I-CAT dust suppression products receive global Ecospecifier accreditation
 | I-CAT dust suppression products receive global Ecospecifier accreditation | 16.44 KB | Download |
 Preview | GreenGrip is a natural polymer-based, durable gravel road sealant | 2.54 MB | Download |
 Preview | I-CAT products that received this high-profile certification include RDC 20, GreenGrip and GreenBit | 543.52 KB | Download |
 Preview | RDC 20 is produced from natural substances | 3.5 MB | Download |
Ecospecifier is an online platform that promotes the protection and restoration of natural systems by building awareness of practical solutions that support healthy environments and ecological regeneration in the built environments and construction sector.
The Ecospecifier Verified Product Programme ensures products have been independently assessed according to the Verified Product Programme Standard – whereby all manufacturers’ eco claims are true in accordance with ISO 14021, consumer law and that products are healthy and non-toxic.
I-CAT products that received this high-profile certification include;
RDC 20: A water-soluble anionic polyelectrolyte polymer comprised of an exclusive formulation of blended emulsified co-polymers and ionic modifiers. RDC 20 is produced from natural substances and features no petrochemical or hydrocarbon ingredients, making it 100 percent eco-friendly.
GreenGrip: A natural polymer-based, durable gravel road sealant that is an environmentally-safe alternative to chemically-based products for semi-permanent gravel roads on mines and residential areas. It produces a durable, smooth and dust-free surface with less frequent maintenance intervals.
GreenBit: A natural binding agent combined with an emulsified bituminous product to create a durable gravel road sealant. It is an environmentally-safe alternative to pure chemically-based products for permanent gravel roads on mines and residential areas.
I-CAT environmental manager Leon Jansen van Rensburg notes that this reputable third party product verification is of great importance to the company. “The independent assessment reaffirms the results obtained during our own extensive research and development trials.”
Ecospecifier spokeswoman Lizette Swanevelder states that an increasing number of manufacturers have become adept at using unverified or pseudo-eco claims, logos or labels to 'greenwash' products, to the point where claims are no longer trusted by the target market.
“Reputable manufacturers have now realised that, in order to objectively verify their health and environmental claims, they need to attain reputable third party certification such as Ecospecifier, which builds meaningful confidence in brands and products,” she explains.
Ecospecifier launched in South Africa in 2009, and encompasses the following services:
Ecospecifier online: An online database and knowledgebase of independently verified and certified products from the whole spectrum of ecolabel and verifiers. It is for consumers and professionals alike, and serves as a one-stop-shop for ‘greenwash’ free product information.
Ecospecifier Global GreenTag Certification: A world-first, third party, green building product rating system underpinned by rigorous scientific and life cycle assessment (LCA), health, ecotoxicity, greenhouse gas emission and biodiversity assessment processes. Swanevelder indicates that GreenTag certification can be obtained via two schemes, namely; GreenRate and LCARate.
“GreenRate is an ISO-compliant Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) recognised third party certification programme. The Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) has stated its intent to incorporate GBCA-recognised certification programmes into its new Interiors Pilot tool,” she says.
This tool allows tenants to have their own environmental design initiatives fairly and independently benchmarked. The tool rewards high-performance tenant spaces that are; healthy, productive places to work; less costly to operate and maintain; and have reduced environmental footprint.
Swanevelder points out that LCARate is designed to enable manufacturers of market-leading products to easily promote their sustainability using this unique and trusted green product certification and rating programme.
“LCARate uses the scientifically robust life cycle analysis (LCA) practice to comparatively rank the performance of eco and health-preferred products compared to business-as-usual products, allowing all certified products in a sector to be compared using EcoPOINT scores,” she adds.
Swanevelder indicates that Ecospecifier accreditation is becoming increasingly sought-after in the local market. “Professionals in the building industry who want to source environmentally-responsible materials – based on trusted, independent and unbiased third party assessments – stand to benefit tremendously from our certification,” she concludes.
Ends
Notes to the editor
To download hi-res images for this release, please visit http://media.ngage.co.za and click the I-CAT link to view the company’s press office.
About I-CAT
I-CAT is a leading environmental solutions company with a primary focus on supplying products and services that assist industrial clients in various aspects of environmental compliance. The company is well positioned to assist all its clients’ needs in environmental management regarding; dust suppression solutions, water solutions, environmental management services, carbon solutions, agro-forestry products and fire solutions.
Connect with I-CAT on Social Media to receive the company’s latest news
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ICATEnvironmentalSolutions
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ICATEnviro
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/i-cat-environmental-solutions?trk=biz-companies-cym
I-CAT Contact
Leon Jansen van Rensburg
Environmental Manager
Phone: 086 112 4228
Email: info [at] i-cat [dot] co [dot] za
Web: www.i-cat.co.za
Media Contact
Nomvelo Buthelezi
NGAGE Public Relations
Phone: (011) 867 7763
Fax: (086) 512 3352
Cell: 083 4088 911
Email: nomvelo [at] ngage [dot] co [dot] za
Web: www.ngage.co.za
Browse the NGAGE Media Zone for more client press releases and photographs at http://media.ngage.co.za