As "simply" this question may sound, it becomes so complicated if we want to answer it. Because it immediately leads to new questions: Can we actually measure the sustainability of a product? Which criteria apply in detail? And which of them are the decisive ones?

We asked ourselves all of these questions to determine the actual sustainability of our products. With each individual we looked at materials, production and delivery routes, we checked the lifespan and repair friendship - because we do not simply want to say sustainability, but prove them transparently and comprehensibly.

The NQ is the sustainability quotient for new territory products. It results from the two main phases in the life cycle of every product:

1. Productionand 2. Use

For the sustainability quotient, we charge the two building blocks together, according to their relevance: production simply counts, but the duration of use, on the other hand, goes into the final rating with a factor of 2.

Here we pay attention to material, delivery routes and production. It is clear that the selection of materials also decides on sustainability:

• Are renewable raw materials used?
• What proportion of the product is Recyclebar? Are certificates such as the blue angel available?
• How big is the energy expenditure for the material and finally for the actual production of the product?
• And how do the delivery routes and the proportion of in-house production influence the CO2 footprint of the product?

We rate these points separately according to a 5-point system, in which up to 30 total points can be reached. We put the actual score in relation to this: The percentage achieved results in the material and manufacturing module of the NQ.

Nothing goes through lifespan and repair friendliness.

Often overlooked, but from our point of view of one of the most important factors for the sustainability of a product are his lifespan and the friendliness of the repair. Actually logical: the longer a product is in use and the easier a necessary repair is, the less replacement products must be produced extensively and transported to the customer.

Not to mention, long reliable products are simply more likeable: Who has not ever been annoyed about apparently cheap offers that were hiking in the trash after only 2 years or even had to be disposed of because they could not be repaired? And: Who doesn't have an old cell phone in the drawer?

A maximum of 15 points can be achieved with the life of the NQ. And here, too, the score actually achieved is compared: we determine the life of life as a percentage value.