Certification programmes for building products

Environmental and quality marks for construction and residential products provide orientation to all parties involved in construction on matters of health, environmental compatibility and technical reliability. Certification confirms compliance with established sustainability criteria in accordance with the respective testing standard. The IBO independently tests and evaluates construction products and works at all levels to raise awareness of sustainable and healthy housing alternatives on the market.

Environmental Labels – Type I Environmental Labels

Environmental labels—Type I environmental labels in accordance with EN ISO 14024—are labels for products with defined environmental performance. They consist of a symbol or logo that signifies agreed-upon requirements for the product. The requirements are generally selected and later adjusted so that only a certain percentage of the products available on the market can receive this label. ISO 14024 establishes globally uniform core requirements for eco-labels. Type I labels convey a simple, concise message and are therefore aimed specifically at end consumers. The requirements consist of characteristic threshold values or qualitative criteria; compliance with these makes the products significantly more environmentally friendly than those that do not meet the thresholds and requirements.

Environmental labeling programs that include certification guidelines for building materials assessed by the IBO include, among others, the natureplus eco-label, the IBO mark of conformity, and the Austrian Ecolabel.