First scheme recognised under new green star assessment framework

The Carpet Institute of Australia’s Environmental Certification Scheme (ECS) is the first to be recognised under the Green Building Council of Australia’s (GBCA’s) Assessment Framework for Product Certification Schemes.

The recognition means that carpet products certified by the ECS (under the 2010 issued upgrade of the standard) may achieve points under the Materials Category in the Green Star environmental rating tools for buildings.

According to the GBCA’s Green Star Executive Director Robin Mellon, ECS became the first recognised product certification scheme after stringent independent assessment.

The GBCA does not test, review or certify products or materials being used in buildings registered for Green Star. Instead, third-party certification bodies are relied on for testing and environmental assessments of products and materials.

The ECS certification is applicable to carpets and corresponds with the Flooring Calculator in Green Star rating tools. Full details of the recognition are available on the GBCA website.

Schemes may apply for approval by using the Assessment Framework for Product Certification Schemes.

The new Assessment Framework for Product Certification Schemes was developed as part of the GBCA’s ongoing review of the Green Star environmental rating system for buildings.

For further information about the GBCA’s Assessment Framework for Product Certification Schemes, visit the website.