SGLS 02-2013: Cement and Concrete Products

SINGAPORE GREEN
LABELLING SCHEME
CERTIFICATION
GUIDE
Category 02:
Cement and Concrete Products


































Edition: 2
Date Published: DD MMM YYYY
Effective until: DD MMM YYYY

These criteria have been prepared specifically for the Singapore Green Label Scheme. The Singapore
Environment Council accepts no responsibility for any use by any party of information in the document in
any other context or for any other purpose.

SGLS 02-2013: Cement and Concrete Products


The Singapore Green Labelling Scheme (SGLS) was launched in May 1992 by the Ministry of the
Environment. It was handed over to the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) on 5 June
1999 and is currently fully owned by the SEC.

The Green Label aims to help the public identify environment-friendly products that meet certain
eco-standards specified by the scheme and seeks to encourage the level of eco-consumerism in
Singapore as well as to identify the growing demand for greener products in the market. The
scheme hopes to create a backlash effect, encouraging manufacturers to design and manufacture
with the environment in mind.

SEC is recognized as a member of the Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN), an association of
third-party, environmental performance recognition, certification and labelling organizations to
improve, promote, and develop the "ecolabelling" of products and services. The SGLS has been
successfully audited by the GEN as meeting ISO 14024 and ISO Guide 65 standards for the
GENICES accreditation in October 2011.

Green Label offers certification of a range of products in conformance with its standards. For
additional information on the SGLS or any of the SECs programmes, contact:




Singapore Green Labelling Scheme
1 Kay Siang Road #04-02
Singapore 248922
+65 6337 6062
greenlabel@sec.org.sg
www.sec.org.sg


3
SGLS 02-2013: Cement and Concrete Products

Table of Contents
I. Scope ........................................................................................................................................................................... 4
II. Rationale ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4
III. Definitions .............................................................................................................................................................. 4
IV. Green Label Certification Checklist ..................................................................................................................... 7
A. General product performance requirement .............................................................................................................. 7
B. Health and environment criteria ............................................................................................................................... 7
C. Life cycle considerations ........................................................................................................................................ 10
D. Packaging and labeling requirements .................................................................................................................... 11
E. Use of the green label .............................................................................................................................................. 11
V. References ................................................................................................................................................................ 12




4
SGLS 02-2013: Cement and Concrete Products
I. Scope

This category establishes criteria to label cement and products made from cement and concrete
that utilize :
supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) for cement (please refer to page 8 and 9 for
the list of SCM)
concrete that utilize recycled aggregates (refer to page 10 for the list of recycled
aggregates)
concrete that utilize reused by product aggregate (refer to page 10 for the list of by
product aggregate).
II. Rationale
The cement manufacturing process involves two major activities. First activity is obtaining and preparing
raw materials (and fuels) and then followed by second activity to manufacturing clinker and finished
cement. The major environmental issue of concern today related to clinker manufacture is that of carbon
dioxide (CO
2
) emissions produce during the calcinations and gaseous emissions from burning of large
quantities of fuels resulting fuel combustions.

Some strategies to reduce CO
2
by cement industries can be achieved by installation of more fuel-efficient
kiln technologies, partial substitution of non-carbonate source of CO
2
in the kiln raw materials and partial
substitution of supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) additives, because SCM does not require
large amount of energy compare to clinker on the phase of cement production.

This Green Label is designed to support a continuing effort to improve and maintain environmental
quality by reducing energy and materials consumption to minimizing the impacts of pollution generated
by the production, use and disposal of cement and concrete products.
III. Definitions

Addition Finely divided material used in concrete in order to improve certain
properties or to achieve special properties. This category addresses two
types of inorganic additions:
- Nearly inert additions (type I)
- Pozzolanic or latent hydraulic additions (type II)
Admixture Material added during the mixing process of concrete in small quanitities
related to the mass of cement to modify the properties of fresh or hardened
concrete
Aggregates Granular mineral material suitable for use in concrete. Aggregates may
be natural, recycled from material previously used in construction or reused
by-product from by-products of industrial processes.
Cement Finely ground inorganic material which, when mixed with water, forms
a paste that sets and hardens by means of hydration reactions and
processes and which, after hardening, retains its strength and stability

5
SGLS 02-2013: Cement and Concrete Products
even under water.
Concrete Material formed by mixing cement, coarse and fine aggregate and
water, with or without the incorporation of admixtures and additions,
which develops its properties by hydration of the cement.
Copper Slag Copper slag is a by-product formed during the copper smelting process.
The molten copper forms at the bottom of the furnace while molten slag is
formed on top. The molten copper slag is then drained off and quenched
with water or left in the air to cool.
Fly Ash Fly ash is one of the residues generated in combustion, and comprises
the fine particles that rise with the flue gases. In an industrial context, fly
ash usually refers to ash produced during combustion of coal.
Ground Granulated
Blastfurnace Slag
(GGBS)
GGBS, also known as blastfurnace slag is obtained by quenching molten
iron slag (a by-product of iron and steel-making) from a blast furnace in
water or steam, to produce a glassy, granular product that is then dried and
ground into a fine powder.
Municipal Solid Waste
(MSW)

