SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS

Thanks to a continuous process of analysis and adaptation we aim to create an assortment that is increasingly sustainable from an ethical, social and environmental point-of-view, within the whole supply chain. Given that the majority of the products on sale in-stores carry our own brand name, our actions on the assortment structure are quite impactful.

This approach is highlighted through tangible commitments made public in the form of position papers; these papers include requirements such as the sale of certified products respecting social and environmental necessities. These purchasing policies guide our procurement choices of raw materials, for all assortment categories, in a transversal manner.

In order to promote a healthy diet and the protection of the environment in which we operate, we are committed to creating an increasingly sustainable assortment. To achieve this goal we make use of renowned certifications guaranteeing the environmental and social sustainability of our products.

We also offer food alternatives such as gluten-free, lactose-free and organic products to meet all customer requirements.

We are also committed to providing  clear and transparent information with the aim of encouraging informed purchasing choices.

We use well-known certification marks to guarantee the transparency and sustainability of the products to all our clients and in order to promote responsible trade.

ASC is a global and  independent non-profit organization, founded in 2010, who sets a leading environmental and social standard for certifying responsible and well-managed fish farms.

Producers who meet the requirements of the ASC standards minimise their impact on the marine environment, conserve the quality of water resources, do not misuse medicines and antibiotics, protect local surroundings and wildlife and care for their people and the local community. When you buy seafood products with the ASC-logo at Lidl, you can be sure that it is traceable to an ASC certified farm. At the same time you are rewarding the farm’s environmental and socially responsible practices.

Organic food production respects the environment and the planet's resources by not using pesticides and artificial additives or genetically modified foods. Through this form of agriculture, biodiversity is preserved to protect the resources of tomorrow. With organic products customers can taste a natural flavour and be conscious of contributing to the protection of the environment. The EU logo guarantees compliance with EU regulations on organic agriculture, reducing the environmental impact and ensuring greater respect for nature and its species.

Fairtrade is an international ethical certification mark. Its goal is to support the most disadvantaged producers in developing countries, equipping them to enter the trading system under conditions of transparency and fairness, thus improving their standard of living. Fairtrade standards involve strict, internationally recognized rules, that all the players in the supply chain (producers, traders, processors) must conform to. The standards relate to about 300 commodities according to a process that involves the producers first-hand, with models subject to continuous revision and improvement.

FSC is an independent international organisation, established in 1994 following the Rio Earth Summit to promote the sustainable management of forests and plantations from an environmental, economic and social point of view.  

To guarantee this type of management of forest resources, FSC created two types of certification; the first is the FSC Forest Management certification guaranteeing sustainable management by forest owners and managers. The second revolves around the Chain of Custody and is aimed at processing and/or trading companies of forest products, for example paper or wood. The latter controls the entire production chain, ensuring that the finished product derives from a responsibly sustainably managed forest.   

The requirements to obtain the FSC mark and certification include, among other things, the protection of the natural habitat of forests, the prohibition of using genetically modified plants and the avoidance of pesticide use.

GOTS is an independent certification for fibres and textile products which, through strict ecological and social criteria, guarantees an organic production throughout all of the supply chain (from cultivation to processing), prohibiting the use of any harmful substances and ensuring the maximum respect for natural resources. This ensures that all the natural fibres used in the finished products come from controlled organic cultivation and are free of substances that are harmful to the environment and to humans.

The MSC is an independent, global non-profit organisation that was formed in 1997 to find a solution to the problem of over fishing.

The MSC has developed a global environmental standard according to which worldwide fisheries can be evaluated. If they meet the criteria for this standard, they are allowed to use the blue MSC seal on their products. The MSC seal is a guarantee that the fish used in a particular product has been caught in accordance with environmental fishing standards. Lidl products always display this seal on a yellow background in the right-hand corner of the product packaging.

OEKO-TEX Standard 100 is an independent control system that carries out rigorous checks on the possible presence of harmful substances, specifically considering the intended use of the materials. The more intense and the more prolonged the contact of a product with the skin and the more sensitive this is, as in the case of children, the more sting rent the human-ecological requirements set. A rigorous process that assigns the seal “Textile Trust” guaranteeing tested and safe garments.   

PEFC is a non-profit international non-governmental organization (NGO) whose objective is the sustainable management of forests and the traceability of its products; from the forest to the final consumer.  

The brand is found on products deriving from forests (in materials such as paper, cardboard or wood). To obtain this certification, the processing companies undergo a verification procedure by an independent body. This attests that the raw material comes from a sustainably managed forest, respecting an internationally defined standard. This guarantees its ecological and social sustainability, promoting, amongst various aspects, the conservation of forests and the protection of the biodiversity of their ecosystem.

The Rainforest Alliance Certified™ seal on a product means that this product or the ingredients in it come from sustainable agriculture that follows the requirements of environmental, social and economic sustainability according to the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) standard. The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by changing the approach to land use, business practices and consumer purchasing behaviour. By working with farmers through an awareness and education programme, the Rainforest Alliance helps to minimise the impact of their work on the environment while at the same time improving the quality of life for farmers and their families.

UTZ is a worldwide program dedicated to coffee and cocoa and its schemes also certify other commodities such as tea, rooibos and hazelnuts. The UTZ label covers more than 20,000 different products in 135 countries. UTZ works for a sustainable agriculture in which growers employ best practices and manage their farms profitably, respecting the people and the planet. UTZ works through training programmes and the payment of additional funds, obtained through the sale of certified commodities, for farmers and their cooperatives so that they can invest in their own operations.

The V-Label® is an internationally recognised, registered symbol for labelling vegan and vegetarian products and services. For consumers, it is a simple and reliable guide to help them when they are shopping. Standardised criteria ensure that the V-Label® is a unique seal of quality for vegan and vegetarian products all across Europe. Thanks to regular controls by independent bodies, transparency, clarity and trustworthiness of the certified products are guaranteed.