During the most recent meeting of general assembly and of the board of directors of the UBAtc the publication of a new information sheet was approved.
This information sheet was developed in the advisory committee and published by the Belgian Union for Technical Approvals in Construction (BUtgb) with the main aim of informing users, applicants and holders of Technical Approvals (ATG) about the optional section “Aspects of the circular economy” which can be included in approval texts at the request of applicants.
Sustainability and the circular economy are playing an increasingly prominent role in the construction sector. In line with the objectives of the European Green Deal, which aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, various industries need to adapt their conventional consumption practices to a more sustainable and responsible approach to raw material use. This paradigm shift also concerns the construction sector.
While limiting technical risks on construction sites remains the core task of the association, the UBAtc is also committed to paying progressively increasing attention to the facets of the circular economy – in dialogue with the sector and its members.
Through an objective and scientific approach, the UBAtc aims to provide users of technical approvals with accurate information on aspects of the circular economy at the product level within the established spheres of influence of the UBAtc.
Consequently, the UBAtc has decided to integrate product information on circular economy into the technical approval texts. This initiative comprises the publication of the results of an assessment and independent certification of circular product characteristics by expert third parties in the construction industry. In this way, the UBAtc aims to strengthen confidence in circular product features within the construction sector and at the same time, through the established value of ATG, create a level playing field within the context of the circular economy and prevent so-called “greenwashing”.
The integration of circular product features into the technical approval marks an initial step within the UBAtc operational framework, aimed at establishing the circular economy as a leading focus area.
Currently, only the origin and traceability of the recycled and renewable raw materials of the product are included in the approval investigation. The BUtgb refrains from making statements regarding the production energy balance, transport distances and the associated emissions. The aim is not to provide a complete interpretation of the total environmental impact of a product, but rather to make a reliable contribution to the understanding of certain aspects of a circular economy in construction. With this initiative we try to provide a piece of the puzzle to a market that demands objectivity and independence in this area.
You can consult the information sheet here: Information Sheet 2024/1
