The percentage of compliant products is calculated by volume (paints, adhesives and sealants) and area (carpets), not its cost. For example, at least 95% of all internally applied paints, adhesives, sealants (by volume) or carpets (by area) meet the total specified VOC limits. Note: Projects do not need to provide any cost related evidence.

The process outlined below replaces a previous TC, with a requirement for all concrete mixes to have a product specific EPD, or have a carbon footprint within 5% and cement content within 0.5% of an existing EPD.

• A pre-verified tool for generating LCA self-declarations / Environmental Data Sheets such as the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) tool, may be used. The tool must be pre-verified with the EPD international system.
• A Companies’ internal quality management systems provides a first check to ensure that primary data input into the GCCA tool match mix designs. Product data sheet to be signed off by chartered engineer or equivalent to confirm mix design and properties.
• The Concrete NZ Readymix Concrete Plant Audit Scheme (NZPAS) samples annually a proportion of company Environmental Data Sheets, and reports findings to the NZGBC. Note that the NZPAS is in turn audited by Bureau Veritas, an internationally recognised auditing firm.
• The self-declared Environmental Data Sheet bearing the GCCA logo (or other pre-verified tool), is submitted as part of the Green Star submission. 
• Any producer of an Environmental Data Sheet has to demonstrate that they have received training in the use of the calculator. 
• The NZGBC may undertake spot audits of the verification system.

Note that any product using the above method will receive a weighting score of 0.5 in the Sustainable Products credit, equivalent to that of an Industry wide EPD. 

The current LCA credit requires both LCA producers and peer reviewers to be LCA practitioners who should be either:

1. An individual or organisation who have produced, co-produced and/or independently peer reviewed at least five LCA studies in the past three years; or
2. A person who is qualified as an “LCA Certified Practitioner” (LCACP) through ALCAS / LCANZ / ACLCA.

Since many high quality LCA software options are available in the NZ market, many LCAs are being created using such software by a person who is not an LCA practitioner. In this case, as long as the peer review is conducted by a person that fulfils the above requirements, it will be deemed compliant with this requirement.

Note that if the project land has been planned for high density development by central or local governments, the project is still considered to be compliant with the conditional requirement as the project itself is not changing, transforming, or converting its land-use and primary production purposed.

Projects can use a maintenance factor as calculated using AS/NZS 1680, since AS/NZS 1680 is considered a best-practice lighting design methodology, and that the generic 0.8 maintenance factor is not necessarily relevant or beneficial for all projects and lighting designs.  

Project teams may calculate the maintenance factor for their luminaries according to this standard and should provide a summary/justification of these calculations and inputs for assessment.  The project team should include supporting documents for the inputs which may include: 

• Luminaire specific factors such as Lamp Lumen Maintenance Factor, Lamp Survival Factor, IP rating, luminaire type; 
• Reference to the relevant data from AS/NZS1680; 
• Description of the use of the space and its atmospheric impact (clean, dirty, etc); and 
• The planned luminaire cleaning maintenance programme or the inclusion of cleaning requirements within the tenants fit-out guide.   

Where inputs for the calculation of the maintenance factor are uncertain then projects must continue to use the 0.8 maintenance factor.  Projects may also choose to continue to use the 0.8 maintenance factor if they wish.

The structural element volume approach used in Green Star legacy rating tools may be used in place of the gross building volume approach to demonstrate compliance to 19B.3.2 Structure Reuse for projects registered under Design & As Built v1.0

The current clause regarding applicable climate zones for Prescriptive Thermal Comfort Requirements refers to NCC (the Australian Building Code) Climate Zones.

As a clarification for New Zealand projects, the following amended clause will replace the original clause on page 148 for Design and As Built and page 126 for Interiors.

“This option can be applied in climate zones 1-3, as identified on the climate zone map in NZS 4243.1:2007 Figure A1 – Climate Zones, except for the following regions which are required to demonstrate compliance via thermal modelling:

• The central plateau of the North Island

• Queenstown Lakes, Mackenzie, Western Waitaki, Central Otago

We are issuing this clarification to ensure projects follow the intent of the GHG credit for industrial projects. As stated in GHG Emissions Calculation Guide HVAC Simulation Parameters Table “The intent of this requirement is that the Reference Project generally achieves the same level of service as the Proposed Project.”   

There is a potential misinterpretation of the Calculation guide for the “HVAC Simulation Parameters” (table 26) which increases the Reference building energy consumption unfairly. 

To clarify the Reference project must achieve the same space temperature conditions as the proposed project for greater than 98% of occupied hours. Alternatively, the analysis can be undertaken on the basis of both the Proposed and Reference project achieving a PMV of between -1 and 1 for 98% of occupied hours across 95% of the floor area.  

In addition, the “Reference project HVAC systems” section (14.4.2) defines system coverage and zoning of the Reference building and this is to be the same as the Proposed Building. This is further reinforced through a requirement for the same operating profiles. 

Note: Even if a simulation set point of 18-26°C is used, the Reference project HVAC system would still need to be sized in accordance with the HVAC System Design Parameters which must be based on the Proposed Project “room design temperature”. 

We strongly suggest Modellers read the GHG Emissions Calculation Guide in its entirety for a clear energy modelling report with the understanding that the intent of the GHG credit is to have a more energy efficient project compared to the industry norm. 

This TC is immediately effective for all projects using the GHG Emissions Calculation Guide irrespective of the project registration date.