GECA is pleased to have become a member of The Sustainability Consortium (TSC), a US-based global organisation of diverse participants working collaboratively to build a scientific foundation to improve the sustainability of consumer products.

GECA now has access to the valuable resources developed by TSC and can help Australian businesses benefit from their extensive and detailed research, tools and services, including general and customised training. Read more.

Thousands of tradespeople and trade contractors will now be able to receive training in sustainability through a new program called ‘Green Tradies™’, developed by the Green Building Institute. GECA is proud to be a partner of the course.

The Green Tradies™ Program has been developed especially for trade contractors wanting to ‘green’ their business and learn how to choose and recommend sustainable materials. It is also designed to help contractors looking to gain contracts on green building projects such as Green Star, and HIA GreenSmart. Read more.

Buying Australian-made products makes a lot of sense for a lot of reasons.

After all, there are several obvious benefits, such as supporting local industry and, in turn, the Australian economy.

There are also obvious environmental benefits to buying locally-produced products. But when looking at these products, it is important to ask what it means for a product to be “Australian made.” Read more.

Eco-friendly living doesn’t have to come at huge expense or at the cost of convenience. It can also look simply like any other DIY home renovation work done by ordinary people on a budget.

One Sydney couple chose to renovate a double garage space into a 'granny flat'-style apartment, using as many eco-friendly materials as they could. Over the next few weeks, GECA will be posting updates that follow the renovation process from start to finish. You can read the rest of the introduction here or dive into the first stage: installing insulation.

If you've recently completed or participated in a design project with a strong sustainable focus, there are some fantastic opportunities for your achievements to be recognised.

This month, check out Moroso and modulyss as our newest licensees, and newly certified products from Direct Ergonomics.

We're also pleased to welcome back Hufcor, the world's largest manufacturer of operable partitions, glass walls and washroom cubicle systems. Hufcor is unique in offering GECA certified corporate bathroom fitout solutions, as well as having a range of other walling system products. See their certified products here.

Creating foam products with the environment in mind isn’t always an easy task. However, Joyce Foam is tackling the issue by using Variable Pressure Foam (VPF) technology at their production facility. This drastically reduces air emissions and solidifies Joyce Foam’s commitment to environmentally responsible manufacturing, also reflected in their GECA certification. Read more or watch a video of the process.

GECA is starting the process of revising its Furniture & Fittings Level B standard (FFv2.0i-2006 mod 2010) as it has reached its validity date, and must be revised according to the GECA Scheme Rules.

Due to overlap between the criteria of this standard and the Furniture Fittings & Foam Level A standard (FFFv2.1i-2010), both will be revised simultaneously. Read more for information on how this might affect you.

Australia's biggest design event, Sydney Indesign 2015, is happening right now! Don't miss out on your chance to attend this weekend, 13-15 August.

Many outstanding design brands exhibiting this year are certified with GECA's ecolabel. Follow the GECA eco trail between 13-15 August to find out more about these exhibitors and their certified products. Plus, you have the chance to WIN $1000 to spend at one of their stores!