Environmental Leadership in the Tile Industry
Launched in 2012 by the Tile Council of North America (TCNA), Green Squared® is the first multi-attribute sustainability standard for ceramic and glass tiles, quarried stone, and tile installation materials. Third-party certification to Green Squared demonstrates environmental leadership and helps differentiate your brand. Green Squared also contributes to LEED v4 credits as well as meets EPA ecolabel and GSA procurement requirements.
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Envirolink is a leading third-party certifier of environmental claims in the green building industry with extensive flooring experience. We provide many complementary services to help manufacturers achieve their sustainability goals, including hpd ,epd’s and floorscore. Manufacturers will work with the same audit team each year, providing continuity and a streamlined approach to achieving and maintaining multiple certifications. Envirolink also provides marketing support upon certification to help manufacturers promote their product achievements.
Program Details
- Eligible Products : The following products may qualify for certification including, but not limited to: ceramic, porcelain, and glass tile; stone; and relevant installation goods.
- Certification Criteria : Under the Green Squared certification standard, products are evaluated based on successful conformance with criteria under five categories:
- Product Characteristics
- Manufacturing and Raw Material Extraction
- End of Product Life Management
- Progressive Corporate Governance
- Innovation
Process & Specifier Requirements
- Scope : Envirolink scopes the project and prepares a proposal which includes a detailed explanation of process, deliverables, cost, and timeline.
- Client agrees to scope, signs a work order, purchases the Green Squared standard, and an Envirolink account manager is assigned to guide the client through the certification process.
- Data Collection : Client completes Data Request Form, identifying mandatory and elective credits to be pursued and submits to the auditor along with supporting documentation.
- Once sufficient data is collected, an onsite audit is scheduled.
- Onsite Audit : The Envirolink auditor conducts an onsite audit.
- Onsite audits typically take 6-8 hours per facility.
- Corrective Actions : Client responds to any non-conformities or new information requests.
- Reporting : The Envirolink auditor prepares a draft assessment report that details the findings of the audit.
- Certification Decision : An Envirolink reviewer conducts a final review of the draft assessment report and makes the certification decision.
- Upon successful certification, client is listed in Envirolink Green Products Guide and is granted the right to use the approved logo, consistent with Envirolink guidelines.
- Certification Maintenance : Certification is valid for five years.
- Surveillance audits of a sampling of credits are required annually.
- Full scale renewal is required every five years.
- Green Squared qualifies for the following LEED v4 pilot credit:
- LEED BD+C: New Construction LEED v4 - Certified Multi-Attribute Products and Materials (pilot credit)
- To garner a LEED point under this credit, at least 25% by cost of the permanently installed building products on a project must meet a USGBC-approved product sustainability standard, like Green Squared, and have third-party validation to prove it.
- Products eligible to meet the LEED pilot credit must have conducted a product level LCA and use reclaimed manufacturing waste or recycled materials within the product.
- Green Squared is also approved to meet purchasing requirements for U.S. government agencies established by the EPA.
Benefits
- Contributes to LEED v4 credits and other building schemes
- Meets criteria for EPA ecolabel and GSA procurement requirements
- Provides a comprehensive review of manufacturers’ sustainability program
- Guides manufacturers on a path towards continuous improvement
- Meets minimum entry criteria for inclusion in the mindfulMATERIALS product library