Launched as a product verification scheme in 2010, Best Practice PVC sets stringent criteria for manufacturing PVC products and addressing their end of first use. Best Practice PVC products, independently verified as fully compliant wit the scheme, are recognised in Green Star building rating tools, as well as other public and private procurement policies in Australia.

In this first major review of the scheme and its criteria, proposed by the Green Building Council of Australia to be conducted by the Vinyl Council, we are seeking feedback on aspects of PVC manufacturing and supply chain performance globally that may lead to updating or including new criteria to represent current 'best practice'.

We have released a Consultation Paper on potential scheme criteria and invite your input on the future direction of the scheme. Options outlined in this paper were drafted based on the proposed, revised approach of the Green Star building rating tools to building products (refer to Green Star Future Focus), the existing PVC Stewardship Program, and current trends in PVC manufacture.

In this paper we pose questions on:
•    Potential gaps in current Best Practice PVC criteria;
•    Alignment with the PVC Stewardship Program and other schemes’ criteria;
•    Possible approaches to be introduced;
•    Other issues that a future scheme might include.

We want to hear from you!

We ask that you consider the current and proposed scheme criteria and strategic options discussed and provide input by 7th July 2020. You can provide feedback by:

1. Using this form (MS Word) and emailing it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
2. Through SurveyMonkey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BEPupdate. The survey will take only 10 minutes to complete.

Your feedback will be kept confidential, and any published results will be aggregated and anonymised. Your contact information will be taken and retained solely for the purpose of reviewing and improving the Best Practice PVC scheme.

Find more information on Best Practice PVC and PVC product recognition in Green Star here.

Download the Consultation Paper and feedback form.

Best Practice PVC Product Register

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The Vinyl Council of Australia has added a new category – PVC Duct Systems – to its Best Environmental Practice PVC Product Register in response to the growth in the use of low-profile PVC ductwork systems.

The EcoDuct 300 Series is the first product in this category to carry the Vinyl Council’s Best Environmental Practice (BEP) PVC trade mark. This mark is awarded to independently assessed, Best Practice PVC-compliant products that meet stringent life cycle criteria, developed by the Green Building Council of Australia.

Incorporating up to 50% recycled PVC, the newly accredited EcoDuct is a low impact, fire retardant duct system that is specifically designed for high-rise apartment applications where limited ceiling spaces are common. It is also 100% recyclable at end of life.

The Vinyl Council’s BEP PVC Register covers a wide range of BEP-accredited construction products. PVC Duct Systems joins existing categories covering flooring, resilient wall coverings, pipes & fittings, conduit/fittings, fencing, cable and permanent formwork.

Manufacturers of products holding BEP PVC accreditation have undertaken the vigorous, third-party assessment process required to verify their minimal environmental impact. The Vinyl Council then vets the certificates and records the products, suppliers and certificate validity on an online register.

The Council’s Chief Executive, Sophi MacMillan says: “PVC is a versatile material that offers a cost-effective, durable and low maintenance solution for a wide range of construction products.

“Best Environmental Practice PVC accreditation is an established quality mark for PVC, or vinyl products that helps specifiers to choose sustainable products manufactured to the most stringent environmental criteria.

“In addition to being recognised in Green Star’s Responsible Building Materials credit, Best Practice PVC is a valuable aid for specifiers and anyone procuring PVC products; and the online register makes it simple to identify those items made to the highest sustainable standards.”

You can find out more at /in-greenstar/best-practice-pvc-product-register

The Vinyl Council has updated its industry strategy aimed at facilitating growth in sustainable PVC recycling practices in Australia. 

Developed through consultations with members, industry and government, and at the PVC ReSource Summit held in late 2015, the strategy will direct future actions of the Vinyl Council and the sector.

PVC - the third most commonly used polymer in Australia - is recyclable, however, results show that only low volumes of PVC wastes are recovered, largely because most PVC is used in durable products, and less in packaging (which is where most waste and recycling policies and resources are focussed).

The VCA estimates around 66,900 tonnes ofrecyclablePVC product goes to landfill each year. This is wasted material that could be reprocessed into new quality product by Australian workers and firms, improving Australian productivity, economy and the environment.

The VCA and its members are committed to advancing PVC recycling and reprocessing. The updated industry strategy aims to address barriers, to share knowledge, data and expertise and to encourage innovation of reprocessing, product design and recycling capability.

