The push for sustainable construction has led to the development of new ways to assess and reward responsible material choices. Responsible Product Value (RPV) points are part of the Green Building Council of Australia’s (GBCA) Responsible Products program and are an important metric used in sustainable building certifications. RPVs encourage the selection of environmentally and ethically sound materials.
What is the Responsible Products Program?
Firstly, let’s start with the Responsible Products Program and its purpose. The program was introduced as part of GBCA’s Green Star Future Focus initiative in 2019 to address the environmental impact of building materials.
With buildings and fit-out projects accounting for around 50% of global resource use and 10% of greenhouse gas emissions, the aim of the Responsible Products program is to encourage the use of low-impact, transparent, and ethically sourced products that contribute to a healthier, more sustainable, and circular built environment. These guidelines are also made up of four focus areas/categories that help define products as: Responsible, Healthy, Positive and Circular. For each of these focus areas there are credits awarded for driving outcomes for responsible products.
Rather than certifying products directly, the Responsible Products Program recognises third-party product standards and requires manufacturers to obtain certification through the Responsible Products Score Checker.
How does GBCA define a Responsible Product?
The Responsible Products Guidelines outline the criteria used by the GBCA to assess and recognise product certification initiatives. The GBCA evaluates these initiatives against technical criteria and governance requirements, assigning a Responsible Product Value (RPV) based on their level of alignment.
It is important to note that the GBCA does not directly certify products or manufacturers. However, there are two key minimum requirements for inclusion:
- Timber certifications must meet Transparent Chain of Custody standards.
- Products used indoors that emit Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) must comply with Occupant Health and Safety requirements.
How does the GBCA assess products as part of the program?
The Responsible Products Program evaluates products through a structured process to determine their Responsible Product Value (RPV).
- Eligibility – Product Certification Initiatives, Green Star project teams, or manufacturers request recognition. GBCA provides governance and technical criteria for review.
- Assessment – GBCA evaluates submissions against the Responsible Products Guidelines to determine a Responsible Product Value (RPV).
- Governance Review – The Responsible Products Advisory Group verifies the process and endorses the final RPV.
- Recognition – Approved initiatives receive a Letter of Recognition, and the RPV is published on the Initiative Score Checker for marketing use.
This structured process ensures transparency, consistency, and credibility in recognising products that align with sustainability and ethical sourcing goals.
How Do You Check the RPV for a particular product?
The GBCA has put together a Responsible Products Score Checker that is available via their website. Please note that in order to use the score checker you will need to create a new GBCA account.
How Many RPV Points Do SUPAWOOD Products Give You?
SUPAWOOD is committed to ensuring that our products contribute positively to building projects. Many of our products, including our acoustic and decorative panels, align with Green Star requirements and can contribute multiple RPV points due to the following:
- FSC and PEFC-certified timber options
- Low VOC emissions for better indoor air quality
- Recyclable materials and high durability, reducing the need for replacement
- Availability of Declare Labels for full transparency
Here are some examples of our Responsible Product Values copied directly from the GBCA Score Checker:
SUPAWOOD Points for a Declare Red List Approved Label
SUPAWOOD Points for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certification
SUPAWOOD Points for Forest Stewardship Council Certification(FSC) & a Declare Label
SUPAWOOD Points for Program for Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC)
SUPAWOOD Points for Program for Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) & a Declare Label
SUPAWOOD Points for the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative
SUPAWOOD Points for the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative & a Declare Label
Why Should You Care About RPV Points?
RPV points play a crucial role in determining how environmentally responsible a construction project is. If you’re an architect, builder, or specifier aiming for Green Star certification or other sustainability benchmarks, choosing materials with high RPV points can help you meet compliance requirements while also demonstrating a commitment to responsible sourcing.
Beyond certification, using materials with high RPV points contributes to reducing environmental impact, improving indoor air quality, and ensuring that resources are sourced from ethical and sustainable supply chains. In essence, selecting high-RPV products supports both sustainability goals and the long-term performance of a building.
RPV points are an essential consideration for any modern building project focused on sustainability. Understanding how they are calculated and selecting materials with high RPV scores can make a significant impact on achieving green building goals. With SUPAWOOD’s responsibly sourced and high-performance products, you can enhance your project’s environmental credentials while ensuring quality and aesthetic excellence.
Sources: Green Building Council Australia (GBCA)