Wienerberger has become the first brick manufacturer in the world to achieve a BES 6001 Responsible Sourcing Certificate. All of the bricks currently manufactured at Wienerberger’s Warnham factory in West Sussex have achieved the accreditation.
The BRE Global Environmental and Sustainability Standard (BES 6001) provides a framework for assessing the responsible sourcing of construction products. To meet the Standard, organisations must satisfy a number of requirements relating to organisational management, the supply chain, environmental issues and corporate social responsibility.
John Sandford, Wienerberger’s technical director, said: “This certification will ensure that we can meet the increasing customer demand for responsibly-sourced products. It provides independent approval of our bricks, making it easier for housebuilders, contractors and architects to specify our products.
“Importantly, the Code for Sustainable Homes also recognises BES 6001. As a result, developers using certified products such as our Warnham bricks will be able to achieve additional credits.”
A number of environmental initiatives at the Warnham site were recognised as part of the certification, including the use of 100 per cent renewable electricity and 30 per cent recycled water. The bricks are also made with a significant amount of recycled material content
John Sandford continued: “Achieving BES 6001 builds on our strong green credentials. For example, we were also the first brick manufacturer in the world to achieve the ISO 14001 environmental management standard.
“It also highlights our commitment to providing sustainable solutions - we are continuously improving our production processes to ensure we can lead the industry in this area and hope to achieve the BES 6001 accreditation across our other sites in the near future.”
Paul Gibbon, BRE Global director of sustainability, said: “We are delighted to be awarding Wienerberger’s Warnham factory with their first Responsible Sourcing Certificate. BRE Global has worked with leading stakeholders to develop this Standard to provide a level playing field for the sustainability of construction products. It takes into account specific environmental, economic and social impacts and provides recognition for suppliers embracing genuine sustainability.”
Details of the Wienerberger bricks which have been approved to BES 6001 can be found on www.greenbooklive.com – the online database designed to help specifiers and end users identify products and services that can help to reduce their impact on the environment.
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Click here to download the BES 6001 Responsible Sourcing Certificate:
