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Environmental Requirements |
Core Environmental Performance Characteristics |
Fitness for Purpose
Certified products should be good performers in their intended application. Certain standards of quality and durability are implicit in the Label. |
The Armstrong Ceilings product range subject of this EPD meet the requirements of this criterion, based on the information provided and Armstrong’s Quality Assurance management program with ongoing internal fitness for purpose testing. The Armstrong Ceiling products are backed by a 30 year manufacturer’s performance warranty in conjunction with its suspension system. |
3.2.1.1 Controversial Sources
Wood and other natural materials from sources that are not certified under a recognised certification scheme (e.g. FSC or AFS) as being sustainably managed shall not originate from illegal harvesting, genetically modified organisms, or uncertified high conservation value communities |
Armstrong use recycled paper, typically newspaper and other post-consumer fibre in their manufacturing processes for these product lines. GECA has reviewed the paper delivery dockets from each of the manufacturing plants, and has found that there is sufficient evidence of recycled paper content in the manufacturing process.
Armstrong use corn starch, a naturally renewable material, as the binder in their ceiling panels. |
3.2.1.2 Treatment
Wood and natural materials used in furniture and fittings products may not be treated with fungicides and insecticides that are classified due to their hazardous nature by the World Health Organisation as type 1a and Type 1b for storage and/or transportation. Refer to:
http://www.who.int/whopes/recommendations/en/ |
The Armstrong Ceiling product range subject of this report is exempt from meeting the requirements of this criterion since it is not applicable. |
3.2.1.3 Air Emissions
Products made from wood and other natural products that contain formaldehyde based additives, shall be subject to air emission limits for formaldehyde as measured using the Air Chamber, Desiccator or Perforator test methods. |
This criterion of the Standard will be dealt with in the below criterion 3.3.2 Formaldehyde Emissions. |
3.2.1.4
Salvaged & Reclaimed Timbers
Salvaged or reclaimed timbers may be used in certified furniture and fittings. Salvaged and reclaimed timbers include timbers legally sourced as pre-cut waste timber or deadwood from cityscape, urban and rural gardens, demolition sites, and waste wood from certified tree loppers / doctors. |
This criterion of the Standard is not applicable to the Armstrong Ceiling product range as they are not sourced from salvaged & reclaimed timber. |
3.2.2.1 Resin Identification Codes
To be licensed to carry the Label, appropriate plastics resin identification code promulgated by the Plastics and Chemical Industry Association must be marked on each individual recycled plastic product or components weighing greater than 100g. |
This criterion of the Standard is not applicable to the Armstrong Ceiling product range as the product does not contain plastics. |
3.2.3 Padding material
3.2.3.1 Synthetic latex and natural latex requirements
Latex containing 1.3 butadiene shall be at levels ≤ 1mg/kg latex.
The total amount of discharges ( measured as COD or TOC) from the production of foam rubber shall be treated and decreased by 90% in on-site or external sewage treatment works prior to emissions into waterways. |
This criterion of the Standard is not applicable to Armstrong Ceiling product range as the product does not contain padding materials. |
3.2.3.2 Polyurethane padding requirements
Additives
CFC, HCFC, HFC or methylene chloride shall not be used as blowing agents.
Analine based amines, and pigments and catalysis based on mercury, lead, cadmium, and chromium must not be added to the padding material. Tin organic compounds shall not be used in the manufacture of the padding material. |
This criterion of the Standard is not applicable to Armstrong Ceiling product range as the product does not contain padding materials. |
3.2.4 Fabrics
Fabrics must be certified by the Good Environmental Choice Label, the EU Flower label or the Nordic Swan label or satisfy the requirements of the GECA Standard No – 19: Textiles. |
This criterion of the Standard is not applicable to Armstrong Ceiling product range as the product does not contain Fabrics. |
3.2.5 Glass
Lead glazing, crystal glass, mirror glass, wire reinforced glass and/or laminated glass must not be used in the furniture or fittings. |
This criterion of the Standard is not applicable to Armstrong Ceiling product range as the product does not contain Glass. |
3.2.6 Adhesives
Adhesives must be certified by the Good Environmental Choice Label, the EU Flower label the New Zealand Environmental Choice Label or the Nordic Swan label or satisfy the requirements of the GECA Standard No – 1: Adhesives. |
This criterion of the Standard is not applicable to Armstrong Ceiling product range as the product does not contain Adhesives. |
3.3.1
Overall Loads
In order to promote the reduction of pollutant hazards in the disposal, landfill and/or incineration of end of life furniture, the following substances shall not be added to eco-labeled furniture during the production process:
Arsenic
Cadmium
Chromium
Copper
Lead
Mercury
Fluorine
Chlorine
Pentachlorophenol (PCP)
Tar oils (benzo(a)pyrene) |
For verification, GECA has reviewed the following documents as evidence of compliance with this criterion:
• Ingredients list for all the products under assessment.
