Sustainable construction means using green building products

ABU DHABI -- The Future Build, Masdar’s online green building products’ portal and the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council’s, QCC, Environmental Performance Trustmark Certification Schemes, have announced a strategic partnership to create the largest database of products certified to UAE sustainable building requirements.

The agreement, signed during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, will make information about hundreds of the QCC Environmental Performance Trustmark products available on The Future Build on-line platform alongside existing subscribers, providing consultants, specifies and contractors with an easy, user-friendly search capability to source even more quality building products.

"Upgrading The Future Build portal to offer Trustmark search capabilities was seen as the next logical step in the online directory’s progression. The authenticity that the QCC Trustmark brings is welcomed by the market and we are proud to have The Future Build become the platform to further promote those suppliers that recognize the importance of verifiable sustainable product attributes," said Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany, Director of Sustainability at Masdar.

The first portal of its kind to originate in the MENA region, The Future Build assists architects, engineers and contractors in identifying and sourcing green building products and materials that have been assessed to ensure they deliver the environmental benefits claimed in line with local and international green building rating systems.

"The mandate of the QCC is to ensure that the products and materials used in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi meet the highest standards of quality, safety and environmental performance. This partnership with Masdar will significantly strengthen our reach to target audiences who actively use The Future Build online database to source products and materials," said Mohammed Helal Al Balooshi, Marketing and Communications Acting Director, QCC.

The QCC is an Abu Dhabi government entity established to enable quality infrastructure and raise the quality of Abu Dhabi’s exports and products traded locally. The QCC consists of a council of regulators and industry with a mandate to ensure provision of quality infrastructure in line with global standards.

The partnership between The Future Build and QCC has been welcomed by the construction sector.

"The integration of QCC’s Trust marked products into The Future Build database creates a powerful searchable tool for the industry. The reassurance that the Trustmark certification brings when we are dealing with suppliers cannot be undervalued. We believe it will stimulate the local supply chain to move towards more sustainable offerings and allow The Future Build to continue to promote these products effectively," said Holley Chant, Executive Director Corporate Sustainability, KEO International Consultants.

The Future Build portal, receives 250,000 visitors annually, responds to the vital need for greater access to quality and green building products for new and existing buildings in the region.