Aspect Furniture Systems

Long-established in New Zealand, and with a growing presence in the Australian market, Aspect Furniture Systems designs and manufactures cutting-edge commercial furniture for today’s ever-evolving workplace. We recently asked Aspect’s Business Development Manager, Grant Kennerley, what GECA certification and sustainability means for the company, now and into the future.

New Services: GECA LCA Suite and Claims Authentication

No matter where you are on your sustainability journey, we want to help you to start where you are and build your capacity to reach the top level of independent third-party certification represented by the GECA ecolabel. That's why we're thrilled to launch our GECA LCA Suite and Claims Authentication services!  

Our GECA LCA Suite includes a range of benchmarked Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) services. Each of these may also include an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) earning points in schemes such as Green Star, LEED and ISCA.

Through our Claims Authentication service, you and your customers will have independent third-party assurance that your claim has been substantiated through an in-depth exploration. This means that conscious consumers will be able to confidently differentiate your product, service or organsiation from others that may have false or misleading claims.

Welcome Marlene!

We're delighted to welcome Marlene Brueton to Team GECA as our new Project & Administration Officer. Having worked in France and the UK for many years, she brings her expertise in project management, marketing, sales and customer relations. Marlene has a keen interest in new technologies, renewable energy and sustainable designs. She uses her spare time volunteering in a community garden, playing soccer and exploring Sydney.

Movie Ticket Giveaway

Written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Damon Gameau (That Sugar Film), 2040 is a journey to explore what the future could look like by the year 2040 if we embraced the best solutions available to us to improve our planet and shifted them into the mainstream.

To celebrate the movie's release, we’re giving away 22 double-passes to see the film at a screening cinema of your choice! To enter, simply be one of the first 22 people to let us know which GECA certified product is your favourite.

Steel & Steel Products

A new draft GECA standard for steel and steel products is now available for public comment. The scope of the standard includes the extraction of raw materials, the production of steel as well as refinement processes, such as coating or galvanising of steel products. Steel products can pose a significant environmental burden during their manufacture, use and disposal. These environmental aspects include, but are not limited to the energy use and the ensuing carbon emissions during production. GECA welcomes comments on the standard from the public and industry professionals until 10 June.

BFX Furniture

We’re so excited to welcome our newest licensee – BFX Furniture! BFX is a leading Australian company specialising in both office and education. They have certified 66 products under our Furniture & Fittings (Level B) FFv3.0-2017 standard. These range from seating and tables to innovative storage solutions.

Green Star Future Focus Consultation Paper

The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) have released their Green Star Future Focus consultation paper for new buildings. The paper outlines the next iteration of Green Star rating tools based on rigorous industry consultation. GBCA is calling for further input on the proposed framework for Green Star for New Buildings. The consultation period will be open until 10 June.

Living Future Institute of Australia Appoints First CEO

The Living Future Institute of Australia (LFIA) has appointed Laura Hamilton-O’Hara as its first chief executive officer. Her appointment will help the team meet the growing interest in LFIA’s work on both the Living Building Challenge and the Biophilic Design Initiative.

Total Facilities Industry Report 2019

Asia-Pacific is set to become the world’s largest Facilities Management (FM) market. Total Facilities has released a report detailing both the current and future trends affecting the FM industry. The report is based on a recent survey of FM professionals. Wellness and workspace design was one of the trends flagged as having a big impact on the industry over the next three years.

Modern Slavery 2018: Draft Guidance Open for Comment

The Australian Government Department of Home Affairs has released draft guidance for Australia’s Modern Slavery Act 2018. At GECA, we know that for a product or service to be truly sustainable, it must be good for people as well as planet. So we encourage all of our stakeholders to take this opportunity to inform the final version.

Sustainable & Social Procurement Masterclass

Action Sustainability Asia Pacific is offering a one-day masterclass on how to use ISO 20400 to achieve social, environmental and economic objectives through procurement and supply chain management. The class will be held on Tuesday 7 May in Sydney. To register or find out more click the button below.

Entries Now Open for Banksia Sustainability Awards

GECA is proud to be a supporting partner of the Banksia Foundation’s 2019 Banksia Sustainability Awards. The awards bring together and celebrate the most innovative, effective and outstanding people contributing to improving Australia’s sustainability. We encourage GECA licensees to showcase their leadership and innovation by entering the awards.

IKEA Australia Announces Switch to Electric Vehicles

On 8 March, GECA attended IKEA Australia’s panel discussion on ‘Powering the Future of Delivery’. During the event, IKEA announced its commitment to use only electric vehicles for all of its operations and services by 2025, with the roll out starting immediately.

Women in Procurement & Supply Chain
30 April - 2 May, Sydney

GECA’s Sarah Sannen will be participating in a panel discussion at the 5th Annual Women in Procurement & Supply Chain conference dedicated to unlocking the value of social procurement and supplier diversity. We hope to see you there!

DesignBUILD
14 - 16 May, Sydney

At GECA, we’re proud to be a Supporting Association Partner of DesignBUILD, the industry’s only trade event dedicated to showcasing the latest in design and construction product and materials. Our CEO, Kate Harris, will be presenting Materials Matter – how to procure for people, planet and profit on Wednesday 15 May at 3pm in the DESIGN Theatre. You can also visit us at stand G3 to see our unique Materials in Mind pod! DesignBUILD is free to all industry professionals if you pre-register online.

LoveEarth Festival
25 May, Sydney

Climate action nonprofit 1 Million Women are celebrating their 10th birthday, and everyone's invited! Join Team GECA at The Carriage Works and be inspired by world leaders and women from the front lines of climate change, sustainable fashion gurus, zero wasters and performances from superstar musicians who have spent their careers fighting for what’s right. Plus watch DIY demos on how to live a plastic-free, zero waste life!

EduBuild 2019
6 - 7 June, Sydney

Join GECA at Australia’s largest education buildings and infrastructure conference and trade show. EduBUILD is for education leaders and decision-makers involved in design, construction, renovation, maintenance, operation and management of buildings for schools, colleges and universities. GECA community members can click here to receive an exclusive 15% discount on the Conference Delegate Ticket. Come and say hi - you'll find us at Stand #1353.

DENFAIR 2019
20 - 22 June, Melbourne

We're proud to be a Supporting Partner of DENFAIR - Australia’s most compelling design event. In June, the leading lights of the Australian design and architecture community will converge for three days of expertly curated inspiration, conversation and collaboration. We hope to see you there!