Sustainability Report 2016 / 2017

3 Cradle to Cradle Products Innovator Award “The international recognition that comes with the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovator Award validates once again the demands we make of ourselves and our self-imposed quality standards,” said Werner & Mertz CEO Reinhard Schneider at the awards ceremony at the Conrad Hotel in New York City in November 2015. “We are committed to following the Cradle to Cradle ®TM product design path and practicing genuine eco-effectiveness with our brands and products,” he said in confirmation of the cleaning and care company’s engagement in sustainability. “Nowadays it is technically possible to develop highly effective products – in our case that means strong cleaning products – that also meet the highest environmental standards along the entire value chain. Decades of experience as a sustainability pioneer have brought us to this point.” The trusted brands Frosch and green care Professional received the respected international Cradle to Cradle ® Pro- ducts Innovator Award. The highly desirable prize recog­ nizes companies that manage their production in closed loops according to the Cradle to Cradle ® principle in order to achieve maximum sustainability. Companies so honored are considered pioneers in their industries.