Why and how to meet the Gensler Product Sustainability (GPS) Standards

If you've ever walked around a major United States metropolitan city, you've likely seen, passed by, or even been in a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified building.

According to the United States Green Building Council, there are “197,000 LEED projects worldwide,” touching “186 countries and territories”, with over “29 billion +SF.” When you enter a LEED building, you can take a deep breath and realize that the building is not only healthy for you, but it is healthy for the environment.

Enter the Gensler Product Sustainability (GPS) Standards™ v1.1. Gensler is an “architecture, design, and planning firm” with a large global footprint. Gensler recently introduced their Sustainability Standards for their customers, including criteria in their specifications for clients.

How to use the Gensler Sustainability Standards

One tool that Gensler provides is an interactive table that one can use to narrow down requirements in two jurisdictions, Europe and the UK, and US and Canada. From there, there are a plethora of industries to narrow down the search. For instance, if you are in the flooring industry in the US, you can select your “Region” and “Product Category” – in this case “Resilient Flooring and Base” and a table will pop up that shows different categories including “Organizational Commitments,” “Life-Cycle Impacts” and more.

The default view shows the relevant Gensler Standard for each category. Interestingly, Gensler uses what might be considered the industry-best requirements – such as California state requirements – see “Indoor Air Impacts”.

You can toggle to the “Market Differentiators” view to see what you may do, in addition to meeting the Gensler Standards.

Why is this useful?

Sustainability Standards like Gensler's are leading indicators of your commitment to sustainability. While many sustainability standards are voluntary now, they may be required in the future. By meeting the Gensler Standards, you can position your brand at the forefront of commitment to sustainability.

If a customer has an option to purchase a product in your exact industry that meets Gensler Standards v. one that does not, then that customer may view your product as safer. Having the Genser “stamp of approval” so to speak, could make a difference.

If you decide to aim for market differentiation, then you are showing customers that you are working to meet the most stringent requirements, both mandatory and voluntary. It shows customers that you are at the forefront of sustainability in your field.

Regardless of whether you meet Gensler Standards or go beyond them, you are positioning yourself to improve your overall brand reputation.

How to start working toward achieving the Gensler Standards

If you are in one of the industry categories covered by the Gensler Standards, then you may do the following:

• Compare your current certifications against the Gensler Standards.
• Determine which category such as “Organizational Commitments,” “Life-Cycle Impacts” (etc.) to prioritize.
• Allocate resources to put workflows in place to meet the Standards both locally and throughout your supply chain.
• Collect product and supplier data and prepare supporting documentation that is necessary for compliance throughout your supply chain
• Develop a thorough communication strategy to present to your C-Suite and to publicize internally and externally when Gensler confirms that you've met its Standards.

Two things are converging at once: customers are more knowledgeable about what is in the products that they purchase and corporations face pressure and incentives to become leaders in sustainability. By working toward meeting the Gensler Standards, manufacturers can position themselves for success both in terms of compliance and name-brand recognition.

Looking to advance your compliance and sustainability? Get in touch with a 3E expert to discuss advancements in product data collection and transparency reporting.