A new version of a global standard behind 300,000 certifications annually, including parties developing Product Category Rules (PCR) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) backing green building rating measures, places increased emphasis on life-cycle thinking, considering each stage of a product or service, cradle to grave. Released last month from Geneva-based International Organization for Standardization, ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems likewise addresses users’ recognition of the need to factor both external and internal elements that influence their impact, including climate volatility, plus proactive initiatives for greater environmental protection.
Read MoreTag: Environmental Product Declarations
Life cycle factors gain in revised benchmark environmental standard
Sources: International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Geneva; CP staff
A new version of a global standard behind 300,000 certifications annually, including parties developing Product Category Rules (PCR) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) backing green building rating measures, places increased emphasis on life-cycle thinking, considering each stage of a product or service, cradle to grave. ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems likewise addresses users’ recognition of the need to factor both external and internal elements that influence their impact, including climate volatility, plus proactive initiatives for greater environmental protection.
Read MoreMajor auditor NSF attains accreditation for PCR development, EPD verification
Global public health organization NSF International, Ann Arbor, Mich., is among the first organizations to be recognized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as a program operator for product category rules (PCR) development and environmental product declarations (EPD) verification. As a PCR and EPD program operator, NSF International will help meet growing demand for standardization of science-based environmental data, reporting and verification.
Construction life cycle assessment pioneer retools Pavement software
Sources: Athena Sustainable Materials Institute, Ottawa; CP staff
The developer of a life cycle assessment (LCA) tool informing ready mixed and manufactured-concrete interests’ product category rules (PCR) and environmental product declarations (EPD) has released Pavement LCA Version 2.1, succeeding the Impact Estimator for Highways software. Athena Institute envisioned the charter program for major freeway and arterial roadway assessment, but notes the tool can now gauge the environmental footprint of any roadway cross-section along its length and over its service life.
Read MoreNRMCA certifies five Graniterock plants’ Environmental Product Declarations
Northern California’s leading independent aggregate and concrete operator, Graniterock, has issued Environmental Product Declarations covering 30 mixes at three central and two transit mixed plants serving Silicon Valley and coastal markets south. National Ready Mixed Concrete Association certified the documents as an EPD Program Operator, adding them to a growing industry library hosted on its website.
Read MoreNRMCA certifies five Graniterock plants’ Environmental Product Declarations
Sources: National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Silver Spring, Md.; CP staff
Northern California’s leading independent aggregate and concrete operator, Graniterock, has issued Environmental Product Declarations covering 30 mixes at three central and two transit mixed plants serving Silicon Valley and coastal markets south. NRMCA certified the documents as an EPD Program Operator, adding them to a growing industry library hosted on its website.
Read MoreFree tutorial primes suppliers, manufacturers on LEED v4
Sources: GreenCE Inc., Ridgefield, Wash.; CP staff
Continuing education services provider GreenCE, Inc. cites the industry’s first comprehensive LEED v4 specification program for building product and material interests. The new U.S. Green Building Council rating system compels manufacturers and suppliers to submit product and material documentation as part of significant changes surrounding project credits.
Read MoreASTM publishes C150, C595 and C1157 product category rules
Sources: Portland Cement Association, Washington, D.C.; CP staff
With guidance from 10 PCA member companies, ASTM International has released product category rules (PCR) for six grades of binder under Committee C01 on Cement—portland, portland-limestone, blended hydraulic, masonry, mortar, and plastic (stucco)—providing producers and their customers a tool central to emerging green building practice: environmental product declarations (EPD).
Read MoreISO adds water usage, stewardship standard to Environmental management
The International Organization for Standardization’s new 14046, “Environmental management—Water footprint—Principles, requirements and guidelines” standard will allow a wide range of private and pubic entities the means to measure the environmental impact of their water use and pollution potential. It joins the ISO 14000 Environmental management series, whose “Type III Environmental Product Declarations” standard governs documents concrete interests are issuing as green building rating systems evolve.
Read MoreEPD-enabling Product Category Rule for Precast nears release
To support development of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) catering to contracts for green building certification candidate projects—especially those targeting the recently released LEED v4—producers and allied groups are finalizing a North American Precast Concrete Product Category Rule (PCR) through program operator ASTM International.
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