ROCKPANEL is the first cladding manufacturer to receive certification from the BRE complying with EN 15804, an environmental norm for construction products and systems. The product uses basalt rock, a widely available raw material as it's basis. The European Product Declaration (EPD) allows manufacturers to reduce cost, complexity and environmental impact, architects to compare competing materials from an environmental perspective and contractors and building owners to comply with government rules.

BRE Global officially handed over the European Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) certificate to company delegates at a conference in Watford. The verification is based on product data collection and a Life Cycle Assessment by BRE Global.

“When BRE Global launched the European EPD program we immediately confirmed our participation. Since we have a proven track record in being at the forefront of sustainability industry developments it is a great honour for us to take the lead in this important initiative. We believe this European EPD will bring uniformity and reduce the complexity for our main stakeholders in the European building industry”, according to John Relou, Sustainability Officer for the comapny.

Driven by the European Commission’s objective to add a sustainability dimension to construction works, BRE Global is well underway with the individual environmental, social and financial norms for this construction framework. The aim is to remove country and protectionist barriers for the building industry in Europe.

Victoria Blake, BRE’s Associate Director of Sustainable Products said; “ROCKPANEL’s verified EN 15804 EPD illustrates that they firmly believe in sustainability and reducing the environmental impact of their manufacturing. They can now positively distinguish their products from the competition across Europe”.

The manufacturer recognizes a growing requirement from architects and contractors to use sustainable materials in facade design. This fits perfectly with both new build and renovation projects for which energy and aesthetic aspects are important. The company has a long term relationship with the BRE, originating within the Environmental Profiles scheme. Already in 2010 the BRE acknowledged that ROCKPANEL’s low maintenance façade panels meet the highest A+ and A environmental performance ratings for the installed product. For an increasing percentage of building projects material choices are based on sustainability. This certification by BRE Global establishes ROCKPANEL as an independently recognized sustainable choice.