Sustainability for Clinical LabsSolutions for a Greener Future
Siemens Healthineers is driving transparency and accountability in clinical laboratory sustainability.
Clinical labs may operate around the clock to test patient samples whenever results are needed. Traditionally, In Vitro Diagnostic testing requires significant amounts of water, energy, and plastic consumables, placing labs among the most environmentally taxing healthcare operations.
As labs around the world grapple with their responsibility to care for the planet as well as their patient, it has become more important than ever to have partners who support and enable sustainable solutions that bring about greater efficiencies and less waste.
The Atellica Solution portfolio “eco-design” applies across the whole system design, manufacturing, and distribution framework, aimed to reduce carbon footprint and waste.
The Atellica Solution portfolio is the first clinical laboratory product line to achieve My Green Lab ACT Ecolabel Certification—covering analyzers and the reagents used with them.
The My Green Lab ACT Ecolabel
Sustainability Product Certification for Medical Devices
Eco-conscious decision-making starts with transparency. The ACT Ecolabel is an internationally recognized virtual label for lab products that provides information about their environmental impact and serves as a sustainability "eco-nutritional label" rating system for lab products, offering third-party verified insights into their environmental footprint.
The label emphasizes Accountability, Consistency, and Transparency (ACT) by communicating detailed information about product manufacturing, energy sourcing, product content, resource use, packaging, durability, and product end-of-life recycling options.
Siemens Healthineers is proud to offer a wide range of products with ACT Ecolabels, indicating their overall environmental impact has been evaluated and scored based on the following Environmental Impact Factor (EIF) criteria:
End-of-Life Impact
- Packaging end of life
- Product end of life
- Innovation credit
ACT Ecolabels for Atellica Systems
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ACT Ecolabels for Reagents
More than 100 of our immunoassay and clinical chemistry diagnostic tests manufactured and shipped from our US-based facilities have also earned ACT Ecolabels. These kits were evaluated against similar criteria as our instruments, with added focus on chemical management, packaging content, and end of life disposal.
How to read an ACT Ecolabel
Regional Labels
Regional labels capture the difference in the shipping and end-of-life impacts for each region (US, EU, UK) in which the product is sold. They also showcase how the energy usage may vary across the markets and report the equipment’s water usage in units specific to the market, e.g. gallons/day vs. liters/day.
Scoring Explanations
All categories* are graded on a scale of 1-10, where 1 indicates the lowest environmental impact and 10 indicates the highest environmental impact.
Environmental Impact Factor (EIF)
The sum total of all values equals the Environmental Impact Factor. A lower number indicates a lower overall environmental impact.
ACT Ecolabels are valid for 2 years from the date of issue.
* Except Renewable Energy Use, which is scored with either yes or no.
Manufacturing Impact Reduction
The Impact of Green Initiatives in Swords, Ireland
In addition to undertaking the green initiatives below to achieve the goal of net-zero by December 2030 for Atellica systems production, the Swords biodiversity team created a space for employees to grow their own produce, including Siemens Healthineers Honey. Employees are also encouraged to bike to work, and electric vehicle chargers are available for those who drive. Single-use coffee cups have been eliminated in cafeterias.
Sustainability in Mishawaka, Indiana
In the USA, our Mishawaka site in Indiana is committed to sustainability and has taken a major step toward eliminating landfill waste. With the goal of zero waste to landfill solutions, they are now 98% zero waste to landfill. In 2024, 231 tons of trash went to the TTF landfill diversion site.1
Through these initiatives, they are reducing environmental and societal impacts by preventing pollution, conserving resources, and promoting sustainability. Flip the cards below to see the impact.
Avoided 554 tons of CO2 equivalent greenhouse gases
Reduced need for 77 tons of coal or 9,702 gallons of fuel oil.
Generated 127,050 kWh of renewable energy, enough to power 142 homes for a month.
Recycled 11,550 pounds of metal that would otherwise have been landfilled.
Shipping and Packaging: Sustainability accomplishments at our distribution center
Did you know that our Atellica analyzers are packaged with 57.5% sustainable content recycled materials including a FSC certified wooden pallet? Scroll through the gallery below to see other ways we've reduced our carbon footprint.
CO2 emissions from transport
Between FY22 and FY25, emissions were reduced by 30%.
