'Green' specifying: myth and reality – part 2

We continue our look at the variety of methods used to help specifiers – and manufacturers – differentiate between the different hues of green in so-called ‘green’ specifying. This issue, we focus on UK and EU classification schemes, and on how the right information can make the difference between getting specified, and not.

Whereas whole life costing (WLC) of products and assemblies is relatively straightforward, dealing with the environmental impacts using life cycle assessment (LCA) is more complex. Thankfully, for some products and assemblies, the complexities of LCA are simplified by the use of single score eco-rating schemes developed by the BRE (Ecopoints and the green A/B/C rating system). Note the word 'some' – relatively few proprietary products have been independently assessed to date under the BRE Environment Profiles methodology, from which Ecopoint scores are derived.

Eco-labelling schemes, such as EU Eco-labels, have a limited range of coverage for products associated with building construction. Thus, for many products, decisions on selection have to be made without the benefit of an independently derived green scoring or rating system. There are other information sources and databases to tap, for example those produced by the Association of Environment Conscious Building (AECB). Here, product data may include Ecopoints where the product has been rated or, where it has not been rated, best available data on its green credentials. However, where there is no independent product assessment specifiers know that they do well to treat manufacturers' claims about the green credentials of their products with care. For example, it may be prudent to question how far the product has had to travel (from Scotland or from China?), and what exactly the nature and proportion of its recycled content is. Common sense is frequently called upon. From the manufacturer’s point of view of course, it makes sense to ensure that your product information contains the answers to all these questions.

Conventional product certification schemes, such as Kitemarking, CE marking and Agrèment certification, can include ‘green’ attributes. For example, certified products may include waste content, either in the form of recycled materials or in the form of secondary industrial by-product waste, such as pulverized fuel ash (PFA) in cements and flue gas desulphurization (FGD) gypsum in plasterboards. Of course, as more and more European product and materials standards include green attributes such as recycled content and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, green specification will become more straightforward. From the manufacturer’s perspective again however, being among the first to provide that information regardless can only help the specifier in their choice.

Any discussion on green specification, and the difficulty of establishing green credentials for products, will often come round to the example of timber and timber-based products. Despite commitment from the timber trade, environmental organisations and various certification schemes, obtaining timber from certified legal and sustainable sources is still not a straightforward process. For one thing, certification requires a chain of custody to be established, and this is quite a challenge. Also, there are only limited supplies of certified timber, which often makes specification statements like 'all timber to be obtained from a certified source' unrealistic and difficult to enforce. Clued-up specifiers will often seek alternative assurances about the legality and sustainability of timber sources from suppliers who have adopted an environmental purchasing policy.

While architects and engineers develop a deeper understanding of the true meaning of ‘green’ specifying, and standards agencies grapple with the complexities of a multifarious subject area, manufacturers can themselves improve their chances of getting specified simply by including within datasheets clear, in-depth and intelligent information about their products’ journey from raw material to construction site in case studies.

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