On January 1, 2013, the General Office of the State Council issued Document No. 1, titled the "Green Building Action Plan," which called for the development of a green building materials certification system, the creation of a comprehensive catalog of eco-friendly construction products, and the promotion of standardized consumer behavior in the market. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology set a timeline for China National Building Material Inspection and Certification Group to finalize certification methods and standards by June, with the first batch of green product listings expected to be reviewed by September.
Che Chang, deputy secretary general of the China Building Materials Circulation Association (CBMCA), highlighted the current confusion surrounding green building materials in the market, emphasizing the prevalence of greenwashing. He pointed out that China’s green building materials framework is still underdeveloped, with significant gaps in standards. Currently, the industry relies on the "Limiting Standards of Toxic and Harmful Substances for Interior Decoration Materials," which he described as an entry-level benchmark, insufficient to meet true environmental protection requirements.
"The country has only recently started paying attention to green building materials, and public awareness and consumer habits have not caught up," Che said. He added that the new standard aims to clearly define basic requirements, helping consumers make informed choices.
Zou Mingxiao, a researcher at CIC Consulting, emphasized the long-term benefits of establishing a green building materials standard system. From a sustainability perspective, it would enhance resource efficiency, ensure energy security, reduce pollution, lower environmental costs for businesses and governments, and improve overall economic performance. Additionally, it would help eliminate substandard producers, boosting the competitiveness of high-quality enterprises.
The development of this system requires collaboration across industries, including the furniture sector. Wang Yuge, deputy director of the CBMCA Standardization Department, explained that the association had submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Commerce last year, leading to the development of "Technical Requirements for Environmentally Friendly Building Materials and Decorative Materials." This standard is set to be unveiled at the China (Nanjing) International Building Decoration Materials Exhibition in November.
Qin Zhanxue, executive vice president of the association, expressed hope that the standard will gain widespread recognition through effective promotion. However, he acknowledged that publicizing the new rules, especially in the distribution channel, will take time. Enforcement remains challenging, particularly due to unclear responsibilities among different agencies and potential local government leniency.
Wang Yuge suggested creating a unified green logo to strengthen market oversight and recommended implementing tax incentives to encourage consumer participation in monitoring green products. She also noted that while mandatory standards are ideal, they remain difficult to enforce in the short term.
Che Chang proposed that green building materials standards should be voluntary rather than mandatory, drawing a comparison to organic and conventional products in foreign supermarkets. While the concept of market-driven selection is appealing, he admitted that cost and market demand often conflict with environmental goals. He stressed the need for a certification system to guide consumers and promote transparency, allowing the market to gradually shift toward greener options over time.
Screen Gasket,Filter Screen Gasket,Tri Clamp Screen Gasket,Filter Mesh Tri Clamp Screen Gasket
Ningbo Wenhan Fluid Equipments Co., Ltd. , https://www.wenhanvalves.com