The GBCA Assessment Framework for Product Certification Schemes was released in June 2009, as part of the GBCA's ongoing review of the Green Star environmental rating system for buildings.
The new Assessment Framework is the result of extensive dialogue with Green Star stakeholders in Australia, the appointment of an independent Expert Reference Panel and feedback from manufacturers and building industry professionals. The GBCA has developed the new Assessment Framework to:
Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ section has been separated into the following headings for quick reference, but readers may find it of interest to view all FAQs
- General
- What do product suppliers or manufacturers need to know?
- What do specifiers need to know?
- What do certification bodies need to know?
Eco Label – General
Eco-labels that are currently recognised by the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC) are posted on the Products and Material Certification page on the Green Star NZ website. Click here to view.
As an eco-label successfully passes the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) Assessment Framework it will be posted here on the NZGBC website.
Due to confidentiality, the GBCA are unable to disclose this information. Those labels that successfully pass the GBCA Assessment Framework will be posted here on the NZGBC website.
Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) and other international eco-labels will be recognised by Green Star NZ when the eco-label has successfully passed the GBCA Assessment Framework.
There was a proposal for mutual recognition put forward by the NZGBC in August 2009, however this was not supported by the majority of respondents. For more information please click here to refer to the Eco-label Fact Sheet and Feedback documents.
The GBCA is retaining recognition of GECA. Product certification schemes can choose whether or not they wish to go through the GBCA Assessment Framework. Please refer the supplier or manufacturer to this page on the GBCA website for more information.
Eco Label – What do product suppliers or manufacturers need to know?
No, the Assessment Framework is intended for the product certification scheme that provides the eco-label and not for the products themselves. As a product supplier or manufacturer you could consider approaching the product certification organisation to see if they are willing to go though the Assessment Framework.
If your product has an eco-label that is not currently recognised by the NZGBC please refer to this page on the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) website.
For further details on how the product certification scheme that provides the eco-label can apply for assessment against the GBCA Assessment Framework. A submission may be made by the product certification scheme or by another party on their behalf provided the appropriate documentation can be supplied.
No, this is not a requirement of NZGBC membership. The NZGBC works with our members in this category to help them understand this space.
In certain Credits, Green Star NZ also recognises products and materials that feature other environmental attributes such as high percentages of recycled content, product stewardship schemes and ISO14001 or EnviroMark. Please click here to download the relevant Excel tool for further details.
Eco Label – What do specifiers need to know?
If there is a product that has an eco-label that is not currently recognised by the NZGBC please click here to refer the supplier or manufacturer to the Green Building Council of Australia website.
For further details on how the product certification scheme that provides the eco-label can apply for assessment against the GBCA Assessment Framework. The supplier or manufacturer may contact the product certification scheme and direct them to the same above website for details on how they might apply to become recognised. A submission may be made by the product certification scheme or by another party on their behalf provided the appropriate documentation can be supplied.
In certain Credits, Green Star NZ also recognises products and materials that feature other environmental attributes such as high percentages of recycled content, product stewardship schemes and ISO14001 or EnviroMark. For more information please click here to download the relevant Excel tool for further details.
Eco-labels that successfully meet the GBCA Assessment Framework will achieve equivalent points to Environmental Choice NZ (ECNZ) during the 'interim period'. This interim period runs from 1 November 2009 until 31 July 2010. At the conclusion of this period, the NZGBC will review the interim approach, and determine whether any modifications should be made to the approach, consulting with industry.
Click here to keep an eye on the Product and Material Certification page of the NZGBC website for the latest information on recognised eco-labels. This will be updated as and when further eco-labels successfully pass through assessment against the GBCA Assessment Framework.
Eco Label – What do certification bodies need to know?
After consultation with members and industry (put forward in the Eco-label Recognition Proposal and summarised in the Eco-label Feedback document available at this link), the NZGBC have adopted the new Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) Assessment Framework for Product Certification Schemes released in June 2009.
If you are a 'type 1' certification body and your eco-label is not currently recognised within Green Star NZ you could consider applying to go through the GBCA Assessment Framework. Please refer to the GBCA website for further information.
