Green building materials: waterproofing membrane

Core Content of Certification

The green building material certification for waterproof membranes focuses on the green performance throughout the product's lifecycle, examining the following four key attribute dimensions:

Resource Attributes: Includes the indicator of fresh water consumption, measured by water usage per unit product area. For one-star, the requirement is no more than 0.35 kg per square meter; for two-star, no more than 0.30 kg per square meter; for three-star, no more than 0.25 kg per square meter.

Energy Attributes: Focuses primarily on the comprehensive energy consumption per unit product. For reinforced modified asphalt membranes, one-star requires no more than 220 kg of standard coal per 1,000 square meters; two-star no more than 200 kg; three-star no more than 180 kg. For non-reinforced modified asphalt membranes, one-star requires no more than 130 kg of standard coal per 1,000 square meters; two-star no more than 100 kg; three-star no more than 90 kg.

Environmental Attributes: Covers the indicator of total suspended particulate concentration. One-star requires no more than 12 mg per cubic meter; two-star no more than 10 mg per cubic meter; three-star no more than 8 mg per cubic meter. Production enterprises must not intentionally add hazardous substances, including benzene, ethylene glycol ethers and their esters, diamines, organic solvents, ketones, persistent organic pollutants, ozone-depleting substances, phthalates, surfactants, polychlorinated naphthalenes, polychlorinated biphenyls, perfluoroalkyl compounds, etc. Enterprises must legally apply for and hold a pollutant discharge permit. The collection, storage, and disposal of general solid waste must comply with GB 18599, and the storage of hazardous waste must comply with GB 18597.

Quality Attributes: Covers durability indicators such as water resistance, hot air aging performance, and artificial accelerated aging performance. One-star and two-star require a 30% extension in hot air aging treatment time, while three-star requires a 100% extension.

Certification Levels and Evaluation System

The green building material product classification certification is based on the T/CECS 10038-2019 standard. Products are divided into three levels from low to high according to the evaluation indicator levels achieved:

One-Star: Meets basic green evaluation requirements and complies with national green building material fundamental standards. Enterprises must satisfy all requirements of the control items, and each evaluation indicator must meet the one-star baseline value. Fresh water consumption does not exceed 0.35 kg per square meter; energy consumption per unit product for reinforced membranes does not exceed 220 kg of standard coal per 1,000 square meters; total suspended particulate concentration does not exceed 12 mg per cubic meter.

Two-Star: Demonstrates good performance in resource conservation, energy consumption, and environmental protection, reaching the advanced level in the industry. Each evaluation indicator requirement is stricter than one-star. Fresh water consumption does not exceed 0.30 kg per square meter; energy consumption per unit product for reinforced membranes does not exceed 200 kg of standard coal per 1,000 square meters; total suspended particulate concentration does not exceed 10 mg per cubic meter.

Three-Star: Exhibits excellent green performance with minimal impact on the ecological environment throughout its lifecycle, representing the highest level of green building material products. Each evaluation indicator requirement is the most stringent. Fresh water consumption does not exceed 0.25 kg per square meter; energy consumption per unit product for reinforced membranes does not exceed 180 kg of standard coal per 1,000 square meters; total suspended particulate concentration does not exceed 8 mg per cubic meter.

Scope of Certified Products

This certification applies to the green building material evaluation of waterproof membranes. Certification units are divided into two major product categories: asphalt-based waterproof membranes and polymer waterproof membranes:

Asphalt-Based Waterproof Membranes: Includes reinforced modified asphalt-based waterproof membranes, non-reinforced modified asphalt-based waterproof membranes, and glass fiber-reinforced asphalt shingles.

Polymer Waterproof Membranes: Includes rubber-based polymer waterproof membranes and plastic-based polymer waterproof membranes.

If the same enterprise produces the same type of product at different production sites, they are considered as different certification units.

Basic Requirements for Certification

Enterprises applying for green building material certification for waterproof membranes and their products must meet the following basic conditions:

Compliance Requirements for Production and Operation: The production enterprise must comply with applicable national standards, local standards, and environmental impact assessment approval documents, and must obtain a local government pollutant discharge permit. There must be no major environmental pollution incidents or major safety accidents in the past three years.

