The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has released a new Assessment Framework for Product Certification Schemes as part of its ongoing review of the Green Star environmental rating system for buildings.
"The new Assessment Framework will clarify best practice benchmarks and establish expectations for manufacturers and suppliers of fitout products, as well as for the certification schemes that are recognised through Green Star," says Robin Mellon, GBCA's Green Star executive director.
The GBCA expects that the costs of product certification for manufacturers and suppliers will decrease as more certification options become available, as will the costs and commercial barriers associated with Green Star fitouts.
A new Green Star Material Calculator and User Guide that will complement the new Framework are being developed with input from an independent Expert Reference Panel.
Products and materials which are certified by GBCA-recognised certification schemes will have greater access to the 'deemed to satisfy' compliance status within the Green Star Material Calculators.
Previously, only Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) certified products were 'deemed to satisfy' the requirements of the material calculator credits in Green Star rating tools. The GBCA will continue to recognise GECA certified products during a transition period from June 30, 2009 to July 1, 2010. GECA certified products will continue to be recognised after this date provided that GECA and the standards it operates comply with the full scope of the Framework.
