The Certification Process
How the certification process works
A green certified project is a fit-out, building or precinct that has undergone a rigorous technical assessment and met robust benchmarks. GBCSA provides independent, trusted certification of projects using Green Star, Net Zero or EDGE certification rating systems.
The Certification Process
1
Decide which rating tool to use to certify your project with
2
Appoint an Accredited Professional (AP) who is qualified in your rating tool.
3
Register your project with GBCSA through our online platform.
4
Submit your documentation: Your AP will do this. Depending on the tool, submission stages and information requirements will vary.
5
Get your project certified: Our independent panel of sustainability experts will assess your submission and/or confirm certification.
6
Promote your achievement: Once certified you will receive your certificate and building plaque, and be ready to celebrate your achievement!
Who is
involved
Accredited Professional (AP)
for Green Star and Net Zero projects; Edge Expert and Edge Auditor for EDGE projects These individuals collate and submit the documents to GBCSA for review and certification.
GBCSA Case Manager
GBCSA will assign each project a dedicated GBCSA case manager to ensure a smooth process.
External Experts
GBCSA will appoint confidential independent external assessors, reviewers and moderators, specific to the project.
What does it cost?
Building green does not necessarily cost more, as research based on local industry data shows.
Getting your project rated as green typically involves these key cost areas:
Green Building consultant fees
These are the professional fees paid to the appointed green building consultants and Accredited Professionals (APs) or EDGE Experts and Auditors on your project. These individuals are external to GBCSA and provide guidance for the project to achieve certification. Their fees are negotiated between themselves and project owners, and are generally informed by project size, complexity and level of sustainability ambition. Their fees are not set by GBCSA.
GBCSA Registration fees
These are the fees paid to GBCSA to register and certify the project. These cover the costs for overall assessment, administration and plaques as well as the support services of our highly experienced GBCSA Technical Team for your project.
Capital costs associated with green initiatives
This relates to any capex associated with achieving a specific and targeted sustainability initiative. This is informed by the AP and EDGE Expert guidance, considering the cost benefit options available.
Member discounts on certification fees. GBCSA Organisation members benefit from discounted fees. Speak to your Accredited Professional, or reach out to us at GBCSA for more.
Green need not cost more, and can offer so much more value.
Our Cost of Green research with University of Pretoria and ASAQS has demonstrated that a cost premium for a best practise building can be less than 0,5%.
A profitable path forward for businesses and the planet
The annual MSCI Green Property Index demonstrates that certified green offices deliver a better return on investment, confirming that going green is good for business and the planet.
How long does it take?
The duration of the certification period can vary depending on the specific tool being used and other factors. All projects include Round 1 and Round 2 Assessments. Certification often follows the development timeline of the project or fit-out.
In general, the duration of the certification period is informed by:
This is done by the project AP or Edge Expert. This can vary depending on the rating tool being used, the desired targets and the level of team support.
This is the time taken for GBCSA to process the Round 1 assessment, and provide feedback to the team. This is a fixed time period, as per the table below.
The project team then needs to respond to the Round 1 feedback. This timeframe can vary, informed by the quality of the submission and feedback.
This is the time taken for GBCSA to process the Round 2 submission, and provide a final certification ruling to the team. This is a fixed time period, as per the table below.
| Certification system | Round 1 Assessment duration | Round 2 Assessment duration |
|---|---|---|
| Green Star | 7 weeks | 5 weeks |
| Net Zero | 7 weeks | 5 weeks |
| EWP | 4 weeks | 3 weeks |
| EDGE | 4 weeks | 3 weeks |
