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:
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.
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. Applicants must provide evidence of the independent assessment of compliance with the PVC Best Practice Guidelines in accordance with the Verification Assessment Guidance document for Best Environmental Practice PVC.
Upon receipt of evidence of compliance, the products are recorded in the following Register by product category and the BEP PVC licence mark issued to the applicant. The BEP PVC mark signifies the products have been found by independent auditors to be fully compliant with the PVC Best Environmental Practice Guidelines.
Our BEP scheme is recognised by the Green Building Council of Australia in the Responsible Products Framework in its Green Star - Buildings tool. The Framework outlines criteria for scoring how 'responsible' a product is and recognises certain initiatives that a product or manufacturer can comply with – like BEP – for the purposes of contributing to a building's Green Star certification. Regardless of other accreditations they may have, all PVC products will need to demonstrate BEP accreditation for building projects to earn points towards their Green Star certification.
In order for PVC products to be recognised under the Framework, the following pathways will apply:
Source BEP-accredited PVC products on our register below: