Let’s get you certified: A manufacturer’s roadmap to success in sustainability
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It’s right there on your to-do list. The same place it’s been since you wrote it down a few months (years?) ago. Maybe you were denied a bid/job for lacking the certification, maybe your eager beaver sales rep is going on about an ecolabel that their specifier ‘must have’.
Either way, you’ve been meaning to get it to it — it is on your to-do list after all — but maybe you’re feeling… annoyed with the whole thing. It seems like you just can’t keep up with all of them anymore, and frankly you’re not sure you want to.
Listen, we get it. Boy do we get how it can feel like playing Ecolabel-Whack-A-Mole! Perhaps it doesn’t always seem worth it, especially when they’re constantly changing and more are popping up. But at this point nothing surprises us. I’ve been working in ecolabels long before designers started considering sustainability as a selection criteria.
Getting sustainability certifications is about more than compliance. Decoding sustainable certifications is about securing your place in the market and unlocking the benefits that far outweigh the cost.
The never ending game of sustainable certifications
Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place.
I live for this stuff. I eat green certifications, ecolabels, and sustainable policies for breakfast. And I also understand the challenges you face and am here to replace your headache with a clear solution.
First I need to break the bad news to you: Ecolabels and green certifications are never going to stop. They are the new norm and there will always be new tests, certifications, and regulations. Ugh, I know.
Now for the good news: You’re going to be just fine.
You don’t have to be a certification or sustainability expert.
You don’t need to hire a new team.
You don’t need to create a new department.
You just need to have a plan that includes Juno Solutions Group.
Who are we & why do we know so much about ecolabels?
Giselle here, founder of Juno Solutions Group. I’ve been in the commercial interiors industry for 20+ years. I’ve seen it all and have even helped create a sustainable certification — or two (don’t hold that against me). I’ve seen how the industry has evolved over time and I see how difficult it is for manufacturers to keep up with it all.
In fact, I’ve worked with clients who came to us too late - after losing important projects because they lacked the right certifications. They simply didn’t know where to start obtaining the correct documentation.
The ecolabel industry cycles like any other. Some company leads the way with a new attribute or feature. They bring industry attention to this ‘new’ issue and it spreads like wildfire. It begins to ‘trend’ you could say.
When it gets so popular that everyone is doing it, instead of being an ‘optional’ certification, it becomes required in the eyes of specifiers.
It’s hard for manufacturers to know what sustainable certifications to stay on top of
How do you know which certification will give you a competitive advantage?
How do you make sure you’re following industry regulations?
How do you know if you have, and have access to, the information needed to obtain the ecolabel?
How do you communicate the green certifications you’ve put all that work into?
How do you stay ahead of it all?
It’s overwhelming to say the least. But that’s why Juno Solutions Group came to be. After working in the industry for so long, I understand how difficult it is to be in your position and navigate without an expert.
We create a clear and streamlined path forward.
We help you stay updated with changes to keep the certification.
We help you obtain more certifications as needed.
And we help you talk about it to your customers & your sales team to ensure it’s working for you in every way possible.
Sure you can do it on your own, but you’re busy selling and running a business. The urgency is hitting your numbers and managing your P&L. Sustainability may seem like a distraction, but obtaining the right ecolabels can support these overall goals.
We’ve seen it happen time and time again. We know how to chart the course for you and create a personalized sustainability roadmap that makes sense for your business.
Why should you care about ecolabels and green certifications
After decades in the game, I can tell you every certification and standard you achieve is useful and can be beneficial to your long-term goals. Everyone says that though, don’t they? So let me get specific. Here are five reasons:
Ecolabels contribute to long-term sustainability and profitability
Products making ESG-related claims averaged 28% cumulative growth over the past five-year period, versus 20% for products that made no such claims.
Every additional ecolabel solidifies your standing as an organization committed to sustainability and transparency. And it allows for reduced work when obtaining additional green certifications in the future.
Certifications are the evidence of the work you’ve done for sustainability
An aspect that may be overlooked is that ecolabels are a communication tool. Specifiers are more eco-conscious than ever before. And in the connected world we live in, there is a plethora of information floating around.
Ecolabels are a way for you to communicate to your clients (and ultimately the end-user) that you believe in the same sustainable future and that you’re working towards it. Knowing your business aligns with a specifier's project goals can help you lock that sale in.