Driving environmental strategy for the IVD industry
We are active members of several European and global industry associations, participating in various working groups and engaging in topics such as:
- Environment and sustainability
- Chemicals
- Electrical and electronic equipment
We are proactively monitoring the regulatory landscape on future bio-hazardous materials
Our products are compliant with ISO45001 and ISO14001 international standards for Health & Safety and Environmental Protection, as well as with FDA, EPA, REACH2, RoHS, IVDR and other authoritative bodies.
We are improving product sustainability by eliminating specific bio-hazardous chemicals and reformulating products
We are working to phase out identified Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) from our widely used IVD products, aiming to replace them with safer alternatives where technically and economically feasible.
Triton: 4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol, ethoxylated (aka OPE or Triton): we aim for a reduction of 72% by the end of 2025 (from 2020 levels). Starting November 2025, we will begin replacing Triton X100 with Tergitol, a more environmentally friendly alternative, in free-light chain (FLC) consumables.
PFAS: Triton X-100: we, along with our reagent suppliers, are working to remove PFAS from products and raw materials.
In addition, we are voluntarily implementing plans in R&D and manufacturing to remove other harmful chemicals from reagents and consumables.
Elimination of toluene, and benzene from organic synthesis of acridinium esters used in our immunoassays.
User Impact
Understanding energy consumption (kWH) is key to making better sustainable choices
Actual Atellica Electrical Consumption
Atellica CI Analyzer
Atellica CH Analyzer
Atellica IM Analyzer
Premier Integrated Labs reduced water consumption by ~54% and energy consumption by ~48%, which had a direct impact on energy savings and reduced CO2 emissions.
Atellica CI and Atellica Solution Analyzers consume the least water compared to other combined analytical systems
"We reduced water consumption by >36% and energy consumption by >40%, while increasing our annual throughput by 13.7%."
End-of-life Impact
Atellica CH 930 and Atellica IM 1300/1600 Analyzers are available as new or Certified systems†
Certified Atellica systems offer the same high performance as new analyzers; while reusing instrument housing and other materials helps reduce our carbon footprint, supporting our sustainability mission.
A stringent selection process is required to include a system in the Certified Atellica Program, to provide a quality level that is comparable to new.
- Factory-restored to the equivalent standard of a new instrument under the same rigorous Proven Excellence standards, including the latest hardware and software updates.
- The same services are offered for the Certified Atellica Program as for a new system, including warranty, application training, and service contracts.
In addition to the Certified Atellica Program, we leverage refurbishment initiatives to reduce the need for new manufacturing of spare parts. By implementing high-quality refurbishment initiatives, we aim:
- To extend product lifespan, reducing the frequency and the demand for new manufacturing.
- To enhance the recyclability of our products by reducing the number of spare parts which are typically discarded.
We encourage the return of Atellica analyzers to our Swords, Ireland factory for full refurbishment, potentially doubling their operational lifetime.
† Rigorously restored systems that adhere to the same quality assurance measures used for factory-new systems. Certified to Siemens Healthineers’ Proven Excellence standard. Product availability varies by country and is subject to varying regulatory requirements.
ACT Ecolabels for Certified Atellica Analyzers
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Certified Atellica IM 1300 Analyzer
My Green Lab Certification
Sustainable change happens in the clinical laboratory
Siemens Healthineers is the sole IVD manufacturer recognized as the European and UK market accelerator for My Green Lab Clinical Laboratory Certification.
We are committed to providing ongoing service improvements to provide better customer care while reducing emissions.
My Green Lab Certification is considered the gold standard for life sciences laboratory sustainability best practices around the world. Supported by third-party verification from Impact Laboratories, My Green Lab Certification has engaged >4500 labs in 50 countries.
- Our Siemens Healthineers My Green Lab Accredited Professionals will be assisting clinical laboratories with achieving their sustainability facility certifications.
- Laboratories can earn Bronze, Platinum, or Green ratings.
- This collaboration will help identify opportunities for further sustainability conservation and process improvements.
"The My Green Lab project confirmed that the biochemistry department at The Royal Oldham Hospital, which is part of Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA), was already well underway in implementing strategies to work towards delivering a Net Zero NHS.
Taking part in the My Green Lab certification program has helped raise awareness in the laboratory with staff and is expected to create a positive culture change with staff working together towards the NCA Green Plan."
