Better World products is RS Group’s sustainable product initiative, designed to drive environmental improvements across the products we supply to our customers—whether that’s through more sustainable materials, improved efficiency, reduced waste and water use, or longer product life.

It’s an easy way to identify solutions that contribute to your environmental targets, support efficiency improvements, and keep your operations performing at their best.

The range is diverse and extensive and covers all our key product categories and technologies

Built on a robust, evidence-based framework, Better World products defines clear sustainability claims and recognised sustainability-related third-party certifications that qualify products for inclusion. Every claim is supported by transparent evidence, acceptance criteria and marketing materials provided by suppliers, enabling customers to make more informed, sustainable and responsible product choices.

Our Better World products framework is not a third-party verified scheme. Developed by RS sustainability experts in collaboration with trusted external consultancies, it aligns with international standards and legislation. The framework is managed by experienced sustainability professionals and governed by a clear, structured process.

How Products Qualify

To be included in Better World products, products must meet at least one sustainability claim or hold a recognised third-party ecolabel or certification listed within our framework.  Every claim must be supported by verifiable evidence, and clear, customer-facing marketing materials to avoid greenwashing.

Evidence We Recognise

Current examples of evidence we accept, but not limited to include:

• Third-party sustainability certifications
• Verified Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs)
• Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)
• Product Environmental Profiles (PEPecopassport®)
• Product performance and durability test reports

Where certifications or standards are unavailable, we may accept robust, product-specific evidence from manufacturers.

Defining Environmental Impact

We’ve assessed the most carbon‑intensive stages across a product’s lifecycle and identified where the greatest environmental impact occurs. For the stages that are most material, we apply minimum thresholds to specific sustainability claims, tailored to the product type and industry for example:

• Recycled materials: ≥50% post-consumer recycled content by weight
• Alternative materials: ≥50% bio-based content by weight
• Low carbon manufacture: ≥10% reduction in carbon footprint compared to previous iterations or industry standard
• Saves energy: ≥10% more efficient than previous iterations or industry standard, or proven substantial energy and cost savings backed by case studies
• Designed for disassembly: Easily disassembled with simple tools and ≥60% recyclability, supported by LCA or equivalent documentation Discover all claim definitions in our Better World product factsheet