Cradle to Cradle Certified’s product standard Version 5.0 officially entered into effect on March 16, 2026. Published on February 10, 2026, the version is the outcome of a comprehensive revision process grounded in five years of implementation experience. With its entry into force, certification processes and assessment criteria are now conducted under the new standard. Three certification pathways, Full Scope, Material Health, and Circularity, are now defined within the Version 5.0 framework.

Key highlights of Version 5.0 include a focus on concrete environmental outcomes at the product and production level, a new visual scorecard aligned with EU Digital Product Passport requirements, and a machine-readable standard format. A new digital certification platform and redesigned product database, planned for launch in 2026, are set to make certified products more visible in online and AI-supported purchasing processes.

The standard is recognized by international programs including LEED, DGNB, WELL, Green Key, and Amazon CPF. With Version 5.0 now in effect, new applications and renewal processes are conducted under the updated standard.