• MSDS for all production ingredients.
• Technical specifications related to the heavy metal purity of the slag.
The range of ingredients have been assessed and found compliant to the above chemical restrictions. None of the above prohibited substances are used in the products under assessment. |
3.3.2 Formaldehyde Emissions
Furniture or fittings that contain formaldehyde based additives or products containing formaldehyde additives, shall be subject to air emission limits for formaldehyde. Furniture or fittings produced from only raw timber or natural materials are exempt from this criterion. |
GECA has reviewed a number of tests in relation to formaldehyde emissions for the nominated product range. This criteria is applicable and a requirement of 1 mg./lt is generally applied to panel products. The results indicate levels at around 0.3mg/lt reflecting background cellulose levels and small levels of contaminant. These levels satisfy the Super EO levels for panel products and comply with the requirement s of this criterion. |
3.3.3 Chemical Additives
Furniture or fittings shall not contain carcinogenic substances in categories 1, 2A as classed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer – http://www.iarc.fr. at levels which expose the user to emissions greater than 1/20th of the NICNAS recommended limits. Where specific chemicals are identified in other criteria of this standard those emissions levels are relevant for compliance to this standard and this criterion is not relevant for those particular chemicals. |
Silica is used in many of the products under assessment. Despite being classified as a Group 1 Carcinogenic substance (respiratible Silica), Silica is exempt from this criterion because it is bound within the product physical matrix and cannot affect the user.
Formaldehyde is used in some of the products, however emission factors have been addressed for formaldehyde in criterion 3.3.2 and therefore formaldehyde is exempt from the requirements of this criterion.
All other ingredients have been assessed for carcinogens and have been found to be compliant in relation to the overall emission performance requirements of this criterion. |
3.3.4 Prohibited Substances
Halogenated organic binding agents, halogenated organic flame retardants, analine based amines, phthalates, aziridine or polyaziridines as well as pigments and additives that contain lead, tin, cadmium VI, mercury or their compounds shall not:
a) Be added to individual furniture or fittings parts,
b) Be used in the manufacture of timber furniture and fittings, or
c) Be used in the manufacture of preparatory agents or agents for the degreasing or surface treatments of furniture and fittings or their components. |
GECA inspected all MSDS of ingredients for all production facilities related to this product range. These ingredients are in compliance with this criterion. The Kodaflex 135 containing prohibited Dibutyl-phthalates has been removed from the production process following a GECA enquiry into its use at the Macon Plant. All manufacturing plants are now compliant with the requirements of this criterion of the Standard. |
3.4.1 Separability
The eco-labeled product shall be easily disassembled making possible the recovery and recycling of materials used. |
There does not appear to be any technical barrier to the disassembly of the products under this certification from the ceiling matrix which is often made from steel, aluminum or plastic. The Armstrong products subject to this verification do not limit the disassembly and reuse of these supporting structures. The units are designed for replacement. |
3.4.2 Product Custodianship
The applicant shall accept their product without additional cost (not including transportation or on site collection costs) for further recycling, or have arrangements with an Australian plastics or steel recycler to accept the product, or have an established product stewardship program. |
Armstrong has an established commitment for a product take-back policy in Australia in compliance with the requirements of this criterion. This offer shall be made available to the market at the commencement of the GECA licensing and promotion to the Australian market via normal commercial channels. |
3.4.3 Coatings/
Treatments
Furniture and fittings products (or components) must not be impregnated, labelled, coated or otherwise treated in a manner which would prevent post consumer recycling. Exemption may be made for products with a long product life where a coating or treatment would further extend the useful life of the product. |
No coating or treatment is applied that will prevent recycling. |
3.5 Replacement Parts
For those parts of a product which are subject to wear, e.g. hinges, locks and table leaves functionally compatible replacements shall be guaranteed for a period of at least five years. |
This criterion of the standard is not applicable to the Armstrong Ceilings product range, as the products do not contain parts that are subject to wear. |
3.6 Recycled furniture
Recycled furniture can be licensed in conformation to this standard provided that the furniture has not been refinished or coated with any materials except for the purpose of cleaning. |
This criterion of the standard is not applicable to the Armstrong Ceilings product range, as the products do not contain any recycled furniture. |
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