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We take sustainability seriously

Outstanding! Certifications, labels and databases

LOBA has the perfect sustainable products to help you at every step of your workflow, not just for new-builds but also – and in particular – for renovations.

Why rip it out and start again when aged, high-grade renovated floors are often a much more beautiful alternative? What's more, they tell a story and more often than not are the most cost-effective and eco-friendly solution.

Convince your customers to give their wood floors a second chance! Minor repairs can often be enough to put things right when wood flooring has been damaged or heavily worn. Save on resources, save the planet, prevent waste and cut CO2 emissions by renovating instead of replacing.

Alfred MelkaManaging DirectorHaving already spent years developing water-based and low-emission products out of responsibility to our fellow humans and to the environment, we know how much work it takes, and we have the drive to do it.

Environmental and quality management – signed and sealed

Our commitment to sustainability is keenly reflected in LOBA products and processes, but also in our company premises. We're constantly reviewing and optimizing our approach to quality and environmental management.

For example, we produce our varnishes and oils in Ditzingen using raw materials sourced mainly from Germany or Europe. This helps us reduce our carbon footprint. But we don't stop there: our operations are powered by 100% green energy and all our forklifts are electric.

Since 2011, LOBA has been DEKRA-certified to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.

These certificates reflect our high standards of quality and environmental management and underscore our commitment to continuous improvement in our processes, products, services and environmental protection measures.

Certificate ISO 9001:2015

Certificate ISO 14001:2015

To make and maintain floors durable while also protecting the environment and preserving the health of processors and end consumers – these are the goals that guide us in the development of our oils, finishes, cleaning, and care products. The USGBC, a pioneer in sustainable construction, is the ideal platform for exchanging ideas, mutual inspiration, and learning from one another.

Our commitment to sustainability

The Green Business Bureau is a internationally trusted authority in green business. It provides online solutions to help purpose-driven businesses of all sizes learn, prioritize, manage, and certify green initiatives. LOBA Wakol North America has achieved the highest level of certification as a Platinum Member.

Download Code of ConductLOBA @ IntegrityNext

Sustainable and fair: our delivery processes

To ensure our suppliers comply with our high sustainability standards, we commit them to follow, uphold and promote our environmental, social and corporate governance values and principles as defined in our Code of Conduct.

Sustainable products

As an environmentally conscious and forward-looking company, we ensure that not just our actions, but also our products, are sustainable. Our many ecolabels are testament to that commitment far beyond Germany.

EMICODE – for lower emissions

The EMICODE environmental label indicates parquet finishes and laying materials with very low emissions.

EMICODE certification is a non-governmental label awarded by the Association for the Control of Emissions in Products for Flooring Installation, Adhesives and Building Materials (Gemeinschaft Emissionskontrollierte Verlegewerkstoffe, Klebstoffe und Bauprodukte e.V. – GEV). It is granted for solvent-free materials and products.

The Ü mark – emissions protection

The Ü mark guarantees a specific level of protection against emissions when laying or working on parquet and wood floors.

Construction materials such as varnishes and oils must have what is known in Germany as a "general building regulations approval" (Allgemeine Bauaufsichtliche Zulassung). The Ü mark (short for Übereinstimmungszeichen – mark of conformity), indicates that the product has been granted this approval.

The Ü mark, which is awarded by the German Civil Engineering Institute (Deutsche Institut für Bautechnik – DIBt), is a national label and is mandatory in Germany. To be granted the label, companies must disclose their product formulas and be able to prove that they meet the required emissions limits.

Initial tests are supervised on site by representatives from an inspection authority, who must satisfy themselves that the product meets the stipulated requirements. However, additional checks may apply once the product is launched. Tests and certifications are occasionally repeated depending on the product.

www.dibt.de/en/

The French VOC regulations emissions indicator

The French VOC regulations are the equivalent of Germany's Ü mark, protecting people's health from harmful emissions in construction products.

The French government requires the VOC content and emissions properties of permanently installed construction products such as varnishes and oils to be indicated.

