GECA

Member | Tracking Since December 2023

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GECA Sustainability Actions

Building trust through independent verification of sustainability claims

GECA is helping Australian businesses communicate their sustainability achievements with greater credibility and confidence through its independent Claims Verification service. Following internationally recognised ISO 14021 principles, the service provides third-party verification of specific environmental claims relating to products, services and organisations. Claims are assessed against clear, evidence-based criteria, covering areas such as recycled content, recyclability, compostability and energy-related improvements. GECA's partnerships demonstrate how independent verification can support greater transparency across different industries. Through its collaboration with the Vinyl Council of Australia, GECA verifies recycled PVC content claims under the VinylCycle program. GECA has also partnered with Rebuilt to develop a Recycled Content Verification tool, combining digital evidence management with independent verification to help businesses substantiate recycled content claims. Through its Claim Verified trust mark, GECA helps organisations demonstrate the credibility of their environmental claims, reduce greenwashing risk and build confidence among consumers, specifiers and procurement professionals.

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Helping businesses make credible, evidence-based environmental claims

GECA is helping Australian businesses communicate their environmental achievements responsibly through education, guidance and independent third-party verification. In August 2026, GECA published guidance explaining how businesses can use environmental terminology such as 'eco-friendly', 'green' and 'environmentally preferable' accurately and transparently. The guidance highlights the importance of substantiating environmental claims with credible evidence, clearly communicating product attributes and avoiding misleading impressions. GECA also provides practical resources to help certified businesses communicate their credentials responsibly, supporting greater consumer confidence and more transparent sustainability communications.

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Supporting lower embodied carbon and more informed sustainable procurement

GECA is helping manufacturers demonstrate credible sustainability performance and supporting more informed procurement decisions through its independent lifecycle ecolabelling program. Following internationally recognised ISO 14024 principles, GECA's certification assesses products and services against rigorous criteria covering environmental, human health, social responsibility and fitness for purpose across their lifecycle. In August 2026, GECA celebrated the achievements of certified licensee InfraBuild, whose updated Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) demonstrated reductions in Global Warming Potential of up to 30% across several GECA certified steel products, following investments in renewable energy and manufacturing improvements. While EPDs provide transparent, quantified environmental data, GECA's independent certification offers broader assurance that products meet comprehensive lifecycle sustainability requirements extending beyond carbon emissions. Together, these complementary approaches help architects, specifiers and procurement professionals make more informed decisions, support continuous improvement and encourage better sustainability outcomes across Australia's built environment.

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Supporting Australia's transition towards Extended Producer Responsibility

GECA is contributing to industry discussions around product stewardship and the transition towards a more circular Australian economy. In August 2026, GECA highlighted research exploring the future of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Australia and the potential for international best practices to strengthen domestic product stewardship frameworks. The initiative highlights the importance of lifecycle thinking, greater producer accountability and improved management of products and materials beyond their initial use. By sharing industry research and promoting responsible production and consumption, GECA supports greater awareness of the opportunities to improve Australia's circular economy systems.

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Strengthening transparency and accountability across Australia's recycling industry

In June 2026, GECA partnered with the Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR) to launch the Australian Recycling Facilities standard, establishing a new national benchmark for genuine recycling facilities. The standard provides a framework for independent, third-party assessment of recycling facilities on a site-by-site basis, recognising that performance can vary across different operations and locations. Developed through industry consultation, it sets criteria covering environmental management, operational performance, transparent tracking and reporting of recovered materials, health and safety, and social responsibility. By establishing consistent requirements for recycling facilities, GECA aims to strengthen confidence in Australia's recycling system, support more informed procurement decisions, and encourage greater transparency and accountability across the circular economy.

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Advancing circular housing through verified recycled content and evidence-based procurement

In 2026, GECA undertook a first-of-its-kind Australian Recycled Content Verification Study, commissioned by Homes NSW, to explore opportunities to increase recycled content and reduce embodied carbon in modular housing. Using a completed modular dwelling supplied by MOOV Modular as a real-world case study, GECA assessed material supply chains, established a verified recycled-content baseline and identified opportunities for improvement. Project partner Rebuilt contributed embodied-carbon analysis to explore the relationship between recycled content and carbon emissions. The study established a verified recycled-content baseline of 20.1% by weight across the assessed dwelling, with modelling indicating potential upfront embodied-carbon reductions of up to approximately 10% under the scenarios examined. The findings informed 16 practical recommendations for strengthening evidence requirements, supply chain transparency and circular procurement practices. By combining independent assessment, lifecycle thinking and evidence-based recommendations, GECA is helping government and industry make more informed procurement decisions and identify practical pathways towards more circular and lower-impact housing.

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What do our labels mean?

Certified B Corporation Logo

Certified B Corporation
Green Building Council of Australia Logo

Green Building Council of Australia
UNGC Participant Logo

UNGC Participant

About GECA

  • Status
  • Employees
  • 5 - 25
  • Industry
  • Environmental Services
  • Country
  • Australia
  • Founded
  • 2000