The UK’s leading cement manufacturer, Lafarge, has been awarded the prestigious BES 6001 Responsible Sourcing Certificate developed by BRE Global.  It is the first UK cement producer to receive this accolade.



The ’Very Good’ classification applies to all bulk and packed cements from Lafarge Cement as well as its packed ready-to-use range.  It has also achieved ’Good’ classification for its bulk loads of BS EN450-1 Fly Ash meaning that products supplied to ready mix, precast or packed customers are now responsibly sourced.

The BES 6001 framework standard is an independent certification scheme, launched at the start of 2009 to assess responsible sourcing policies and practices throughout the construction product supply chain.  The universal rating system enables architects, specifiers and builders to more easily meet sustainability targets and move towards zero carbon buildings.



To meet the scheme’s strict criteria, Lafarge Cement had to demonstrate compliance in three categories:  organisational management, supply chain management and environmental and social issues.  Products were assessed under a range of criteria relating to quality, emissions, raw material minimisation, biodiversity and supporting management systems.



Lafarge Cement’s recognition is the latest in a series of major investments made by the business to help customers strengthen their sustainability credentials.  As well as demonstrating Lafarge’s strong ethics as a global supplier, it enables concrete producers and builders using cement products to improve their own sustainability rating. 



Erdogan Pekenc, Managing Director of Lafarge Cement UK, comments:  “Gaining this prestigious accreditation is a major step forward for us in demonstrating our commitment to reducing CO2 and waste to landfill, by recovering and re-using using other industries’ waste by-products in our cements.  But more importantly, it supports our customers in boosting their own sustainability credentials.  Now, if they wish to get their products assessed and our cement is used in them, the process is very simple – they can use our Responsible Sourcing certificate which immediately demonstrates their credibility in using a sustainable supplier.”



The certification is particularly important for developers and the public sector preparing to meet increasing sustainability building codes and the up and coming Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 from April 2010.  



Erdogan explains: “Having products responsibly sourced wins additional credits under the Materials section of the Code for Sustainable Homes and BREEAM; it adds vital extra credits towards the Code targets, which is important for clients working to improve their rating.”