The Project on Environmental Declaration Scheme for Construction and Building Materials (December 2012-December 2015) is initiated by SIRIM Berhad in collaboration with The Carbon Trust, UK, FMM, MGBC and BMDAM to spur the country towards sustainable consumption and production of building materials.
The overall project's mission is illustrated by the diagram below:
The project through a series of deliberation sessions with industry players has identified ten products for the implementation of a carbon footprint (CFP) labeling scheme covering;
- Wall coating
- Sanitary ware
- Plumbing pipes
- Ceilings
- Floor finishing
- Gypsum Wall & Ceiling panels
- Masonry unit
- Structural steel
- Architectural steel
- Architectural roofing
Overview of the pilot program
The pilot program for CFP is undertaken to introduce and promote CFP labeling as part of the larger component of eco-labelling initiatives. Eco-labelling is a communication tool used by many “going green” inclined industries and services.
A total of 50 Malaysian SME will be shortlisted to go through this pilot program. Ultimately at the end of the program, 10 SMEs with extended privileges (covering necessary material testing, process audit, etc.) will be ensured to achieve certification and labeling as the final showcase.
Benefits to participating SMEs in the pilot program
Participating in this scheme will bring a wide variety of benefits to the Malaysian SMEs, which include;
- Free participation in seminars and workshops
- Free assistance in guiding and profiling CFP on the selected product
- Full coverage of certification application and related cost incurred (for final selected 10 SMEs)
- Access to valuable and credible information on the carbon footprint of selected products. This information is increasingly being requested by business customers and consumers as part of their purchasing decision
- Use of the new SIRIM carbon footprint label for selected products and marketing materials
- Information on where efficiencies and cost savings could be made in the production of selected product
- Staying ahead of the competition by taking the lead in environmental management of the SME business
- Importantly, participation in the project is currently free for the SME, as it is funded by the European Union (EU). Fees will apply if the SME decide to footprint and label subsequent product
