The Carpet Institute of Australia (CIAL), proudly introduces the Environmental Certification Scheme (ECS) Carbon Neutral Certification. This certification recognises building fit-out products, including carpets, resilient flooring, and more, that have achieved net-zero embodied carbon across their manufacturing scope, from raw material production to factory gate. This scope does not include transport, installation, or end-of-life impacts.
The ECS Carbon Neutral Certification confirms the embodied carbon neutrality of products within this manufacturing boundary. Where carbon neutrality is achieved through offsets, only offsets from recognised registries are accepted, including Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) and Gold Standard certified credits. The CIAL, acting as the secretary to this standard, coordinates verification through the Australian Carpet Classification Scheme (ACCS) panel.
The certification is built on six critical performance criteria, each rigorously assessed to guarantee excellence. Below is a summary of the RPV points awarded:
| Criterion | Responsible Product Value |
|---|---|
| Fit for Purpose | – |
| Ingredient disclosure | 1 |
| Carbon emissions disclosure | 2 |
| Energy use reduction | 1 |
| Carbon emissions improvement | 1 |
| Carbon Neutral Declaration | 3 |
| Total RPV points | 8 |
| Criterion | Responsible Product Value |
|---|---|
| Fit for Purpose | – |
| Ingredient disclosure | 1 |
| Carbon emissions disclosure | 2 |
| Energy use reduction | 1 |
| Carbon emissions improvement | 1 |
| Carbon Neutral Declaration | 3 |
| Total RPV points | 8 |
This certification applies to a wide range of building fit-out products, ensuring comprehensive environmental impact reduction across the industry. Including:
Each product must meet stringent industry standards (e.g., ISO, AS/NZS) and undergo independent verification. For example, textile floor coverings require ACCS grading, while resilient flooring adheres to EN-ISO 10581/2 and ASTM standards. Acoustic panels must achieve a minimum Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) of 0.2, with 12mm wall panels offering a 45% noise reduction. All products must have all ingredients disclosed.