Key elements in the 2016 Strategy

There are six parts to the strategy and three especially form the foundation: 

1. Data and information. More data and knowledge are required for effective recycling of PVC.
2. Collaboration between willing partners to drive change. Systemic change requires partners working together, and strong PVC reprocessing capability is required in all key States.
3. End markets, without which there is no viable recycling practice. This requires building connections between demand and supply, development of appropriate recyclate-absorbing products and encouraging substitution of virgin or other less sustainable materials.

The VCA has established successful vinyl recylcing programs including the PVC Recycling in Hospitals program which is now in place at over 60 Australian hospitlas. The VCA thanks all those who contribute to the success of PVC recycling in Australia and looks forward to working with many to achieve the actions for improved results for Australia's recycling rate, productivity and manufacturing future. 

For more detail on the Strategy contact the Vinyl Council's This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Best Practice PVC Product Register

View Armstrong's Accredited BEP PVC Products View Armstrong Flooring's Accredited BEP PVC Products #1 Contact: Armstrong Flooring  29 – 39 Mills Road, Braeside Victoria 3195.  Tel: 03 9586 5500 Current BEP PVC Cert #1 verification expires 5th Aug 2025 Current BEP PVC Cert #2 verification currently being audited but expires 25 November 2024	View The Andrews Group Accredited BEP PVC Products Contact: The Andrews Group Pty Ltd 62 River Street, South Yarra VIC 3141 Tel: 03 9827 1311 Current BEP PVC verification Expires 10th June 2026.	View Dunlop's Accredited BEP PVC Products Contact: Dunlop Flooring 183-187 Newton Road Wetherill Park, NSW 2164 Tel: 1800 622 293 Current BEP PVC verification expires 26 January 2025
View Forbo's Accredited BEP PVC Products list 1 View Forbo's Accredited BEP PVC Products list 2 View Forbo's Accredited BEP PVC Products list 3 Contact: Forbo Flooring Systems Australia 23 Ormsby Place Wetherill Park NSW 2164 Tel: 02 9828 0200 Current BEP PVC verifications expire 20 May 2023, 15 September 2023 and 14 November 2024	View Gerflor's Accredited BEP PVC Products Gerflor Australasia's Accredited BEP PVC Mipolam # 1 Products View Gerlor Australasia's BEP PVC Mipolam #2 Products Contact: Gerflor Australasia 17 Cato Street Hawthorn East Vic 3123 Tel: 1800 060 785 Current BEP PVC verification expires 14 October 2025	View Interface's Accredited BEP PVC Products 1st Certificate  View Interface's Accredited BEP PVC Products 2nd Certificate Contact: Interface Aust P/L 34 Airds Road, Minto NSW 2566 Tel: 1800 804 361 Current BEP PVC verification (1) expires 13 Aug 2025 Current BEP PVC verification (2) expires 31 Oct 2025
View Tretford's Accredited BEP PVC Products Contact: Gibbon Group 14 Moonbi Street Brendale QLD 4500 Tel: 1300 245 404 Current BEP PVC verification currently being audited	View Karndean's Accredited BEP PVC Products Contact: Karndean Designflooring 835 Stud Road, Knoxfield VIC 3180 Tel: 03 9755 4909 Current BEP PVC verification expires 20th September 2025	View Tarkett's Accredited BEP PVC Products Contact: Tarkett Australia P/L Suite 1, Level 3/3 Columbia Ct, Baulkham Hills NSW 2153 Tel: 1300  851 484 Current BEP PVC verification expires 1st Aug 2025

Best Environmental Practice PVC Product Register

The Vinyl Council's Best Environmental Practice (BEP) PVC trade mark is awarded to BEP compliant PVC products upon application by any manufacturers or suppliers in accordance with our License Terms and Conditions, and applicants must provide evidence of the independent assessment of compliance with the Best Environmental Practice PVC v2.0 Guidelines (PDF).

Upon receipt of evidence of compliance the products are recorded in the below Register by product category and the BEP PVC licence mark is issued to the applicant, under licensing agreement with the VCA. The BEP PVC mark signifies the products have been found by independent auditors to be fully compliant with the Best Environmental Practice PVC Guidelines.

Source BEP-accredited PVC products from our register below: