FAQs
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Q & A on SGBC – Singapore Green Building Product (SGBP) Certification
1) What Makes a Building Product or Material Green?
There is no single definition or standard exists to describe a “green building product”.
However, the common product standards and criteria includes
• Products made with salvaged, recycled or agricultural waste content
• Products that conserve natural resources
• Products that avoid toxic and other emissions
• Products that save energy and water
• Products that contribute to a safe, healthy built environment
2) What are the types of product certification available?
a) First Party
• Self declaration
• Provides some type of verification of assurance, or certification to a standard or set of criteria
• No independent, third party testing or auditing
b) Second Party
• Performed under the auspices of an interested party, i.e. Industry-based organization provides the standard, or set of criteria for certification
• Lab or organization conducting any testing or auditing may be third party or independent agent
• Test data are measured against an industry-managed standard or guideline
c) Third Party
• Performed by independent body with no ties other than fee for service
• Specified criteria or standards are industry-independent
• Verification performed through a certifying body conducting data reviews, auditing and/or independent testing
3) What type of product certification does SGBC – SGBP Certification falls under?
SGBC – SGBP Certification falls under the Third Party Certification.
4) How are the assessment criteria for the SGBC-SGBP certification being established?
The assessment criteria are establish based on the following development guiding principle:-
• The SGBC-SGBP certification
- adopts ISO 14020 definitions of Type I
- a voluntary, multiple-criteria based
- 3rd party program
- To meet overall environmental criteria of an established product group or product category
• The criteria set are based on simplified life cycle inventory, and where feasible to include impact assessment
• Technically robust and consistent with environmental and sustainable focus
5) How are the products being assessed?
For the SGBC-SGBP certification, the products are assessed on the following primary criteria:
• Energy efficiency
• Water efficiency
• Resource efficiency
• Health and Pollution Control
• Other requirements such as environment quality management system and technical performance/ Innovations
The assessment will include the secondary criteria which includes criteria ranking/ score weighting, min. performance threshold & score, mandatory criteria and bonus score.
Finally, the total score will be normalized to 100 point% which will then determine the SGBC-SGBP certification score method.
6) What are the scoring method?
The scoring method are as follow:-
50-60% Certified (1 tick)
61-75% Good (2 ticks)
76-85% Excellent (3 ticks)
85% & above Leader (4 ticks)
7) What are the merits of SGBC-SGBP Certification?
• Multi-criteria approach provides a holistic, accurate and comprehensive assessment that matches BCA Green Mark assessment needs.
• As a level 3 evaluation system, there is proper documentation and evidence supporting the level of equipment efficiency, greenness for health and environment, and hence the published ratings are reliable and accurate
• An independent third party assessment and certification by SGBC is more trustworthy and reliable, and hence it will readily receive endorsement and adoption by public and private institutions and agencies.
• 4 levels of rating give a good range of differentiation. This gives incentives to suppliers to conduct R&D for continual improvements and development of products.
8) What are the list of product categories and types available SGBC-SGBP Certification?
Currently, the list in phase 1 includes the following:
• Mechanical - Chiller, Pump, Motor, Fans and Auto tube cleaning system
• Electrical - Electronic Ballast, Transformers and LV Switchboards
• Facade & Envelope - Paints & Coating and Window film
• Concrete & Structures – Cement
• Interior Systems – Ceilings (Mineral Fibreboard, Gypsum Plasterboard, Calcium Silicate & metal), Drywalls – Gypsum Plasterboard, Insulating Materials– Rockwool, Fibreglass & Polystyrene, Composite Wood Products and Access Flooring panels.
• Finishes - Adhesive and Wall covering
• Renewable Energy - Mass produced Solar PV modules with three key components ie. PV modules, PV inverters and PV cable
• Recycled Material - Construction and demolition waste, Process spent cooper slag and Wood waste
For those product categories or types that are not indicated in the list for phase 1, they will be looked into at a later time.
9) How much is the application fee and validity of certification?
The application fee for certification is based on a tier fee structure and validity period of certification is based on 2 years. Confidentiality of information and integrity of information management is assured with clear established approving authority and appeal if necessary.
The application lays emphasis on legal consequences and accuracy of information.
10) How will SGBP be recognized in the region?
SGBC is in the process of applying for SGBP to join GEN, the Global Ecolabelling Network. The Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN) is a non-profit association of third-party, environmental performance recognition, certification and labelling organizations founded in 1994 to improve, promote, and develop the “ecolabelling” of products and services. Some of the members include US Green Seal, Nordic Swan and Germany’s Blue Angel.