Solid Waste Disposal Requirements: The collection, storage, and disposal of general solid waste must comply with GB 18599; the storage of hazardous waste must comply with GB 18597, and subsequent disposal must be carried out by units holding a hazardous waste operation permit.

Management System Requirements: The production enterprise must establish and operate a quality management system in accordance with GB/T 19001 and an environmental management system in accordance with GB/T 24001.

Product Conformity Requirements: The basic performance of waterproof membranes must meet the requirements of the corresponding product implementation standards, and a valid type inspection report within the past year must be provided.

Other Requirements: A list of key raw materials filed, relevant management documents for factory assurance capabilities, and proof of no major environmental pollution incidents or major safety accidents in the past three years must be submitted.

Certification Process

The implementation of green building material product classification certification adopts a model of initial inspection plus product sampling inspection plus post-certification supervision:

Certification Application: Submit application form, business license, product process flow chart, factory organizational chart, list of key raw materials filed, valid product type inspection report within one year, management system related documents, and other materials.

Document and Technical Review: The certification body evaluates the completeness, suitability, and validity of the application documents. The review conclusion is divided into three cases: meets requirements and can proceed to on-site inspection; basically meets requirements but requires supplementation and improvement; does not meet requirements and cannot proceed to on-site inspection.

Initial Factory Inspection: Includes factory assurance capability inspection, product consistency inspection, and verification of compliance with green evaluation requirements. On-site inspection focuses on the operation of the enterprise's energy management system, production energy consumption control measures, operation status of wastewater recovery systems, pollutant emission control measures, and solid waste disposal status.

Product Sampling Inspection: The certification body designates a laboratory with CMA qualifications to complete the sampling inspection. Inspection items include fresh water consumption, energy consumption per unit product, total suspended particulate concentration, water resistance, and durability.

Certification Result Evaluation and Approval: After the document and technical review, on-site inspection, and product sampling inspection are all passed, the certification body conducts a comprehensive evaluation, approves the certification decision, and issues the certificate. The certification certificate is valid for five years.

Post-Certification Supervision: After the enterprise obtains the certification, supervision is arranged with intervals not exceeding one year. Supervision includes factory assurance capability supervision inspection, product consistency supervision inspection, continuous compliance verification of green evaluation requirements, and product supervision inspection.

Recertification Audit: A recertification audit is conducted before the certificate expires to extend the certification qualification, typically with a cycle of five years.

Value of Certification

Enhancing Product Market Competitiveness: Green building material product certification is a nationally promoted voluntary product certification. Certified products can gain priority procurement and application in government procurement, key projects, municipal public works, and other projects. In government-funded public buildings, hospitals, schools, and other green building projects, green building material certification has become a mandatory qualification and bonus point for bidding and filing. Waterproof membranes are included in the green building material product classification certification catalog under waterproof sealing and building coatings.

Access to Policy Support and Financial Subsidies: Multiple provinces and cities provide financial rewards or fiscal support to enterprises that have passed green building material product certification. Certified enterprises can also enjoy tax incentives such as corporate income tax reductions. The government procurement policy supporting green building materials has been implemented in 101 cities (including municipal districts) such as Chaoyang District, Beijing.

Enhancing Bidding Competitiveness: The green building material certification certificate can serve as a bonus point in engineering bidding and procurement, helping enterprises enhance their differentiated bidding capabilities. Obtaining the green building material label is a necessary condition for enterprises to participate in major projects, government-invested project bidding, and to enter the qualified supplier list of large clients, as well as a bonus point in bidding.

Meeting Green Building Development Needs: With the implementation of the "Green Building Evaluation Standard" GB/T 50378-2019 and the promotion of green building creation actions, the required proportion of green building materials in newly constructed urban buildings is continuously increasing. As an important component of building waterproofing projects, certified waterproof membranes are more easily accepted in the green building market.

Responding to Dual Carbon Strategy Requirements: In the context of carbon peak and carbon neutrality, green building material product certification requires enterprises to conduct carbon footprint accounting and environmental product declarations, helping enterprises meet carbon emission control requirements and proactively prepare for low-carbon development.

Establishing Corporate Social Responsibility Image: Passing the certification demonstrates the enterprise's commitment and actions in resource conservation and environmental protection, enhancing customer trust, improving brand reputation, and meeting consumer demand for upgraded green building materials.