The product has been proved to reduce harmful effects on humans, animals and the environment, or the product has been manufactured using natural materials found to be good for health.
For example, products in this category may have received one of the following certificates or ecolabels: M1, Nordic Swan Ecolabel and Blue Angel.
In addition, products for which the VOC value (Volatile Organic Compounds) is in the category Low are included. More information about VOCs can be found e.g. from the pages of Sisäilmayhdistys. See products.
Circular economy
Promotion of recycling, recycled materials and repairability
It can be proved that the product has been manufactured from recycled or bio-based materials, for example. The proportion of recycled material may also have been included in the product data. In addition, the category includes products that are repairable (easy to disassemble, and spare parts are available) or that support the circular economy otherwise.
Products in this category may have received, for example, one of the following certificates or ecolabels: Nordic Swan Ecolabel and EU Ecolabel. See products.
Water saving
Saves natural resources and energy
The product meets water consumption limits according to EU requirements. The sustainable level of water consumption in accordance with EU requirements is assessed according to the water consumption rate (litres/minute) of water equipment. For example, for toilet and kitchen taps, the permissible consumption is no more than 6 litres/minute. See products.
More sustainably produced
Verified origin and reduced climate impact
The environmental and social impacts associated with the procurement or manufacture of the raw material or product have been assessed. A certificate or another proof of the assessment is available from a third party.
For example, products in this category may have received one of the following certificates or ecolabels: PEFC, FSC, Nordic Swan Ecolabel, EU Ecolabel, Cradle to Cradle, BCI (Better Cotton Initiative) and OEKO-Tex.
In addition, products for which CO2 limit values have been defined (metals, aluminium, copper) based on the Environmental Product Declaration according to the EN15804 standard are included. See products.
Certificates and ecolabels
What certificates and ecolabels do we use when determining product sustainability?
Allergy Label
The Allergy Label shows that the product meets certain allergy criteria. Products that have received the label do not contain fragrances or generally sensitising or irritating substances or materials. In addition to substances, the concentrations used are also investigated, as some of the chemicals are well tolerated when the concentration used in the composition is low.
The Allergy Label is awarded by Allergia-, Iho- ja Astmaliitto ry, which carries out the evaluation in cooperation with external experts and researchers.
https://www.allergia.fi/allergiatunnus/
Key Flag
The Key Flag label helps the customer choose a Finnish option. The label indicates that the product is manufactured, or the service is produced, in Finland and employs people in Finland.
The Key Flag label is awarded by the Association for Finnish Work.
https://suomalainentyo.fi/yrityksille/avainlippu/
Better Cotton
Better Cotton is the world’s leading cotton sustainability initiative. Better Cotton’s goal is to help cotton producers make a living and prosper. Better Cotton’s goal is also to protect and restore the environment. As a member of Better Cotton, Kesko is committed to developing cotton farming practices globally.
The cotton supply chain has several phases. Better Cotton materials are not traced to individual products; instead, cotton is sourced using a Mass Balance system. Even if Better Cotton blends into regular cotton along the way, its total amount in the supply chain remains the same.
Blue Angel
Blue Angel is a German ecolabel that sets strict standards for environmentally friendly products and services. The Blue Angel label indicates that the product puts less strain on the environment and meets high standards to protect human health – while having the same usefulness and good quality as other products.
The Blue Angel label is managed by the German Ministry of the Environment in cooperation with several other organisations.
https://www.blauer-engel.de/en
Cradle to Cradle (C2C)
A Cradle to Cradle certified material or product has undergone a safety, circular economy and sustainability assessment in five categories: safety of materials for humans and the environment, the circular economy and recycling opportunities, renewable energy use and climate impacts, sustainable use of water and soil, and respect for human rights and fair trade practices.
The Cradle to Cradle label is awarded by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute.
Design from Finland
Design from Finland products and services are designed in Finland in a professional, responsible and user-oriented manner.
The Design from Finland label is awarded by the Association for Finnish Work.
https://suomalainentyo.fi/en/services/design-from-finland/
Energy Label
The Energy Label helps consumers choose devices that consume the least amount of electricity. The Energy Label common for EU countries provides reliable comparable information about the energy consumption of household appliances.
