Darwen Terracotta is using Made in Britain’s new Environmental and Social Value Certification to drive collective climate action in the industry

Made in Britain is supporting the UK’s largest manufacturer of architectural terracotta and the world’s third leader in terracotta restoration to set a precedent for sustainability through its new Environmental and Social Value (ESV) Certification.

Darwen Terracotta, the only British-owned producer of architectural terracotta and fireclay sinks, was awarded the ESV Certification to showcase its commitment to creating sustainable, environmentally responsible and socially conscious products.

Now, the manufacturer is hoping the certification will send a signal to others in the industry, encouraging them to also put sustainability at the heart of their operations.

Simona Weldon, Marketing Manager at Darwen Terracotta, said:

“Sustainability is a core principle at Darwen Terracotta and achieving the ESV Certification has further strengthened our credibility in this area – underpinning our commitment to responsible manufacturing.

“But beyond this, the certification reinforces our mission to lead by example and encourage others in the sector to take action towards a more sustainable future. It represents a small but meaningful step in the right direction, and one that helps drive collective action. 

“We believe that by leading by example, we can inspire more businesses within the industry to join forces in reducing their carbon footprint – making sustainability not just an individual goal, but a shared responsibility for the next generation.”

The ESV Certification has been developed by Made in Britain in collaboration with MAP UK & International, and is aligned with the UK Government’s Social Value Model (2025) and the Procurement Act 2023. It allows organisations to practically demonstrate their environmental and social value credentials, helping them gain a new commercial edge in a highly competitive market.

Darwen Terracotta has a number of ongoing contributions to people, planet and place, seeing this as “an important step in demonstrating transparency and accountability within the built environment sector.”

It prioritises responsible sourcing, energy efficiency, waste reduction and water conservation by using recycled materials, LED lighting, reusable packaging and recycling materials such as clay, plaster and polystyrene. It is also in the process of calculating the life-cycle assessment of its products to obtain the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). 

From a social perspective, the business is an active patron of Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone – a community charity which offers a state-of-the-art facility so young people have somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to. It also engages with schools and conservation bodies, and fosters a safe, inclusive workplace.

The ESV Certification will support the business on its journey towards “continuous improvement in environmental stewardship, social responsibility and innovation” and by sharing its practices and achievements, it hopes to “inspire others in the industry to join us in creating a more sustainable future.”

John Pearce, CEO of Made in Britain, said: 

“We’re all about promoting the sustainable growth of British manufacturing and uniting UK-based manufacturers. It’s great to see that Darwen Terracotta is using the ESV Certification to join us in this mission – inspiring other manufacturers to follow suit and have a more positive impact on the environment. 

“All members already hold very high environmental and social standards by employing and training people in the UK, supporting local communities and operating in line with legislation on ethics and sustainability. The certification helps them to draw out these standards, articulate them in ways that everyone can understand and promote their positive impact on people, planet and place.”

Simona from Darwen Terracotta will be speaking at Made in Britain’s upcoming Environmental and Social Value webinar. Taking place on Wednesday 28 January, the webinar will provide further detail on environmental and social value, its relevance to UK procurement regulation and how the ESV Certification can support your business. 

The ESV Certification is available to all Made in Britain members. To find out more about the scheme and its benefits, visit www.madeinbritain.org/about/environmental-social-value.

For more information about Made in Britain and to discover verified UK manufacturers, visit www.madeinbritain.org.