Qatar-based Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (Gord) will develop standard and technical regulations for green products, founding chairman Dr Yousef al-Horr told Gulf Times yesterday.
“The market is flooded with products that claim to be green and people have no idea how to verify their green standards,” he explained on the sidelines of a meeting of the GCC subcommittee for the green building specifications.
Dr al-Horr pointed out that green building standards for construction activities are part of the overall GCC standardisation authority. “For GCC building and construction, the standards must be compliant with GSAS (Global Sustainability Assessment System), which is redeveloped by Qatar and reviewed by the GCC states.”
The Gord official explained that for green materials and other products, ISO standards as well as internationally recognised standards are to be followed. In addition, they must be customised to suit to the local as well as regional climate and context.
“We have developed the Gulf green mark. This standard looks after the environmental product declaration,” he pointed out.
In Qatar, two local companies have products according to Gord specifications. One produces plastic pipes while the other is in the concrete readymix industry.
“They are following all the Gord specifications and were approved after rigorous and scientific process for the impact of the production process in terms of energy and water saving and less pollution to the environment in the manufacturing process,” continued Dr al-Horr.
“Several other products and big companies have started to get certification for cement, steel and other products. About six products are already waiting for certification and it shows that people are accepting the idea of certification. People need to understand the importance of this certification,” he urged.
The official also said that there was good progress in adopting the GSAS standards as Gord is trying to support the market with green products. In November Gord will hold the green expo.
In addition to the GCC Standardisation Organisation delegates, representatives of various Standardisation Organisations from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain also attended the meeting long with experts from academic and research bodies.
Dr Yousef al-Horr (right) along with other officials at the subcommittee meeting. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil
