We've been working on creating a fresh new look for GECA - and we're almost ready to share it with you. Stay tuned for the big reveal, plus some more exciting news from us, in the coming weeks!

After 4 years of development involving 52 countries and 11 international organisations, ISO20400, the first international standard on sustainable procurement, has been finalised and published.

Join other like-minded CEOs, Sustainability and Procurement Professionals from the public and private sectors for the official launching of ISO20400 in New South Wales on 31 May (Victoria's similar event to be confirmed). You will hear all you need to know from those who built the standard (including GECA!) and also from those who are already benefiting from using it. Short presentations will be followed by cocktail networking drinks. Don't miss the opportunity to network with sustainable procurement leaders! Read more about the standard and book tickets to the event today.

The Australian Government has put out a call for submissions to contribute to the development of Australia's first Foreign Policy White Paper since 2003.

The White Paper Taskforce received around 600 public submissions and 8,500 campaign based submissions from a diverse range of stakeholders.

GECA was one of those stakeholders. We've argued that trade in sustainable goods and services is one of the "ambitious economic opportunities" that should be embraced in the White Paper, and that Australia should take a regional leadership role in sustainable development. You can read our full submission here (PDF).

In April, GECA was pleased to welcome fellow GEN members, the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute (KEITI), as visitors to Australia. It was a fantastic opportunity for both organisations to share insights with each other and compare ecolabelling schemes between Australia and South Korea.

Don't miss Green + Building Exhibition 2017! Building and construction industry professionals will find equipment, materials, hardware, technology and services, offered by local and international suppliers all in one place on 7-8 July 2017 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Free seminars and product workshops during the two-day event will provide opportunities to discover new ideas and listen to inspirational case studies. GECA's Kate Harris will be speaking on the future of sustainable procurement. You can come and say hi to GECA at our stall, and visit our licensee Wattyl/Valspar as well. Read more.

GECA is pleased to welcome New Zealand-based carpet distributor, Lifestyle Flooring! They can now provide a range of certified carpet underlays that have a lower environmental, health and social impact.

Foam carpet underlay from Lifestyle Flooring will help extend the life of your carpet, absorbing any impacts and keeping your carpet looking brand new for longer.

Welcome back Healtheclean, who have freshly re-certified their range with GECA for another three years! They have also added some new products to further expand their offerings.

You can now pre-soak pots and pans, do your laundry, keep your drains clean, tackle the biggest cleaning tasks and even clean your hair with GECA certified products from Healtheclean. The following products will be listed on our website soon:

E7 Pot & Pan Pre-Soaker, E15 Laundry Liquid Detergent, E45 Bio Drain Opener & Odour Treatment, G2  Super Heavy Duty Cleaner, E16 Hair Shampoo.

GECA licensee Mark Perry Commercial Furniture has just been re-certified! All of their existing GECA certified products have had their licenses renewed, and one new product has been added to the list: the Envy Chair, pictured here.

The Envy Chair features a glamorous mesh backrest, luxurious moulded foam seat and fully ergonomic functionality, offering style and comfort whilst satisfying all OH&S requirements. More details available here.

As well as Mark Perry Commercial Furniture and Healtheclean, two more GECA licensees have been freshly recertified with us: Astec Paints and Siam Fibreglass have renewed their commitments to manufacturing and supplying products with lower environmental, health and social impacts.

Entries are now open for the 2017 Green Gown Awards Australasia! The Awards are open to all Australasian tertiary education institutions including universities, TAFE, Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) and Registered Training Organisations (RTO).

Many of us are now involved in sustainability projects but how do we let others know about it? Being recognised in the Awards can have huge benefits: within your institution; the local community; the wider sector and even globally. GECA will be on the judging panel, so get your entries in today.

For over a decade, Architecture & Design has held the Sustainability Awards, an awards program devoted to sustainable building. The awards reward those who work to curtail and reverse the ecological footprint of our built environment. If you design, manufacture and construct green buildings of all sizes and purposes, this is your chance to be recognised.

GECA's Kate Harris is one of the judges this year - because GECA, like Architecture & Design, believes sustainability should be the primary requirement for all building design and the major measure of architectural achievement. Read more.

Each year since 2000, in honour of World Environment Day, the United Nations Association of Australia has presented the World Environment Day Awards to leaders in environmental innovation.

The awards will highlight work being done by organisations and individuals that will enable Australia to adapt most effectively to expected changes in climate; mitigate the effects of such climate change and help move Australia to net zero emissions by the second half of this century. GECA's Kate Harris will be judging the UNAA Climate Change Leadership Award.

Entries for the Awards have now closed. You can get involved by registering to attend the forum on June 7 which includes a morning showcase, Awards Presentation lunch and afternoon expert-led workshops. Registrations close on May 24 - register now.

Now you have even more time to enter your green building products or innovative interior products into the 4th International Green Interior Awards! The entry deadline has been extended to 27 May, 2017, so don't miss out!

This is the only awards stage in the world that is 100% focused on interior products that are healthy for people and our planet. For more information on how to enter, click here.