The Additive Sustainability Footprint
helps you assess and move towards
the sustainable use of additives

Application Form
vinylplus.eu/asf

Application Form
VinylPlus Additive Sustainability Footprint

Company details
Company Name
Company Address
Postcode
Contact Name
Position
Telephone
E-mailIs your company apartner ofVinylPlus®? (Y/N)
How long has yourcompany been aVinylPlus® Partner?
Position of yourcompany in the PVC
value chain?

Additive producer
PVC compounder
PVC converter
Other (Please specify):

Application
Scope of application

Number of additives:
Type of additives:

Specific Site(s):Additive description

Description

Typical uses

Any other information
I have read the ASF Readiness Check and would like to register as follows:
VinylPlus ASF Company Training Programme Spring 2022
VinylPlus ASF Company Training Programme Fall 2022
Keep me informed about upcoming training and assessment opportunities
I’ve read the Terms and Conditions (see next pages)
I agree
I consent to the storage of my data according to the Privacy Policy
Please send your filled Application Form to info@vinylplus.euDecember 2021

Terms and Conditions
Rules and Obligations – Additive Sustainability Footprint for VinylPlus® partners(member companies)
1. The fundamentals
Additive Sustainability Footprint (ASF) is a tool designed to apply The Natural Step
Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development and principles to assess chemical
additives used in PVC products from an overall life cycle perspective. It is a customized
application of The Natural Step’s Strategic Life Cycle Assessment (SLCA) protocol and has
been developed in partnership between VinylPlus and The Natural Step. The Natural Step isthe methodology provider and works closely with VinylPlus to ensure Additive Sustainability
Footprint is developed in alignment with The Natural Step Framework.
VinylPlus has commissioned the development of Additive Sustainability Footprint (ASF) toprovide a consistent and credible way to assess and move toward the sustainable use ofPVC additives within the European PVC industry. ASF has been developed primarily for thebenefit of VinylPlus members for in-house self-assessment and improvement purposes inaccordance with these terms of access. Use of ASF outside of VinylPlus will first be agreed
between The Natural Step and VinylPlus, with the intent being to stimulate global innovationin sustainable use of additives.
2. Use of Additive Sustainability Footprint within company - General
Additive Sustainability Footprint is a facilitated team self-assessment that requires a trained
Project Leader who is familiar with The Natural Step’s overall framework and SLCA
methodology. The Natural Step, in collaboration with VinylPlus, is offering a Company
Training Programme to introduce the method to partner companies. Accredited Advisorsfrom The Natural Step will initially act as coaches (ASF Coaches) to help companies build
their capacity through use of the tool in a pilot assessment. The Natural Step will provide
validation that the tool is being used appropriately within companies by producing a Snapshot
Report, which summarizes the assessment results and provides company recommendations
related to the use of ASF and general application of The Natural Step’s methodology.

3. Use of Additive Sustainability Footprint within company – Certified User
To use Additive Sustainability Footprint, companies are required to nominate at least one
person to be trained as a Company Project Leader responsible for coordinating the use of
the tool within their company. Upon successful completion of the training programme, theCompany Project Leader will be considered as a certified user of The Natural Step’s StrategicLife Cycle Assessment (SLCA) protocol, which underpins Additive Sustainability Footprint.
The Company Project Leader will be kept informed about any developments with SLCA by
The Natural Step. Unless otherwise agreed, the period of use and certification is limited tothe adaptations made for Additive Sustainability Footprint, which are set by The Natural Stepin coordination with VinylPlus.
4. Use of Additive Sustainability Footprint – materials and content
For the period that a company has a Certified User, the company is entitled to make use ofmaterials

developedforAdditiveSustainability

Footprint,

suchasassessment

questionnaires, training resources and guidance documentation. Such materials areconsidered part of ASF as a tool. The terms of use for such materials are that the company
agrees:•Not to make derivatives or adaptations of the tool•Not distribute the tool to external parties•

Only make use of the tool within their organization•

Not to sell or use the tool itself for commercial purposes•Work constructively with The Natural Step and VinylPlus to improve the tool•

Keep up and make use of the latest version of the tool if such updates are made.

5. Use of Additive Sustainability Footprint – use of results
Results of using Additive Sustainability Footprint include answers to a self-assessment
questionnaire as well as insights on life cycle hotspots, interpretation of priorities andimprovement plans that have been developed through use of ASF. Such results are intended
to support company sustainability innovation efforts.
An additional result is a Snapshot Report produced by an ASF Coach as evidence that thecompany has applied ASF with coaching support. This is intended as a record of the training

programme, assessment scope, key findings and outcomes from the initial use of ASF. The
intent is that the Snapshot Report is a living document that is updated with new assessment
results as any improvements or actions are taken after an initial assessment is complete.
Companies must not use the Snapshot Report or the overall results of Additive Sustainability
Footprint as any form of public disclosure or product declaration but may communicate theyare using the approach to assess additives and guide improvements.
The use of Additive Sustainability Footprint may also serve as evidence for companies
seeking the VinylPlus Sustainability Certificate or VinylPlus Product Label. Findings from theassessment may also be used in dialogues with customers and suppliers.
While The Natural Step will verify that the process is followed and seek to ensure that
evidence for company responses is provided, companies must stand for the quality andaccuracy of the results from their use of the tool. As the purpose of the tool is to help
companies build their capacity to design and innovate for sustainability, companies should
recognize the self-benefit of checking that their assessment results are based on best
available knowledge.
6. Use of Additive Sustainability Footprint – branding and communication
The VinylPlus branding and logo rules have to be strictly respected. The replication orreproduction of any logo and branding can only be made with the authorisation of VinylPlus.
The Natural Step branding and logo must also be respected. Upon successful completion ofthe Company Training programme, the company is entitled to state that they have completed
the training and to communicate that they have a registered user trained in SLCA and its
adaptation of Additive Sustainability Footprint within their organization.
The use of Additive Sustainability must not be used to imply approval of additives that havenot been assessed.
7. Standard Amendment or Withdrawal
Snapshot Reports are valid from the date of an initial assessment for 2 years. After this time,
the use of SLCA and Additive Sustainability Footprint need to be revisited and any updates

to the overall methodology need to be incorporated. If Additive Sustainability Footprint isamended, it is expected that Certified Users make use of any updates as soon as practical.
If the VinylPlus withdraws the use of Additive Sustainability Footprint or it becomes obsolete,companies are expected to cease use of it.
8. Intellectual Property Rights
In accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding between VinylPlus and The Natural
Step, Additive Sustainability Footprint is acknowledged as a customized use of The Natural
Step’s methodology, based on published research and intellectual property of The Natural
Step. This document does not confer any right, title or interest in the Additive Sustainability
Footprint or the work of The Natural Step, which shall remain the property of VinylPlus andThe Natural Step respectively. Both parties reserve their respective licensing andenforcement rights, and may update this rules and guidance document from time to time.
9. Misuse
Unauthorised use and/or misuse of The Natural Step’s methodology and Additive
Sustainability Footprint is not permitted. The Natural Step and VinylPlus will work closely withto ensure ASF is used as intended. If proven, unauthorised use and/or misuse may lead tosuspension and withdrawal of recognition as, publication of the transgression, legal action,or a fine.