Johnsons Wellfield Quarries (JWQ) have become the first independent natural stone producers in the UK to achieve Building Research Establishment BES 6001 certification. At the same time as achieving this landmark, JWQ have also gained BS EN ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) certification.

The fact that JWQ have achieved the ‘very good’ rating within BES 6001 in combination with BS EN ISO 14001 means that all natural stone products produced by JWQ offer the maximum points/credits available within the Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) and BREEAM documents…thus offering engineers and architects the highest possible contribution to a buildings environmental profile.

JWQ are part of the Myers Group, which is a family owned group of companies providing products, services and materials to the construction industry. The companies are based in West, South and North Yorkshire with the Head Office situated in Huddersfield.

What BRE BES 6001 and BS EN ISO 14001 certification means to the industry, community and environment:

The BRE Environmental and Sustainability Standard BES 6001 for Responsible Sourcing of Construction Products is recognised worldwide as setting the framework for assessing, measuring and improving sustainability and environmental performance. This supplements the already recognised BS EN ISO 14001 certification which is an essential part of the jigsaw in terms of environmental management.

Both standards feed into the Code for Sustainable Homes and BREEAM documents which measure a buildings environmental performance. Mandatory levels of performance have now been set by government with regard to a buildings environmental profile. Therefore products without the appropriate BES 6001 and BS EN ISO 14001 certification will be excluded from use due to the fact that they do not contribute towards achieving this requirement. JWQ’s certification in this regard is:

• BS EN ISO 14001 Environmental Management Certification
  
• BRE BES 6001 Responsible Sourcing Certification
• Members of the Minerals Products Association
  

These standards require the company to set meaningful and measurable policies, metrics, targets and objectives covering a wide range of sustainable and environmental issues including:

• Energy use and greenhouse gas emissions
• Resource use
• Waste management
• Water extraction
• Lifecycle assessment
• Transport impacts
• Employment and skills
• Local communities

The commitment to sustainability and the environment:

The Myers group is committed to producing the most sustainable products available within each specific sector of its business, whilst working with its supply chain partners to actively develop and introduce responsible sourcing, quality, environment and health & safety management systems, certified standards and directives to enhance the built environment. The Myers Group is committed to continually improve its effectiveness in these areas and has and will continue to set itself meaningful and measurable objectives and targets to achieve this.

The Myers Group recognises that the responsible sourcing of materials provides a holistic approach to managing the social, environmental and economic impacts of a product from the sources of its raw materials, through its manufacture and delivery, and, ideally, through its use, re-use and recycling, until its final disposal.

Myers Group say they will continue to demonstrate their commitment to this through an ethos of supply chain management and product stewardship, together with a commitment to engage with stakeholders that may be affected by the impacts of our products.

Their commitment to the local community:

The Myers Group is committed to the local community. We recognise that our business can impact positively on local communities and the local economy and we are committed to ensuring that this local resource continues to offer support to the community, not only in terms of the products and services offered, but also in terms of local employment and economic growth.

The group is committed to sourcing its constituent materials from local suppliers wherever possible and will continue to openly engage with the community at all levels to ensure that we enhance the community and are not seen to detract from community life in any way.

Their ongoing community liaison activities include:

• Complaints management
• Liaison groups or council meetings
• Open days
• Public meetings
• Community Newsletters
• Social, recreational and educational activities involving the local community
• Other as appropriate

Details of their products and services can be found on their website at the address below: