Eco-friendly flooring trends in Singapore and how to check environmental claims before you specify: documentation, scope, lifecycle and end of life.
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Two kinds of certification, often confused
Green building discussions mix two different things. A building-level scheme rates a project as a whole. A product-level certification or declaration describes a specific material. Flooring can contribute documents to the first, but a flooring product is not itself a green building.
This guide explains how the two relate and how to check that documents match what you are specifying. It does not state which schemes any ANB product meets. Requirements change, so confirm current criteria with the scheme operator.
Building-level schemes
These assess a project, usually across energy, materials, indoor environment and other areas. Flooring is one of many inputs. Examples of schemes referred to in Singapore projects include Green Mark and LEED. The flooring-related requirements, if any, depend on the scheme, its version and the project type.
Product-level certifications and declarations
These describe a product, for example emissions performance, environmental declarations or label schemes. Examples referred to in the market include Singapore Green Label, FloorScore, GREENGUARD and environmental product declarations. Each has its own scope and criteria.
How they connect
| Level | What it covers | What flooring contributes |
|---|---|---|
| Building scheme | Whole project performance | Supporting documents, where the scheme asks for them |
| Product certification or label | A specific product's attribute | Evidence for a named requirement |
| Environmental declaration | Lifecycle information on a product | Data that consultants may use in assessments |
How to check a document
- Does it name the exact product, or only a family or manufacturer?
- Is the colourway or variant you are buying covered?
- Is it in date?
- Who issued it and under which scheme version?
- Does it relate to the requirement your project actually has?
What to do in a specification
- Ask the project's green building consultant which requirements apply.
- Name the specific scheme or test, not a general term.
- Require the supporting document with the submittal.
- State whether adhesives and accessories are included.
Common mistakes
- Treating a product label as proof that the building meets a scheme.
- Assuming a certificate for one product covers another from the same range.
- Relying on an expired document.
- Choosing the product first and checking documents last.
Related guides on ANB Furnishing
- Sustainable Building Trends in Singapore & Their Flooring Impact
- How Architects Choose Flooring Materials
- What Influences Flooring Decisions in Large Projects
Frequently asked questions
Is a green building certification the same as a product label?
No. A building scheme assesses a whole project, while a product label or declaration describes one material.
Does a certificate cover every colour in a range?
Not necessarily. Confirm that it names the exact product and variant.
Who decides which requirements apply?
The project's green building consultant and the scheme's current criteria.
Can ANB confirm which certifications a product holds?
Ask ANB Furnishing which documents are available for the specific product you are considering.
Next step
For product options, samples or a project quotation, contact ANB Furnishing with your floor plan, area, intended use and required completion date.
