7.5 Responsible sourcing of construction products – Above Green

Aim

To encourage the procurement and use of sustainability and responsibly sourced construction products and materials.

7.5.1 Prerequisite: Legal and sustainable timber

Mandatory

Scope

Only scope out if no timber is used in the works.

Assessment Criteria

All timber and timber-based products used on the project are legal and sustainable timber as per the UK Government's Timber Procurement Policy (TPP).

Guidance

CEEQUAL follows the UK government's definition of legally sources timber, as outlined in the Central Point of Timber (CPET) 5th Edition of the UK Government Timber Procurement Policy (TPP).

At the time of writing, the policy requires all timber and wood-based products to be covered by at least one of the following:

Third party, independent forest certification schemes
Evidence on a case-by-case basis in line with the Framework for Evaluating Category B evidence

For avoidance of doubt, 100% of the timber and timber-based products must be compliant.

Evidence

Show that all timber and timber-based products used on the project meet the requirements for legal and sustainable timber as given in the TPP. May be either Category A or B.

7.5.2 Responsible sourcing of construction products - consideration (fixed)

(16 points in Design Stage)

Scope

Only scope out where it can be demonstrated that the use of locally sourced and recycled material is not appropriate or feasible.

Assessment Criteria

The responsible sourcing of materials has been evaluated through the development of sustainable procurement plan and specified as a project requirement prior to placing the order.

Guidance

Responsible sourcing of materials covers a range of issues, including organisational management systems, supply chain management systems, and a range of social and environmental issues (including GHG emissions, material traceability and life-cycle assessment).

The emphasis of these criteria rewards specifying and achieving responsible sourcing rather than just considering it. The scoring also rewards the consideration and specification of responsibly sourced materials at earlier stages in the project's lifecycle to reflect the greater influence that can be exerted at these stages.

Consideration to purchase materials from sustainable sources may be given via the specification of materials from the Client and/or Designer. Implementation will be in accordance with sector-specific schemes, contract requirements and/or the specification.

Evidence

May be a statement in a Client tender brief or contract documents, or record of discussions. Some substantiation of specification being claimed needs to be provided. Only BES 60010-based schemes or schemes that are third-party accredited as being compliant with BS 8902:2009 can be considered suitable. Schemes listed in GN18 are OK to submit as well.

7.5.3 Responsible sourcing of construction products - implementation (fixed)

(18 points in Construction Stage)

Assessment Criteria

The specification for responsible sourcing has been achieved.

Outcome	Credits
Less than 50% (by volume) achieved	5
50% or more (by volume) achieved	10
80% (by volume) achieved	18

Guidance

Evidence

Could be a comparison of specification requirements to overall material purchase, sub-contract documents with general material suppliers, or a declaration from the supplier. Some substantiation of specification being claimed needs to be provided. Only BES 60010-based schemes or schemes that are third-party accredited as being compliant with BS 8902:2009 can be considered suitable. Schemes listed in GN18 are OK to submit as well.

7.5.4 Locally sourced and recycled materials - early consideration (fixed)

(5 points in Strategy Stage)

Assessment Criteria

The Client required consideration be given to use of locally source and recycled material.

Guidance

The traditional approach of using standard designs and specification clauses can lead to the exclusion of acceptable locally sourced and more-sustainable material choices. Good practice of actively seeking sustainable local materials on a site-specific basis should be encouraged.

Evidence

Client's tender brief, design briefs or reports from research into materials sourcing.

7.5.5 Locally sourced and recycled materials - further consideration (fixed)

(5 points in Design Stage)

Assessment Criteria

The Designer and Contractor researched all locally available material sources, including recycled materials.

Guidance

Evidence

Client's tender brief, design briefs or reports from research into materials sourcing.

7.5.6 Locally sourced and recycled materials - use

(5 points in Design Stage)

Assessment Criteria

The Designer and Contractor adapted to the designs and specification to allow for their use where appropriate.

Guidance

Evidence

Client's tender brief, design briefs or reports from research into materials sourcing.