Building and architectural suppliers interested in enhancing their environmental position in the industry will be able to gain access to technical information relating to the trade of ‘green’ products when they join the Australian Green Purchasing Network (AGPN).
Launched on Tuesday by the Australian Environmental Labelling Association (AELA), the network, which is free to join, aims to attract members from government, business and consumers.
According to AELA president Petar Johnson, the launch of the network aims to centralise the knowledge and data regarding the procurement of green products.
“For a long time, clients, procurement bodies, local government and large building companies have been wanting to buy ‘green’ products and services, but the problem has been that the technical know-how has been very diverse and spread throughout the country,” he says.
“The Australian Green Purchasing Network aims to address this problem by bringing together the major procurers and by consolidating the available knowledge in the market.”
Johnson says that while the network is open to all, there is obvious relevance to the architectural, building and construction industry.
“For builders, the demand for buildings using green products and practices has increased, and the depth of specifications have become more comprehensive environmentally.”
Indeed, among the AELA’s list of certified holders of the internationally-recognised ‘Good Environmental Choice Label’ are four companies from the architectural and building sector. These are Forbo Floorings , Granitgard , Independent Cement and Lime and Rubbertough Industries.
And that list is set to grow. After launching on Tuesday, 39 members have already signed up with the AGPN, while Johnson says he expects that figure to reach 100 by the end of the week. He adds that the group is aiming to have at least 1000 members at the end of six months.
“We expect to see members joining with a view to greening up the supply chain and greening up their product lines,” he says.
“Market competitiveness will kick over in a very big way with companies trying to position themselves environmentally, as we’ve seen happen overseas. We are yet to feel it here, but this is a way of anticipating the increased competition in this area.”
For more information, and to read The 2004 State of Green Procurement Report, a report by AELA in association with Cleanup Australia, visit www.greenprocurement.org.au/