A significant number of high-profile organisations and companies have pledged their support to support the creation of a new Publicly Available Specification standard (PAS) to be awarded to companies in the building sector that demonstrate a commitment to a healthier buildings code of practice and the circular economy.

Arup, Atkins, Tata Steel, Bam Construction, the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA), the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), Public Health England, CEC Global, the armed forces charity SSAFA, NHS Wales, Cardiff Council and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David are just some of the organisations backing the initiative.

The circular economy is an alternative to the current linear model of take, make, waste. It is designed to help organisations be more prudent with their use of resources – to reuse, recycle, regenerate, and care for the well-being of people, resources and the planet.

The standard will tie in with and meet the aims and objectives of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, a Welsh Government initiative focussed on improving and measuring the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales. The initiative is designed to encourage companies to create a better working environment, help to reduce waste and improve organisational well-being.

The drive to create a new standard is being spearheaded by EFT Consult, a Wales-based company that specialises in cutting edge and innovative technology solutions in relation to the design and consultancy of the built environment, working closely with BSI. EFT Consult is part of the RD Group, which also comprises RDM Electrical Services and DRS Facilities and Environmental.

They are working to create a draft Publicly Available Specification standardisation document (PAS). A PAS is a fast-track standardisation document that defines good practice for a product, service or process. In this case, it will help companies meet the aims and objectives of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and building regulations and planning in line with the guiding framework principles of the circular economy standard BS8001 in practice.

Adrian Matthews, consultant at EFT Consult, said:

“We are delighted by the sheer number of companies across all sectors that have expressed an interest in supporting the creation of this draft standard. We believe it will make a big difference to the way in which businesses operate in the future and the health of this planet for current and future generations. This is about fighting climate change through the implementation of the circular economy while providing knowledgeable, insight and expertise in order to procure the aims and objectives of the Wellbeing Act.

“In that sense, this is a pivotal moment in terms of the evolution of the circular economy in the UK and companies’ understanding of what it means and what they can do to transition towards creating healthier, more cost-effective places to live, work and socialise. These initiatives set out to improve social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being, encouraging organisations to work better with people and communities and take a more joined-up systems-thinking approach.”