NSF Validates BASF Ecoefficiency Analysis Method
BASF, a chemical company, is the first to have its Eco-Efficiency Analysis (EEA) methodology used to evaluate the economic and environmental impact of products or processes validated by NSF, an independent, not-for-profit organization committed to improving and protecting public health and the environment.
NSF's new eco-efficiency protocol, NSF Protocol 352 (NSF P352), is used to validate and verify eco-efficiency analyses.
Eco-efficiency means creating more goods and services while consuming fewer resources and generating less waste and pollution (World Business Council for Sustainable Development). NSF P352 establishes requirements for the content of an eco-efficiency analysis to ensure consistency, objectivity and transparency in all eco-efficiency analyses, which is necessary given the influx of greenwashing. In BASF's case, it also provides a means for verification of BASF's individual EEA study results adhering to the eco-efficiency methodology.
BASF's EEA of one of its Joncryl® products, a water-based resin for the printing and packaging industry, is the first study to undergo verification by NSF International for eco-efficiency analysis. For successfully completing these verification processes on both the eco-efficiency tool and for the data relating to the eco-efficiency of its Joncryl product, BASF can use the NSF Mark in literature and marketing materials highlighting the EEA tool and Joncryl.
"BASF saw the need to raise the bar for eco-efficiency analysis and looked to NSF and others to help establish the new protocol. We are glad that NSF P352 is now available for widespread adoption and will help eliminate greenwashing, the act of making a misleading claim regarding the environmental benefits of a product or service," said Edward Madzy, BASF's director of Product Stewardship and Regulations. "At BASF, we embrace sustainability, and the achievement of being the first company to have an eco-efficiency analysis validated by NSF International demonstrates our leadership in sustainable development practices."
NSF P352 was developed, reviewed and approved by a diverse group of stakeholders from academia, industry and consumer product companies to fulfill the need for an objective and universal method for companies to analyze the sustainability of their products and services.
BASF's study results and findings of the verification process are also listed on NSF's Web site. The verifications are valid for three years, after which time the EEA will be re-evaluated and updated.