Legrand's eco-design approach aims to reduce the environmental impact of its products from design to end of life, mainly through the choice of raw materials and optimised logistics.

The Group also works to improve the processing of waste related to its industrial activities, and tracks the result of its actions by measuring the waste recycling rate. As early as 2004, Legrand even anticipated the elimination of all the substances listed in the RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) 2002/95/EC directive, including those contained in devices to which it does not apply.

The Group aimed to extend the application of the directive to all products it markets all over the world. Moreover, those of the Group's subsidiaries affected by regulations relating to materials originating in conflict zones (conflict minerals) have set up processes for questioning their suppliers to make sure that no such materials form part of products marketed by these subsidiaries.

Finally, Legrand works towards the retrieval and recycling of products at end of life, for the Group and the subsidiary.

Eco-design: a worldwide approach

Eco-design reduces the environmental impact of products throughout their life cycle. In particular, it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, cut the amount of hazardous waste generated, or lower the natural resource depletion indicator.

EDM transformers: an eco-designed range

The generation of Legrand EDM transformers is an eco-designed range. The reduction of dissipated power in the transformer has led to a nearly 30% reduction in environmental impact compared to the previous generation of products. This new design has also reduced the noise generated by the transformer, thus reducing noise pollution.

Eco-designed packaging

At Legrand, the eco-design initiative also applies to packaging. Its experts have identified the best existing practices: use of cardboard with a high recycling rate, water-based inkjet printing, use of acrylic glue that releases less VOCs, etc. The initiative also improves the packaging/product volume ratio, as in the case of the WRAPEASY UNIVERSAL PACKAGING developed by Bticino. This innovative concept won an Italian Packaging Oscar in the “Environment” category.

Inform customers about the environmental impact of products

Legrand believes that it is responsible for informing users about the environmental impact of the Group's products. Reducing the impact of buildings on the environment starts with the design choices. Informing users about the environmental impact of the products they use is therefore a top priority. The Product Environmental Profile (PEP) is a reference tool to measure the environmental impact of electrical products. It is based on the ISO 14025 international standard and a multi-criteria Life Cycle Analysis. It is a recognised and reliable programme with international scope.

It is a real 'plus' that makes users prefer Legrand products. More than 2,050 Legrand PEPs are now available, including around 200 new ones created in 2019 for the Group's various international offers. 62% of sales in 2019 generated by products covered by a PEP (Product Environmental Profile).

 Learn more about the PEP 

Legrand works towards limiting its production of industrial waste, and towards reducing its negative external consequences by fostering recovery schemes.

The proportion of waste generated that is given to waste-to-energy service providers is a key indicator of Legrand's performance in this area. 

From an operational point of view, Legrand works to manage its waste by focusing on 4 areas: 

• product design and industrialisation that minimises scraps and manufacturing waste as much as possible. When scraps are generated, the priority is to re-use them directly in the manufacturing process. Thus, moulding sprues are shredded and re-incorporated with virgin materials in the thermoplastic injection process and the scraps from the metal stamping process, which are considered as manufacturing waste according to regulations, are systematically recycled outside the company; 
• sharing best practices and identifying local improvement actions to limit the amount of waste at the source; 
• identifying waste and defining waste sorting instructions to facilitate their processing in the waste-to-energy subsidiaries. In particular, the identification of hazardous waste is essential for appropriate processing; 
• the choice of service providers offering the best waste-to-energy prospects for this waste, minimising landfills and incineration without energy recovery.