Sustainability

This issue is getting so much more important that I think it deserves a section all to itself.

Part L: Building Regulations

Building Regulations: Part L 'Conservation of Fuel and Power is being revised for launch in 2010. The lighting energy requirements have been tightened up and there are some fundamental changes from the 2006 version.

You'll also need the Compliance Guides for Domestic and Non-domestic buildings because, for some jolly reason, the Part L documents themselves don't give you the numbers!

Building Research Establishment - BRE

BRE is internationally recognised as the developer of sustainability standards codes and methodologies (such as BREEAM) for buildings, homes and communities.

Green Register

The Green Register is a not-for-profit organisation set up in 2000 to promote sustainable building practices across all disciplines of the construction industry through unique training and events.

GreenSpec

GreenSpec is the go-to website for information about accredited architectural components manufactured to sustainable standards.

The SIN List

ChemSec (The International Chemical Secretariat) is a non-profit organisation working for a toxic-free environment. 'Our focus is to to highlight the risksof hazardous substances and influence and speed up legislative prcoesses''

REACH

REACH is a European Union regulation concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of CHemicals. It came into force on 1st June 2007 and replaced a number of European Directives and Regulations with a single system.

REACH has several aims, including 'To provide a high level of protection of human health and the environment from the use of chemicals.'

WEEE

The The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE Directive) aims to reduce the amount of electrical and electronic equipment being produced and to encourage everyone to reuse, recycle and recover it.

The WEEE Directive also aims to improve the environmental performance of businesses that manufacture, supply, use, recycle and recover electrical and electronic equipment.

Code for Sustainable Homes

The Code for Sustainable Homes is the national standard for the sustainable design and construction of new homes. The Code aims to reduce our carbon emissions and create homes that are more sustainable.

(Mind you, with this crass government in place, who knows what the Code might end up looking like in months to come!)

Passivhaus

The term 'PassivHaus' refers to a specific construction standard for buildings which have excellent comfort conditions in both winter and summer.  These principles can be applied not only to the residential sector but also to commercial, industrial and public buildings.

ISO 14001

ISO 14001 is an internationally accepted standard that sets out how you can go about putting in place an effective Environmental Management System (EMS). The standard is designed to address the delicate balance between maintaining profitability and reducing environmental impact; with the commitment of your entire organization, it can enable you to achieve both objectives