Green building materials: metal composite decorative materials

Core Content of Certification

The Green Building Material Certification for Metal Composite Decorative Materials focuses on the green performance throughout the product's entire lifecycle, with core examination centered on the following four attribute dimensions:

• Resource Attribute: Includes indicators such as the comprehensive utilization rate of solid waste during production, the degree of raw material localization, and water resource consumption. Enterprises are encouraged to use recyclable materials, reduce the environmental impact of transportation through localized procurement, and pay attention to the environmental friendliness of raw materials. Aluminum profile producers are encouraged to use environmentally friendly processes to recycle external scrap aluminum.
• Energy Attribute: Focuses on the energy consumption per unit of product production. The comprehensive energy consumption during the production of metal composite decorative materials should meet the requirements of relevant energy consumption limit standards, including energy consumption control in processes such as sheet processing, coating, laminating, and assembly. The Three-Star certification requires production energy consumption to reach an advanced industry level, encouraging enterprises to adopt energy-saving production processes and clean energy technologies.
• Environmental Attribute: Covers indicators such as atmospheric pollutant emissions (non-methane hydrocarbons, particulate matter, etc.), workplace dust concentration, wastewater discharge, and noise control. Production enterprises must apply for and obtain pollutant discharge permits in accordance with the law and discharge pollutants according to the permit's stipulations. The collection, storage, and disposal of general solid waste should comply with the relevant provisions of GB 18599; the storage of hazardous waste should comply with the relevant provisions of GB 18597, and it should subsequently be handed over to a unit holding a hazardous waste management license for disposal.
• Quality Attribute: Based on relevant product standards, key performance indicators of metal composite decorative material products are tested, including fire performance, durability, and soluble heavy metal content in surface coatings. Fire performance is tested according to GB 8624. The durability of aluminum composite panels is tested according to the relevant provisions of GB/T 17748 and GB/T 22412, while the durability of steel composite panels is tested according to the relevant provisions of JG/T 516.

Certification Grades and Evaluation System

The Green Building Material Product Grading Certification, based on the T/CECS 10035-2019 standard, divides products into three grades from low to high according to the level of evaluation indicators achieved:

• One-Star: Meets basic green evaluation requirements and complies with national basic standards for green building materials. Enterprises must meet all requirements of control items, with each evaluation indicator reaching the One-Star baseline value.
• Two-Star: Demonstrates good performance in resource conservation, energy consumption, and environmental protection, reaching an advanced industry level. The requirements for each evaluation indicator are stricter than those for One-Star.
• Three-Star: Exhibits excellent green performance, with the minimal environmental impact throughout the entire lifecycle, representing the highest grade of green building material product. Three-Star requires production energy consumption per unit product to meet advanced value standards, with the strictest requirements for all evaluation indicators.

The evaluation method also considers the inclusion of bonus items, such as: actively focusing on the environmental impact throughout the lifecycle (e.g., issuing environmental declarations using scientific methods like LCA), using clean energy sources like green electricity, completing energy management system certification, and establishing a green factory.

Certification Unit Division

The Green Building Material Certification for Metal Composite Decorative Materials is divided into the following two certification units based on product type:

• Metal Composite Panels: Decorative panels with a three-layer structure featuring a plastic core layer sandwiched between two metal sheets. Includes Aluminum-Plastic Composite Panels, Copper-Plastic Composite Panels, Titanium-Zinc Composite Panels, Aluminum Honeycomb Composite Panels, Aluminum Corrugated Core Composite Aluminum Panels, etc.
• Metal Sheets/Strips: Single-layer metal sheets, including Aluminum Single Sheets, Color-Coated Steel Sheets, Porcelain Enameled Aluminum Panels, Single-Coated Fluorocarbon Aluminum Panels, etc.