Under this system, construction materials are rated as A+, A, B or C (similar to Germany's system for electrical appliances). A+ is the best rating and C the poorest.

Manufacturers classify their own products by means of a declaration, which is subject to random inspection.

To find the French VOC rating of LOBA products, use the filter feature on our products page.

M1 class – Scandinavian emissions and odors indicator

M1 provides details of construction material content, emissions and odors.

The Scandinavian label is equivalent to Germany's "Blue Angel" and assesses permanently installed coatings and construction products as well as furniture. Use of the label is voluntary but widely accepted.

Products undergo M1 criteria testing when registered with the scheme, and subsequent occasional random sampling. Customers can access the database free of charge.

To find LOBA products with the M1 label, use the filter feature on our products page.

The Singapore Green Label – among the most stringent eco labels

The Singapore Green Label distinguishes products that are especially environmentally friendly

and is Asia's main ecolabeling system. In cooperation with the Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN) it has certified many products across 28 countries.

Singapore, a city-state in Southeast Asia, is renowned for its stringent environmental standards. The prestigious Green Label system approves product sustainability in one of the most highly regulated markets in the world. It assesses product contents and emissions, particularly heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, chrome and mercury.

Green Label products must undergo an independent evaluation of their properties during their lifecycle. Manufacturers are not allowed to classify their own products.

Singapore Green Labelling Scheme

Toy Safety Standard DIN EN 71-3

This DIN standard governs the safety of toys and limits emissions of harmful substances such as heavy metals.

DIN EN 71-3 stipulates that arsenic, lead, mercury, aluminum, nickel, chrome and special tin compounds have no place in toys. Construction materials with the EN 71-3 mark are guaranteed safe and suitable for toys.

Toys also include floors that children not only look at but touch as they explore, which means that particles can quickly end up in their mouths. The flooring must therefore be free of harmful substances – especially heavy metals. DIN EN 71 provides details on this.

The material that the toy is made of is tested in these three categories:

  • I: Dry, brittle, powder like or pliable materials
  • II: Liquid or sticky
  • III: Scraped off materials

This DIN standard, which although voluntary is often included in (construction) contracts, also sets requirements and test procedures limiting how much of these types of substances is released.

GISCODE – technical assessments for optimum occupational safety

We believe that "good" is not good enough for our customers.

That's why we also have our products tested with respect to occupational safety. All our GISCODE-labeled products offer you the greatest possible protection.

The test procedure is voluntary and is based on an agreement reached in 1993 between product manufacturers and German building trades associations.

You'll find the GISCODE seal of approval on the labels or sustainability sheets of relevant products, and of course on our products page.

LOBA products are also recognized by the following non-governmental organizations, platforms and associations:

Baubook – the eco-database

This online database, predominantly used in Austria, compiles information on green building products. Although not subject to government mandate, it is increasingly becoming the benchmark for tenders.

www.baubook.info

BVB – Swedish indicator for sustainability and a healthy living environment

BVB (Byggvarubedömningen) is a Swedish non-profit organization.

It assesses construction products based on their safety for living environments, any harmful substances they contain, and on how well they conserve resources and save energy. Example requirements include emissions testing, disclosure of product formulas, and manufacturer information about packaging emissions and the energy sources used in production.

https://byggvarubedomningen.com

Sustainable buildings

Various certification systems have been developed around the world so that the sustainability of buildings can be measured and compared.

The DGNB system – Germany's internationally applicable system

The DGNB label was developed by the German Sustainable Building Council (Deutschen Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen) and first awarded in 2009.

The DGNB certificate is recognized worldwide and helps all construction industry stakeholders ensure their projects are sustainable. The system is based on the 3 pillars of sustainability: economy, environment and people.

Under this system, a building's overall performance throughout its lifecycle is entirely independent of the means by which that performance is achieved.

