September 2014 saw the release of BRE Global's first certificate issued against the latest version of the BES 6001 Framework Standard for Responsible Sourcing. The certificate (RS0007) was issued to Marshalls for a range of concrete building products and dimensional stone products.

The new version of the standard, launched in May 2014, has a number of key differences to its predecessor, specifically:

1. the addition of new requirements around Energy Management, Ecotoxicity and Business Ethics
2. revisions to a number of the clauses in the earlier standard, including a greater number of compulsory requirements, making the scheme a more robust test of responsible sourcing characteristics
3. a new certificate design, presenting the results of the wide-ranging audit in a more useable and transparent manner.

Number 3 above will be of particular interest to those using the standard to help them specify materials and products. The certificate demonstrates just how well Marshalls (and other future certificate holders) performed in each of the eighteen clauses of the standard. This means that  the new BRE Global BES 6001 certificate will enable users to more accurately select those suppliers that best meet their specific material needs, because - as shown in the image above - individual clause performance is clearly presented.

David Morrell, Head of Sustainability at Marshalls said:

‘‘Marshalls is delighted to be awarded BRE Global’s first BES 6001 Issue 3 certificate.  The revised scheme enables Marshalls to demonstrate a wider range of responsible sourcing credentials and materials, including natural stone and masonry.  The expanded certificate means that our clients have a clear understanding of the scope of our performance.’’

Most current BES 6001 certificate holders will be upgrading their certification, from the old Issue 2 version of the standard to the Issue 3 version, by the end of the transition period on 31 May 2015.  After that date only new Issue 3 BES 6001 certificates will be valid.