Basic Certification Requirements

Enterprises and products applying for the Green Building Material Certification for Metal Composite Decorative Materials must meet the following basic conditions:

• Compliance Requirements for Production and Operation: The production enterprise should have no major environmental pollution incidents or major safety accidents in the past three years. The collection, storage, and disposal of general solid waste should comply with the relevant provisions of GB 18599; the storage of hazardous waste should comply with the relevant provisions of GB 18597, and it should subsequently be handed over to a unit holding a hazardous waste management license for disposal.
• Compliance of Production Equipment and Technology: The production enterprise should adopt advanced technologies and processes encouraged by the state and should not use technologies, processes, equipment, or related substances that have been declared obsolete or prohibited by the state or relevant departments.
• Management System Requirements: The production enterprise should establish and operate a Quality Management System and an Environmental Management System in accordance with GB/T 19001 and GB/T 24001, respectively.
• Product Qualification Requirements: The basic performance of metal composite decorative materials should meet the requirements of the corresponding current national or industry standards, including GB/T 17748 (Aluminum-Plastic Composite Panels for Curtain Wall of Building), GB/T 22412 (Aluminum-Plastic Composite Panels for General Decoration), GB/T 23443 (Aluminum Single Sheets for Architectural Decoration), GB/T 23444 (Metal and Metal Composite Ceiling Panels), JC/T 2113 (Aluminum Honeycomb Composite Panels for General Decoration), JC/T 2183 (Copper-Plastic Composite Panels), JG/T 334 (Aluminum Honeycomb Composite Panels for Building Exterior Wall), JG/T 516 (Color-Coated Steel Sheets for Architectural Decoration), etc.
• Use of Green Coatings: Green coatings should preferably be used to reduce the environmental impact during the coating process.

Evaluation Indicator Requirements

The evaluation indicator system for metal composite decorative materials consists of primary and secondary indicators. Primary indicators include resource attribute indicators, energy attribute indicators, environmental attribute indicators, and quality attribute indicators. Main testing items and reference standards include:

• NMHC Emission Concentration in Coating Process: Tested according to the provisions of GB 16297 "Integrated Emission Standard of Air Pollutants".
• Fire Performance: Tested according to the provisions of GB 8624 "Classification for Burning Behavior of Building Materials and Products".
• Soluble Heavy Metal Content in Surface Coating: Tested according to the provisions of GB 18584 "Limit of Harmful Substances of Wood Based Furniture and Finishing Materials for Interior Decoration".
• Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Content in Surface Coatings: Tested according to the provisions of Clause 10.4 in GB/T 23986—2009.
• Durability of Metal Composite Panels: For aluminum composite panels, tested according to the relevant provisions of GB/T 17748 and GB/T 22412; for steel composite panels, tested according to the relevant provisions of JG/T 516.
• Durability of Metal Sheets/Strips: For color-coated steel sheets, tested according to the relevant provisions of JG/T 516; for aluminum sheets, tested according to the relevant provisions of GB/T 23443.

Certification Process

The Green Building Material Product Grading Certification implements a model of initial inspection + product sampling inspection + post-certification supervision:

• Certification Application: Submit the application form (specifying the applied green building material grade), business license, product process flowchart, factory organization chart, key raw material filing list, valid product type test report within one year, management system related document directory, etc. The applying enterprise must pass the certification body's review.
• Document Technical Review: The certification body reviews the completeness, adaptability, and effectiveness of the application documents. Review conclusions are categorized as: compliant and ready for on-site inspection, basically compliant but requiring supplementation/improvement, or non-compliant and unable to proceed to on-site inspection.
• Initial Factory Inspection: Includes factory assurance capability check, product consistency check, and green evaluation requirement conformity verification. The on-site inspection focuses on the operation of the enterprise's energy management system, production energy consumption control measures, wastewater recycling system operation status, pollutant emission control measures, solid waste disposal situation, etc.
• Product Sampling Inspection: Sampling and inspection are completed by a laboratory with CMA qualifications determined by the certification body. Inspection items include NMHC emission concentration in the coating process, fire performance, soluble heavy metal content in surface coatings, durability, etc. Inspection reports issued by a CMA-qualified laboratory within the past 12 months that meet the requirements can be accepted.
• Certification Result Evaluation and Approval: After passing the document technical review, on-site inspection, and product sampling inspection, 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: Supervision is arranged after the enterprise obtains certification, with intervals not exceeding 1 year for each supervision. Supervision content includes factory assurance capability supervision inspection, product consistency supervision inspection, green evaluation requirement continuous conformity verification, and product supervision inspection.
• Recertification Audit: A recertification audit is conducted before the certificate expires to renew the certification qualification, typically for a five-year cycle.