DGNB certifications are awarded for buildings, districts and interiors and there are four categories – Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

Products are categorized according to their overall compliance with the requirements as follows:

  • Bronze certificate (35% or higher)
  • Silver certificate (50% or higher)
  • Gold certificate (65% or higher)
  • Platinum certificate (80% or higher)

LOBA product classification

Under the DGNB system, our products are categorized as "ENV1.2. – Local environmental impact" by GISCODE.

  • How our finish systems are classified:
    • Top categories (4 and 3): W1, W2+, W1/DD or W2/DD+
    • Lower categories (2 and 1) allow the following additional classifications: W3, W3+, W3/DD or W3/DD+
  • How our oils are classified:
    • Top categories (4 and 3): Ö10
    • Lower categories allow the following additional classifications: Ö20 in category 2 and Ö40 in category 1

www.dgnb-system.de/en/

LEED – the US version

The LEED mark was developed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) and uses independent testing to verify the sustainability of buildings and districts.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification is one of the most prevalent sustainability labels in the world.

As with all eco-construction labels, this system is designed to ensure that buildings can operate cost-effectively for as long as possible while consuming the minimum of energy and resources.

Products are categorized based on cumulative points as follows:

  • Basic certificate (26–32 points)
  • Silver certificate (33–38 points)
  • Gold certificate (39–51 points)
  • Platinum certificate (52–69 points)

LOBA product classification

Our products are classified as EMICODE "EQ Credit Low Emitting Materials" under the v4 LEED system.

  • EMICODE EC 1 PLUS
  • EMICODE EC 1. This requires additional verification of low formaldehyde emissions.

BREEAM – eco-building British-style

Established in the UK in 1990, BREEAM was the world's first certification system for sustainable construction

and is one of the world's most prominent building certification labels.

BREEAM uses a straightforward points system to award a seal of approval in ten categories, each of which has six sub-categories.

The assessment criteria include global, country-specific and regional impact plus interior quality, and more recently, ecological construction throughout the lifecycle of the building.

LOBA product classification

Our products are classified by EMICODE in the BREEAM system's "Hea 02" category.

  • EMICODE EC 1 PLUS
  • EMICODE EC 1 with additional low formaldehyde values

QNG – the German government label

The German Sustainable Building Seal of Approval (Qualitätssiegel Nachhaltiges Gebäude – QNG) is Germany's national ecolabel.

Buildings with this hallmark make a specific contribution to sustainable development.

The QNG label is awarded by the the Federal Ministry of the Interior and for Community, via accredited certification authorities.

The evaluation system and verification process are clearly set out: The system must be registered with the German Accreditation Body (DAkkS). Quality testing must be done by an accredited certification authority.

In other words, the QNG label is awarded with DGNB (German Sustainable Building Council) certification. The DGNB's requirements also include tests for heavy metals.

More LOBA seals of approval you can rely on!

FIBA – Basketball

The FIBA Equipment & Venue Centre is synonymous with high quality, safety and technology standards in basketball equipment.

The FIBA Centre also advises architects, planners and installers working on basketball venue new-builds and renovations. The FIBA seal of approval is particularly sought-after in Asia.

In addition, the associated "FIBA Approval Programme for Basketball Equipment" lists high-grade, tested and certified basketball equipment, including some of our LOBADUR systems.

A.T. – our innovative technologies label

"Advanced Technology" (A.T.) is LOBA's very own in-house quality seal for products with revolutionary technologies, innovative raw materials and enhanced applications.

A.T. products and their outstanding properties are unique to the industry. What's more, they are low-emission (VOC < 80 g/L) and meet current requirements for workplace and consumer health and safety.

Connected Systems – perfect partners

Our "Connected Systems" product line is optimized for use with specific products from our partner, Wakol.

We have a close and long-standing partnership with Wakol, which produces high-grade floor laying materials. Our respective Development departments discuss new formulas before they are made, and put the resulting products through rigorous testing to ensure they're fully compatible in practice.

We co-develop products for wood floors and adhesives as well as for wear-layer leveling compounds and finishes.

For more information on Connected Systems, click here.

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