Leading manufacturer of interior fit-out solutions, SAS International, has announced that it has gained independent verification for its Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). This important verification for the company's entire range of suspended ceiling systems means that specifiers can quickly make well-informed, environmentally-based decisions to meet building project demands in the GCC.
SAS International was the first UK manufacturer to achieve 15 individual ISO 14025 EPDs, covering over 145 different grid and acoustic backing options. Having achieved independent verification for all EPDs on its ceiling systems, SAS International demonstrates its leadership in the market.
Andrew Jackson, Director at SAS International explains: "With EPDs that are independently verified, SAS International stands out in a marketplace crowded with sustainable or environmental product claims. With independent verification of our EPDs the specifier can rest assured that the data is reliable and trustworthy. Independent verification makes it simpler for specifiers to select truly sustainable solutions."
It is now considered best practice for the underlying data, data handling and the EPD itself to be subject to independent verification and official registration. In SAS International's case the third-party EPD validation proves that the data collected was in accordance with the applicable PCR and ISO requirements. The EPDs have been certified as meeting the latest ISO 14025 Product Category Rule (PCR) for construction products - BS EN 15804:2012.
Meeting market demands
Clients, architects and customers are demanding more information about how manufacturers can demonstrate environmental credentials. It is becoming an important requirement for ceiling specification.
Demand for environmental compliance has been growing to achieve high credits in LEED*, Estidama's Pearl** and BREEAM** Rating Schemes. EPDs are included in LEED V4 in new criteria for the Materials and Resources Category.
LEED has been a driver in the GCC, along with new green building codes for the region, for optimising designs and responsible sourcing of materials. A high LEED rating can help make properties stand out from the crowd to gain early rental.
EPDs are a key consideration when designers and clients need to make a comparison as to the environmental performance of two or more similar products before specifying a solution.
In the past manufacturers would often get EPDs completed in accordance with general raw materials only, or through specialist product associations. This meant individual EPDs on specific ceiling products, over the entirety of their life cycle, were not widely available. This made full environmental impacts much harder to determine clearly, on a case by case basis.
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LEED*
Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) is a green building certification programme that recognises best-in-class building strategies and practices. To receive LEED certification, building projects satisfy prerequisites and earn points to achieve different levels of certification.
The Pearl Rating System** is a framework for sustainable design, construction and operation of communities, buildings and villas. The PRS is unique in the world as it is specifically tailored to the hot climate and arid environment of Abu Dhabi.
BREEAM***
BREEAM is one of the world's foremost environmental assessment methods and rating systems for buildings, with 250,000 buildings with certified BREEAM assessment ratings and over a million registered for assessment since it was first launched in 1990.
SAS International's EPDs were originally assessed by engineering and design consultancy Atkins in 2012. The entire life cycle from 'cradle to grave' was assessed which included raw materials, transport to factory, manufacturing and delivery to multiple global sites including to the Middle East/Dubai.
About SAS International
SAS International is a British manufacturer of interior fit-out products driven by delivering quality, innovation and providing maximum value to clients and specifiers worldwide. With over 40 years' experience SAS International produces high performance metal products including metal ceiling systems and architectural metalwork solutions. On-going investment in manufacturing facilities and processes ensure SAS International provide value-engineered solutions across the built environment.
SAS International operates across the globe to help support clients, specifiers, contractors and engineers, from concept to completion and has offices and staff across Europe and in the Middle East.
From commercial, education and healthcare projects to large scale infrastructure and transportation hubs, the sustainable and practical solutions SAS International delivers provide considerable benefits and savings whilst exceeding design briefs. SAS International offers the highest quality solutions with minimal impact on the environment but maximum impact on the interior space.
SAS International contact details for publication
SAS International
Office No. 1, Sun & Sands Building
Dubai Investment Park 2
Dubai, P.O. Box 450575
United Arab Emirates
T: +971 (0)4 8855 545
F: +971 (0)4 8855 546
E: enquiries@sasintgroup.com
W: www.sasintgroup.com
Press contacts
Kate Stewart, The Think Tank
T: +44 (0) 20 7831 2225
F: +44 (0) 20 7831 1408
kates@thinktank.org.uk
© Press Release 2014
