"Sustainable manufacturing practices have been part of our history for a very long time. Meeting the requirements of the Green Squared certification is another significant validation of the progress we are making everyday to produce sustainable products," said Thomas D. Smith, President of Cooperativa Ceramica d’Imola North America. "We hope this certification system helps to establish consistency in our industry and encourage customers to identify and choose products that have important environmental attributes."

This comprehensive, multi-attribute certification program scores products in five categories of performance -- product characteristics, manufacturing and raw material extraction, end of product life management, progressivecorporate governance and innovation. SCS Global Services (formerly the Scientific Certification Systems), a trusted certifier for environmental claims in the green building sector, conducted the extensive audit for the CCImola brands.

This Green Squared standard, developed by the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) under the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) process, is available to manufacturers of ceramic tile, glass tile, and related tile installation materials(ASC-A108).

"Cooperativa Ceramica d'Imola is an environmental and social leader in the tile industry," said Stowe Hartridge-Beam, Director of Environmental Certification Services for SCS Global Services. "Ceramica d'Imola's energy cogeneration system, robust waste diversion management, 100% wastewater recycling efforts, and comprehensive annual environmental statement are examples of the significant steps the company has taken to put its commitment to sustainability into practice."