Flooring products manufactured by Van Dyck, a sister company to radial truck recycler Mathe Group, have been certified by Global GreenTag. This is one of the world’s most scientifically advanced product certification and declaration systems.
Van Dyck’s Chief Executive, Dr. Mehran Zarrebini, states that the KwaZulu-Natal company, which manufactures and distributes rubber pavers and rubber flooring for gyms, fitness zones, playgrounds, and equestrian surfaces, sees GreenTag certification as a game changer. The certification ensures that Van Dyck stays ahead of regulatory requirements. It also meets and exceeds the most stringent environmental standards.
Variety of products assessed
Global GreenTag Africa Director, Lizette Swanevelder, confirms that the Van Dyck product range submitted for GreenTag assessment included: Self-Adhesive Acoustic Underlay, Plain Acoustic Underlay, Magnetic Flooring System, Acoustic Cradles, Rubber Flooring, Acoustic Wall Tiles, Acoustic Gym Tiles, Ballistic Blocks, Shockpad, Scaffolding Sole Board, and Solar Protection Pad.
She said, “The Van Dyck range received a Global GreenTag GBCSA Level B Award after being assessed according to Global GreenTag’s criteria for toxicity, material extraction, social and environmental requirements, durability, end-of-life considerations, and product emissions. The company provided evidence of materials down to 0.01% of the product, which was risk-assessed and approved by an external toxicologist. The post-consumer recycled content records were verified along with their environmental management system.”
Legal compliance, water permits, and ISO 9001 compliance were also checked by GreenTag. The environmental claims on their website were verified against ISO 14021 requirements. Van Dyck provided evidence of durability through independent laboratory testing for acoustic insulation properties and critical fall height.
Homogenous products are easier to recycle
The products are mostly homogenous, which makes them easier to recycle in the future. Results from VOC emissions testing were within the requirements for flooring products as stated in the Green Building Council South Africa guidelines.
Although Van Dyck achieved Global GreenTag certification in 2019 and retained it in 2021, it took until 2024 to obtain the next recertification as the application process is extremely stringent. Dr. Zarrebini pointed out that Global GreenTag certification can benefit a company like Van Dyck immediately and in the long term.
Immediate benefits include enhanced market credibility, market differentiation, regulatory compliance. Also, improved supply chain relationships, and increased consumer trust and loyalty.
“Obtaining Global GreenTag certification positions Van Dyck as a leader in sustainability, enhancing the company’s reputation among consumers, partners, and stakeholders. In this competitive market, the certification can attract eco-conscious customers and clients looking for sustainable products. Suppliers and business partners may also prefer to work with certified companies, which can lead to stronger, more reliable business relationships.
“Most importantly, modern consumers are increasingly prioritizing sustainability. The Global GreenTag certification will build trust and loyalty, leading to increased sales and customer retention,” he says.
Benefits of a Global GreenTag certification
By securing and maintaining Global GreenTag certification, Van Dyck enhances its immediate market position and lays a solid foundation for sustainable growth. Over time, maintaining the Global GreenTag certification can establish Van Dyck as a leader in sustainable product manufacturing within the industry. Also enhancing its brand image and influence in shaping industry standards and practices.
Dr. Zarrebini also notes that the certification increases operational efficiencies, as it often involves improving product life cycles, resource efficiency, and waste management practices. “Commitment to sustainability can drive innovation. Van Dyck may invest more in research and development of new, sustainable product materials and processes. This will allow them to stay ahead of market trends and technological advancements. Investors are increasingly considering environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. A strong sustainability profile, evidenced by Global GreenTag certification, can attract investment and potentially lower the cost of capital,” he adds.
It can also open new global markets, particularly in regions where environmental regulations are stringent, expanding business opportunities globally. Already, a large portion of Van Dyck’s output is exported to the United Kingdom and the Middle East.
Ms. Swanevelder explains that Global GreenTag™ also assesses products for all aspects of impact on human health, ethical labour supply, and the environment. It simplifies the selection of environmentally sustainable, healthy, and ethical products for industries like architecture, design, and construction. It helps professionals and consumers make informed decisions about preferred green and ethical products.
“Today, more than ever before, we need a deeper understanding of how building design impacts thousands of people, before its construction, during its use, and after deconstruction. The understanding produces solutions that will solve these concerns and prevent further ecological impact on the environment. We all want to live and work in greener buildings, and we need to start by looking more closely at the environmental impact of construction products. Unfortunately, finding out which products are safer and better for the environment is a lot harder than it seems,” she says.
She emphasizes that genuine products need genuine recognition. ‘Greenwashing’ has ruled in the ‘eco’ product market, with any brand able to claim to be an environmental saviour with a few ‘natural’ ingredients and some sharp marketing.
Fake products take sales away from genuinely deserving brands
“Fake products in green packaging take sales away from genuinely deserving brands. The planet continues to be exploited in the name of inauthentic design, claiming to be ‘green’ or ‘eco-friendly’. These terms are broad and overused, but more importantly, they create confusion in the market when there is no substantiation of such claims. We created the Global GreenTag set of tools to cut through the greenwash and empower professionals and consumers to confidently choose products that have been made to help support the health of the planet, and assessed using evidence-based, robust, cutting-edge science. GreenTag takes the doubt out of buying, and because buyers know they can trust the label, genuine green products earn the greatest reward of all: trust,” she concludes.
NOTE TO EDITORS: About Global GreenTag:
Global GreenTag International operates the Global GreenTagCert™ system, which assesses products for all aspects of impacts on human health, ethical labour supply and the environment. The company was established in 2010 as a third party verified Conformance Conformity Assessment Body that conducts the award winning Global GreenTagCert™ certification program, and a third party, multi-criteria, consensus based and externally verified Type 1 Ecolabelling Program that complies and operates under strict International Standards.
Global GreenTag’s governance and its own external verification and certification is set against standards such as ISO 14024 (Ecolabelling), ISO 17065 (Conformance Assessment) and ISO 9001 (Quality Management) among others.
In setting out to create a totally robust and defensible third-party certification scheme, Global GreenTag established one of the most certified, certification schemes by getting it-self certified as well, compliant with a multitude of international standards.
- Externally certified to ISO 9001 for Quality Management
- Externally verified as compliant to:
- ISO 14024 for Type 1 (Third Party) Eco-labels and
- ISO 17065 for Conformance Assessment Bodies
- Certification is compliant to ISO 14040 & ISO 14044 for LCA
- ISO 14067 for Greenhouse Gas calculation
- ISO 14025 for Environmental Product Declarations and
- ISO 21930 and EN 15804 for specific need EPDs
GreenTag’s recognition by the green build environment is global. Its product certification and declaration programs covers product related credits in the world’s largest and most used rating tools including Green Star, LEED, BREEAM International, WELL, EarthCheck, Green Mark International, Green Globes and The Living Building Challenge.
