BS 8902:2009 Responsible sourcing sector certification schemes for construction products. Specification
As the importance of green procurement strategies in the building and construction sectors grows, government is requiring suppliers and contractors to improve their sustainability performance. Responsible sourcing schemes are a major part of this activity. Responsible sourcing is the management of sustainable development in the provision or procurement of a product.
BS 8902 provides a framework for the development of sector certification schemes for responsible sourcing of construction products. It gives requirements for the management, development, content and operation of sector certification schemes for responsible sourcing and supply of construction products. It does so in alignment with the guidance given in BS 8900:2006 Guidance for managing sustainable development.
The main differences from BS 8900 are that BS 8902 includes specific requirements for audit and review, which are not to be found in BS 8900. BS 8902 embraces the principles in BS 8900 but is specific to the supply of construction products within a responsible sourcing scheme. However, whereas BS 8900 has the broadest application to organizations (and individuals) and is independent of the nature of their activities, this standard focuses more specifically on bodies that certify construction products.
The relationship between BS 8902, any sector certification schemes developed in conformity with it and the organizations likely to be involved is included in the standard. Note that, although accreditation of certification schemes is desirable, accreditation is not and cannot be a requirement of this standard.
Who should use BS 8902?
- Construction product producers
- Government bodies
- Certification bodies
- Environmental consultants
- Contractors
- Developers.
Contents of BS 8902:
- Foreword
- Introduction
- Scope
- Normative references
- Terms and definitions
- Sector certification scheme – Requirements
- Conformity declarations
- Annexes
- Annex A (normative) Review and follow up – Creation and use of a maturity matrix
- Bibliography
- List of figures
- Figure 1 – Overview of the relationships between BS 8902, sector certification schemes and organizational bodies
- List of tables
- Table 1 – Relevant sustainability issue identification and reporting
- Table A.1 – Sustainable development maturity matrix for continual improvement of organizations seeking certification of their products
