Online Green Guide to take over Europe

The BRE has plans to make its new online version of the Green Guide to Specification the most authoritative guide to environmental performance in Europe.

The new version of the guide, which helps designers select environmentally-friendly materials, includes 1200 specifications – 800 more than the previous version.

It uses A+ to E ratings to determine the environmental performance of construction products from “cradle to grave”, using 13 different criteria including climate change, waste disposal and acidification.

In efforts to make it the industry’s single rating scheme, its assessment process will be licensed to the BBA, so the rating can also be displayed on product certificates.

Construction Products Association industry affairs director John Tebbit said further work would also be done to increase the reach of the guide.

He said there were plans to make it broadly compatible with European standards in several years time.

And he said it was hoped future ratings would also incorporate information on the responsible sourcing of materials and include more niche products.

The site will also eventually include information on how to fit products to be more efficient.

He said: “I am very grateful that manufacturers and suppliers have put huge amounts of time and effort into providing BRE Global with the most up to date and comprehensive data to ensure the Guide is the definitive work.”

The updated guide will be available online at thegreenguide.org.uk from Friday.