Certification Value

• Enhances Product Market Competitiveness: The 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 utility projects, etc. The green building material procurement support policy jointly issued by the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, and Ministry of Industry and Information Technology explicitly requires government procurement projects to prioritize purchasing green building materials. The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development has established a green building material procurement and application database. Certified products will be prioritized for use in government-invested projects, green buildings, prefabricated buildings, and other engineering construction projects.
• Enjoy Policy Support and Financial Subsidies: Many provinces and cities provide financial rewards or fiscal support to enterprises that have passed the Green Building Material Product Certification. Certified enterprises can also enjoy tax incentives such as corporate income tax reductions. The policy supporting green building materials in government procurement has been implemented in 101 cities (municipal districts), including Chaoyang District in Beijing.
• Strengthens Bidding Competitiveness: The Green Building Material Certification Certificate can serve as a bonus point in engineering bidding and procurement, helping to enhance an enterprise's differentiated bidding capability and establish its technology and quality brand. Obtaining the green building material label is a necessary condition and a bidding bonus point for enterprises to participate in major projects, government-invested project bidding, and to enter the qualified supplier lists of large clients.
• Meets Green Building Development Needs: With the implementation of the "Assessment Standard for Green Building" (GB/T 50378-2019) and the advancement of green building creation actions, the required proportion of green building materials in new urban construction is continuously increasing. As an important component of building interior and exterior wall decoration, certified metal composite decorative materials find easier access to the green building market.
• Addresses Dual Carbon Strategy Requirements: Under the backdrop of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, energy and construction have become main forces in implementing the dual carbon strategy. The Green Building Material Product Certification requires enterprises to conduct carbon footprint accounting, helping them address carbon emission control requirements and plan for low-carbon development in advance.
• Promotes International Trade: The certification results can serve as a "green passport" for exports. Some standards have mutual recognition internationally, which helps reduce green trade barriers for exports.
• Establishes Corporate Social Responsibility Image: Obtaining certification demonstrates an enterprise's commitment and actions in resource conservation and environmental protection, enhances customer trust, improves brand reputation, and meets consumers' demand for upgrading to green building materials.

Applicable Product Scope

The Green Building Material Certification for Metal Composite Decorative Materials applies to various metal and metal composite material products used for indoor and outdoor architectural decoration, including but not limited to:

• Aluminum Composite Panels: Aluminum-Plastic Composite Panels for Curtain Wall of Building (GB/T 17748), Aluminum-Plastic Composite Panels for General Decoration (GB/T 22412), Aluminum Honeycomb Composite Panels (JC/T 2113), Aluminum Corrugated Core Composite Aluminum Panels (JC/T 2187), etc.
• Copper Composite Panels: Copper-Plastic Composite Panels (JC/T 2183), etc.
• Titanium-Zinc Composite Panels: Titanium-Zinc Alloy Faced Composite Panels for Building (JG/T 339), etc.
• Steel Composite Panels: Color-Coated Steel Sheets for Architectural Decoration (JG/T 516), etc.
• Aluminum Sheets/Strips: Aluminum Single Sheets for Architectural Decoration (GB/T 23443), Single-Coated Fluorocarbon Aluminum Panels (Strips) for Architectural Decoration (JC/T 2438), Porcelain Enameled Aluminum Panels for Architectural Decoration (JC/T 2439), etc.
• Metal and Metal Composite Ceiling Panels: Implemented according to the provisions of GB/T 23444.