The adoption of models in line with the principles of the circular economy is one of the strategic priorities of the European Union because it provides an opportunity for growth and development in terms of innovation, the environment, employment and competitiveness. Business models that are less dependent on the use of raw materials facilitate the development of a cost structure that is less exposed to the risk of price volatility as a result of both market dynamics and regulatory intervention. Recent estimates1 envisage possible benefits between now and 2030 amounting to:
To support businesses in their transition from the linear economy to the circular economy, IMQ has prepared a package of services relating to waste reduction, emobility, extension of useful life, traceability and recycling.
CARBON E WATER FOOTPRINT
Assessment and quantification of greenhouse gas emissions (ISO 14067) and measurement of the impacts of a product/service/organisation on water resources (ISO 14046).
CERTIFICATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL, ENERGY AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Auditing of organisations’ management systems for the continuous improvement of performance, and issuance of the respective certifications in accordance with: ISO 14001 for environmental matters (e.g. emissions, waste, resource efficiency); verification and validation of environmental claims in accordance with the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS); ISO 50001 for efficient energy management; SA8000 for social responsibility management; ISO 20121 for event sustainability management; and ISO 37001 for anti-bribery management.
ECODESIGN
Support services for businesses in the application of product regulations established by the Ecodesign Directive on energy efficiency (Directive 2009/125/EC).
PRODUCT ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT (PEF) AND ORGANISATION ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT (OEF)
PEF and OEF are measurement and improvement tools designed to help assess the environmental performance of products/services/organisations across their life-cycle.
LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT (LCA)
Analysis of the environmental impacts that goods/services have throughout their life cycle (in the case of a product, from extraction of raw materials to final disposal). The assessment is applicable to both products and services. Reference standard: ISO series 14040 and 14044.
TESTS OF PERFORMANCE AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF PRODUCTS
Measurement of energy absorption on domestic and professional products, including for the purposes of energy labelling (Directive 2010/30/EU).
EV READY CERTIFICATION
IMQ is recognised by ASEFA as a testing laboratory for testing charging stations for electric vehicles, and plugs and sockets for charging electric vehicles, for the purposes of issuing the EV Ready mark
ACCELERATED AGEING TESTS
Accelerated ageing tests on materials and products: the only system that gives manufacturers immediate feedback on the durability of their materials/products.
REVAMPING
Revamping of machinery to align it with the requirements of Annex V of Legislative Decree 81/2008, which is mandatory for all machinery installed before 1996 that is not CE marked.
SUPPLY CHAIN CERTIFICATION
Support in designing and implementing supplier monitoring schemes, with particular reference to environmental and social sustainability.
CERTICAM CERTIFICATION
Certicam is the scheme that governs product certification in relation to recycled and/or recovered and/or by-product content on the basis of the values declared by the organisation that puts the products on the market.
BIODEGRADABILITY TESTING
Tests of the biodegradability of materials and products and issuance of certification marks for recyclable plastic and composites.
WEEE
IMQ is authorised by the WEEE Coordination Centre to carry out the necessary audits to enable waste disposal centres to obtain accreditation to handle WEEE.