SPECIFIER NEWSLETTER – ISSUE 17 – JUNE 2022
This issue we’re looking at the responsible sourcing of construction products, something which is increasingly important to make construction more sustainable, especially in a linear economy.
You’ve probably heard of – and specified – the BES 6001 standard, and we’re looking at that standard in more detail. You can contact us to find out more about any of the topics we cover in the newsletter.
Focus on responsible sourcing
What is BES 6001 responsible sourcing certification?
BES 6001 is an environmental and sustainability standard, developed by the BRE, which provides a framework for assessing the responsible sourcing of products. Originally developed specifically for construction products, it has gone on to be adapted for, and used by, other industries. Here, we focus on its use in construction.
There can be a perception that it is the manufacturer or organisation who is certified under BES 6001, but in fact it is products that carry the certification. A manufacturer can therefore offer some products that have BES 6001 certification and others that don’t, so clear communication between manufacturers and specifiers is required to avoid confusion.
Why is BES 6001 responsible sourcing certification needed?
Constructing and maintaining our built environment consumes significant quantities of natural resources. Pressure on those resources is already high, and is only increasing as populations around the globe grow and become more urbanised.
Greater demand for resources makes it even more important to procure them responsibly. Natural resources come from all over the globe, including from communities that are not protected as we would hope or expect, and where people are at risk of exploitation or harm.
For UK construction professionals, having confidence in construction products means going beyond the manufacturer offering a particular product. Responsible sourcing certification shows that the manufacturer understands their supply chain and knows the origin of the materials they’re using, thereby supporting a more sustainable approach to material use.
While BES 6001 certification has typically allowed projects to claim more credits in schemes like BREEAM or LEED, responsible sourcing has taken on a much deeper and more fundamental importance. Transparency is core to ethical business practices, and responsible organisations are actively seeking to measure themselves against available benchmarks.
How does BES 6001 measure responsible sourcing?
Assessment and certification under BES 6001 are carried out by an independent third party, and the standard’s requirements span three different areas. Two of those areas relate to the management practices of the manufacturer, with the third relating to the provenance of the materials used in the product manufacture.
• Organisational management.
• Management of sustainable development.
• Supply chain management.
Continue reading and find out more about each of these three areas.
Polyfoam resource
What is extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation? How does it perform compared to other common insulation types? What makes it the ideal choice for below ground, ground floor, and inverted flat roof applications?
Our CPD presentation, accredited by the CPD Certification Service, answers all of these questions. View the seminar online or contact us to arrange online delivery to your team.
What’s caught our eye this month
Asbestos recycled to create cement substitute via CIAT
Industry joins forces to launch Built Environment Virtual Pavilion for COP26 via UKGBC
The future of the built environment according to Mace via bimplus
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