Certifications can help your business across all areas
If you need to get a loan, financing, or even business insurance, financial companies are increasingly seeking ESG data to help make these decisions.
If you’re looking at potential buyers, financing, or insurance, stakeholders are vocally demanding more ESG transparency. In determining your creditworthiness and risk assessment, sustainability is part of that decision and green certifications can help back you up.
We always find ways to save you money
We don’t know your business yet and can’t make a guarantee, but we’ve never worked with a client where we weren't able to help save money in unexpected areas.
By going through your processes, we inevitably find efficiencies that have helped clients save in areas like energy usage, trash collection, water usage, etc.
Sustainable certifications are here to stay
One reason we know none of this will change is because we can see the biggest companies investing in it. Companies that dominate the market are making sustainability a priority and in the process clearing a space for manufacturers to get ahead — and for some to fall behind.
The largest companies, we’re talking Marriott, Kaiser Permanente, Google; they’re making ESG commitments that touch all aspects of their business, including the products of yours that they use.
We have seen it play out in history, when the largest organizations commit to something at this scale, it reverberates throughout the sector.
How green certifications play out in real-time
One of the first things we work on with our clients is to get an understanding of their future goals and what kinds of projects they want to work on in the future. This matters when determining which sustainability certifications make the most sense for you.
SB253 in California: In California starting in 2027, SB-253 has a scope 3 emissions disclosure requirement on all companies over $1 billion. This means, for every new construction project, the emissions on every purchase for that project need to be calculated and reported. If you can’t provide the data on the products you sell, you’ll be out and replaced with someone who can. 2027 seems far away but today’s data is important in understanding your historical trend. California is a little ahead of the rest of the country, but they’re pretty on par with global accountability and it’s a good indicator of what’s to come.
Sustainable buildings: There have never been more LEED certified projects than there are right now. The process of material selection is a key facet to certification. If you can provide what is needed you’re viable for consideration on more projects.
Non-standardized material selection: Firms are taking sustainability into their own hands as the market moves things forward. Many architecture firms have developed their own criteria for material selection that is even more stringent than any building rating system.
Products that do not meet the minimum requirements of some of the largest architectural firms in the country will be excluded from the selection process.
It’s not that deep; sometimes you just need a little extra help
Sometimes, manufacturers have done the work but are lacking the final paperwork, documentation, and few extra steps to be able to accurately communicate their efforts. Other times, a few strategic tweaks and adjustments are all that's needed to complete a certification and get it over the finish line.
It’s likely you already have a few certifications or some projects in the works. Perhaps you've even started the process of obtaining an eco-label but hit a snag along the way.
You know you need extra support, but who? Not a full-time hire — you don't want the hassle of onboarding or dealing with insurance. You don’t even think you need someone part-time.
That’s where we come in: Experienced and efficient consultants who can get the work done. We’ve seen it all and we can help you through it.
Sustainable certifications, when chosen strategically, are an opportunity for growth
I’ve said it a million times and I’ll happily say it a million more. Obtaining the right ecolabels is an opportunity for your company to grow — financially, and strategically while elevating your brand.
When we’re creating your sustainability roadmap to ecolabels, we’re taking a measured approach that always prioritizes what your business is doing now and what you want to do in the future.
By using this method to strategically choose which green certifications they obtain, organizations have been able to:
Boost brand reputation, positioning the company as a leader in sustainability.
Open doors to work with large corporations, international & government contracts in new markets.
Streamline operations, reduce waste, and optimize resource use.
Secure a more resilient supply chain, reducing disruptions and ensuring a higher-quality product.
Improve relationships with stakeholders such as customers, investors, regulators, and community members.
Capitalize on a powerful tool for storytelling across all PR, marketing, & sales channels.
Sustainable certifications may seem like a never-ending challenge, but they’re more than just boxes to check — they’re targeted investments that can elevate your business in ways that extend far beyond compliance.
Take the headache out of sustainable certifications. We’ll help you navigate the process with confidence and the knowledge that your efforts will pay off both in the short term and long run for your company’s continued success.
At Juno Solutions Group, helping you is always our end goal. We’re right there with you to identify the right certification, acquire it, train you and your team to talk about it, and when it’s all done - maintain your certifications.
Everything we do is to make your journey seamless, impactful, and fruitful.