We all know that one of the main focuses in UK construction is how we can deliver environmentally sustainable buildings, safely, on time, and within budget.

But there is a real issue around the lack of transparent reporting, data and independent verification of products which is compromising our ability to deliver lower carbon buildings.

Building owners and developers who are targeting BREEAM Excellent ratings or benchmarks such as LETI’s embodied carbon targets, need early, data-led material choices that balance performance, durability, and whole-life carbon impact.

However, a recent survey by NBS highlighted the scarcity of credible information from suppliers about the sustainability credentials of their products. Problems include inconsistent supply chain data, a lack of transparency around embodied carbon, and limited access to reliable certification schemes.

As the world’s largest manufacturer of raised access flooring, we understand our role in not just ensuring that our processes and products achieve the highest possible sustainable standards, but also to offer sector leadership.

We now hold the following accreditation:

• 9001:2015 Quality
• 14001:2015 Environmental
• 50001:2018 Energy
• 45001:2018 H&S
• 37301:2021 Compliance

We fully endorse, and only use, chipboard (particleboard) from FSC® certified manufacturers.

Over the past 10 years, we’ve added a range of other construction-focused sustainability standards to demonstrate quality and compliance, but also progress.

our panels verified against the volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions testing,

Our recent achievement of Cradle to Cradle Certified ® Silver* for seven of our core product offerings shows our commitment to product and process standards.

At the same time, we also obtained Materials Passports and achieved EPD and HPD updates which show just how much we’ve improved our portfolio over the last five years.

Our panels have previously achieved exceptional passes as part of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions testing – a process that has to be regularly revalidated in line with VOC guidelines. Our latest product VOC re-testing is currently underway (June 2025) and we’ll update you with the results in a few months.

Which Tate Flooring Products Have EPDs, HPDs & Materials Passports?

The full list of certifications for each product (including EPDs*, HPDs*, FSC® Certificates, and Materials Passports*) is included within the product’s listing on our website.

All panels contain chipboard (particleboard) from FSC® certified manufacturers.

As the recent NBS survey shows, embodied carbon is one of the biggest issues for specifiers today, and is a significant source of emissions in the built environment.

Unlike operational carbon, which can be reduced over time, embodied carbon is locked into buildings from day one, which makes early-stage design and specification decisions critical. That’s why reducing embodied carbon in our products is a top priority at Tate.

We now offer nine Low Embodied Carbon (LEC) products thanks to our pioneering work partnering with suppliers to source low-carbon electric arc steel and increasing the recycled content in our wood-based components

We continue to look at all forms of assessment to help us verify and validate our goal of a net zero carbon supply of products. All this will help ensure that we continue to meet our customers’ need to deliver net zero buildings of the future.