The data is based on the results measured by manufacturers in accordance with the standard. In Finland, the Ministry of the Environment is responsible for the preparation of energy label regulations for building products and the Energy Authority answers for all other product groups. The accuracy of energy labels is monitored by the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (TUKES).
https://energiamerkinta.fi/energiamerkinta/
EU Ecolabel
The EU Ecolabel impartially indicates the reduced environmental burden of the product and service, without neglecting safety and quality. Recurring themes in the label’s criteria include energy efficiency, chemical safety and sustainably produced raw materials. The criteria are developed in cooperation between all EU countries, and the awarded label is valid throughout the EU.
In Finland, the EU Ecolabel is awarded by Ympäristömerkintä Suomi Oy.
https://eu-ymparistomerkki.fi/
Environmental Product Declaration
An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is an environmental statement that describes the environmental impact of a product over its entire life cycle. The environmental impact has been calculated using life cycle analysis (LCA) from raw material procurement to final disposal.
The EPD standard is an international standard. A third-party certifier approved in accordance with the standard ensures that the information presented in the EPD has been verified and identified as a reliable source of environmental information.
FSC
FSC-labelled products include materials obtained from or recycled from FSC-certified forests. Forests are managed according to strict social and environmental standards. The FSC 100% label indicates that the product is made entirely of FSC material. FSC Mix products contain at least 70% of materials from FSC-certified forests and the rest is recycled materials or FSC-controlled wood. The FSC Recycled label indicates that the material is completely recycled.
FSC Finland promotes FSC certification and grants the right to use the FSC trademark in Finland. Approved certification organisations issue both forest management certificates and chain of custody certificates.
Kesko’s FSC licence code is FSC-N001690.
Nordic Swan Ecolabel
The Nordic Swan Ecolabel is awarded to products and services that meet ambitious environmental requirements. The Nordic Swan Ecolabel criteria holistically examine the environmental impact of products and services from a wide range of perspectives. In addition to the environment, the focus is on requirements related to chemicals and health. The criteria take into account the entire life cycle of the product, from raw materials, production and use to recycling and disposal.
The Nordic Swan Ecolabel is awarded by Ympäristömerkintä Suomi Oy.
https://joutsenmerkki.fi/tietoa-joutsenmerkista/
LEED
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating is the world’s most widely used global environmental rating system for buildings. LEED certified buildings save money, improve efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and create healthier places for people.
The LEED label for buildings is developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and the evaluation process is carried out by The Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI). The LEED label in the context of a product suggests that the manufacturer itself has clarified the requirements for its corresponding LEED certified construction.
https://figbc.fi/tyokalu/leed/
M1
The purpose of the Emission Classification of Building Materials is to promote the use of low-emission building materials and fixtures. It sets out requirements for materials used in conventional working and living spaces concerning good indoor air quality. The M1 rating label on a product indicates that the product is odourless and has low emissions in accordance with M1 requirements.
The M1 rating is awarded by the Building Information Foundation RTS.
https://www.rakennustieto.fi/palvelut/ymparistopalvelut/m1-luokitus
OEKO-TEX 100
Every component of an OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 product, i.e. every thread, button and other accessories, has been tested for harmful substances to show that the product is harmless to human health.
The OEKO-TEX label is awarded by the International Association for Research and Testing in the Field of Textile and Leather Ecology, formed by several research institutions.
https://www.oeko-tex.com/en/our-standards/oeko-tex-standard-100
OEKO-TEX Made in Green
OEKO-TEX MADE IN GREEN is a traceable brand for all kinds of textiles and leather products manufactured using environmentally friendly methods and in socially responsible working conditions. The MADE IN GREEN label also indicates that a textile or leather product is made of materials that have been tested for harmful substances.
The OEKO-TEX label is awarded by the International Association for Research and Testing in the Field of Textile and Leather Ecology, formed by several research institutions.
https://www.oeko-tex.com/en/our-standards/oeko-tex-made-in-green
PEFC
The PEFC label indicates that wood from sustainably managed forests has been used for the product. The PEFC label can be used to ensure the sustainability and origin of the product. The PEFC label can be used on a product when at least 70% of the forest and wood material it contains is PEFC certified, and the rest is recycled material or FSC controlled wood. The PEFC Recycled label indicates that the material is completely recycled.
PEFC Finland – the Finnish Forest Certification Council promotes PEFC certification and grants the right to use the PEFC trademark in Finland. Approved certification organisations issue both forest management certificates and chain of custody certificates.
PEFC trademarks on products indicate PEFC certification. Kesko’s licence number is PEFC/02-44-36.