We have identified two key issues that are influencing sustainability right now - calling out implications for product manufacturers in particular. The first is greater client expectation around human and labour rights and the extension of this through manufacturers’ supply chains. The second trend is focused on the health and wellbeing of building occupants and the health impacts of products.
1. Market trends and clients expectations - Sustainable Supply Chain
Over the last few years, a lot of our clients’ customers have started requesting more than just product ecolabelling certification such as GECA, Global GreenTag and AFRDI GreenTick.
We are seeing now that sustainability requirements for businesses are aligning with Corporate Social Responsibility. This is being driven by the major construction companies and large corporations. There is mounting pressure on businesses to ensure that they address adverse human rights AND impacts linked to their supply chains, as well as environmental impacts.
Corporations want to partner with sustainable businesses and are conducting supply chain due diligence to mitigate risk of human and labour rights abuses. Most of the larger corporations publish annual sustainability reports, which look at sustainable supply chain outcomes. They have an obligation to their stakeholders and shareholders to report on matters such as environmental performance and human and labour rights due diligence, within their own production processes and their supply chain.
These corporations want to ensure that their suppliers (i.e. product manufacturers) are addressing environmental issues, that they have workplace health and safety systems in place and that they have policies and procedures to address human and labour issues.
A summary of how to meet market expectations:
- Ensure internal workplace health and safety policies, procedures, risk assessmentsand training is in place
- Have internal human and labour rights policies to address anti-discrimination, workplace harassment and bullying, fair pay, forced or compulsory labour, freedom of association and mechanisms for staff to raise grievances
- Have systems in place to address environmental impacts
- And for the above requirements to be extended to YOUR suppliers (environmental and human rights compliance)
Product certification schemes recognized by the Green Building Council of Australia’s (GBCA’s) have also adopted supply chain due diligence as part of their certification requirements.
When you think about furniture procurement, it is likely that some if not all components that make up a chair, workstation or table are being sourced from overseas, potentially from developing nations where there is a greater risk of human and labour rights issues and poor environmental compliance. Though, human rights issues are not confined to developing nations, they too can occur in countries like Australia.
Procurement managers, construction companies and end users understand this and want to see product manufacturers addressing these issues.
For further reading and understanding of the current state of sustainable supply chains in Australia, then click on the below link for a report conducted by the UN Global Compact and EY - The State of Sustainable Supply Chains, Building Responsible and Resilient Supply Chains.
2. Market trends & clients’ expectations – health impacts of products
Green Buildings have always had a focus on occupant health, though with the introduction of the WELL Building Standard this will give a greater focus on not only occupant health but the wellbeing of the occupants and how this can positively impact productivity.
The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) is partnering with the International WELL Building Institute™(IWBI™) and has agreed to work collaboratively to promote health and wellbeing in the design, construction and operations of buildings, fit outs and communities in Australia.
“Increasingly, leaders in Australia’s property and construction industry are looking to pursue more than one rating to demonstrate transparency, accountability and sustainability,” says the GBCA’s Head of Market Transformation, Jorge Chapa.
The WELL Building Standard ™ (WELL) is the first building standard to focus exclusively on the health and wellness of the people in buildings. WELL is a performance-based system for measuring and certifying features of the built environment that impact health and wellbeing, through air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort and mind.
So, how will this affect product manufacturers?
The table below lists the WELL requirements that relate to product manufacturers. It also lists the corresponding Green Star requirement, which may be familiar to a number of you.
A summary of key takeaways to assist you in meeting market expectations
Consider all life cycle aspects of your product, including:
1. Material selection - Product Emissions
Volatile Organic compounds (VOC)
If your company manufactures or assembles furniture or materials that contain plastics, timbers, foams, fabrics, powder coated materials and uses adhesives, then have the product tested for VOCs.
Formaldehyde
If the product contains engineered wood products (laminated board), composite veneer or plywood then ensure your product is EO board and ensure you have certificates to verify this.
2. Material selection - Elimination of hazardous and prohibited substances
Be able to ensure that your product contains no hazardous or prohibited substances and be sure you can verify this.
3. Design Phase - Ergonomics
Ensure your furniture item or equipment is designed with ergonomic features that safeguard against repetitive stress injuries, maximise comfort and allow for adjustable work settings.
Further Guidance
For more information on the partnership between the Green Building Council of Australia and WELL certification, click on the below links:
Or, if you would like to download and explore the Well Building Standard in greater detail, click on the link here.