MSW, more commonly known as trash or garbage, consists of
everyday items we use and then throw away, such as produc packaging,
grass clippings, furniture, clothing, bottles, food scraps, newspapers,
appliances, paint, and batteries. This comes from our homes, schools,
hospitals, and businesses.
Precast Concrete Concrete product cast and cured in a place other than the final
location of use.
Ready Mixed Concrete
(RMC)

Concrete delivered in a fresh state by a person or body who is not
the user. For the purpose of this category, RMC also refers to
concrete produced off site by the user, and concrete produced onsite
but not by the user.
Recycled Aggregates
(RA)

Recycled aggregates are aggregates derived from the processing of
materials previously used in a product and/or in construction.
Examples include recycled concrete from construction and demolition
waste material (C&D), reclaimed aggregate from asphalt pavement
and scrap tyres.
Reused by-product
aggregates
Reused by-product aggregates are aggregates produced from by-
products of industrial processes. Examples include various aggregates
from iron and steel manufacturers.
Silica Fume It is an artificial pozzolana presented as a light-to-dark-gray-
ultrafine powder, produced in electric arc furnaces as a byproduct of
the production of elemental silicon or alloys containing silicon; also
known as condensed silica fume and microsilica.
Supplementary
Cementitious Materials
Materials are generally byproduct from other processes or natural
materials that can be used as cement additive. (e.g. pozzolans, ground

6
SGLS 02-2013: Cement and Concrete Products
(SCM) granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS), fly ash)
Washed Copper Slag
(WCS)

Washed copper slag is the recycled product obtained from the
treatment of used/spent copper slag, which is generated by the use of
copper slag for grit blasting in local shipyards and/or refineries

7
SGLS 02-2013: Cement and Concrete Products
IV. Green Label Certification Checklist

A. General product performance requirement
Criteria Supporting Documents
1. Fit for use
As a prerequisite to apply for the Green Label, the product must first be
shown to be of a minimum quality and able to perform its intended purpose.
It is recommended that the product meets the performance requirements of
relevant Singapore Standards SS 26, ASTM C1157, or EN 206-1.


All relevant third party
laboratory test reports



B. Health and environment criteria
2. Environmental and Occupational Safety, Health and Quality management
guidelines

The company is required to have ISO (or equivalent) environmental,
occupational safety and health and quality management systems in place

Emissions to the air and water during the production process shall be
controlled within the environment regulation limits set by the NEA in the
Code of Practice on Pollution Control (2000).

Overseas or local manufacturing facilities producing the products seeking
endorsement under the Singapore Green Labelling Scheme shall comply
with the relevant local legislation.

Copy of valid ISO 14001,
OHSAS 18000 and
ISO9001 (or equivalent)
management
certifications,
or
environmental
management guidelines
and a declaration that the
company is in the process
of obtaining the relevant
certifications within 2
years
and
Documentation on the
manufacturing process
describing production
methods and materials
used.















3. Standard Leaching Test

All cement and concrete products shall undergo a standard leaching test, which
tests for heavy metals and some organic compounds of environmental concern,
according to NEA guidelines.

Third party laboratory test
reports according to the
US EPA 1311 test
Toxicity Characteristic
Leaching Procedure
(TCLP)




8
SGLS 02-2013: Cement and Concrete Products

4. Cement
The product shall contain at least one of the following approved SCM containing the
minimum percentage composition as specified below :

Criteria I: municipal Solid Waste (MSW) incineration fly ash 10% or more by mass of the
total design of the final product. It sets out with reference to BCA Green Mark for New Non-
Residential Building Version NRB/4.1 and New Residential Version RB/4.1

Criteria II: Family of common cements* It sets out with reference to BS EN 197-1 2011, the
family of common cements.
Supporting documentation and
a declaration from the CEO or
relevant authorized personnel
of the company.







Main
Types Type of Cement GGBS Silica fume Pazzolana Fly ash Burnt shale Limestone

natural natural
calcined
Siliceous calcareous L LL



CEM II

Portland slag cement
CEM II/A-S 6-20 - - - - - - - -
CEM II/B-S 21-35 - - - - - - - -
Portland silica fume
cement CEM II/A-D - 6-10 - - - - - - -

Portland pozzolana
cement
CEM II/A-P - - 6-20 - - - - - -
CEM II/B-P - - 21-35 - - - - - -
CEM II/A-Q - - - 6-20 - - - - -
CEM II/B-Q - - - 21-35 - - - - -

Portland fly ash
cement
CEM II/A-V - - - - 6-20 - - - -
CEM II/B-V - - - - 21-35 - - - -
CEM II/A-W - - - - - 6-20 - - -
CEM II/B-W - - - - - 21-35 - - -
Portland burnt shale
cement
CEM II/A-T - - - - - - 6-20 - -
CEM II/B-T - - - - - - 21-35 - -


9
SGLS 02-2013: Cement and Concrete Products

Main
Types
Type of Cement GGBS Silica
fume
Pazzolana Fly ash Burnt
shale
Limestone
natural natural
calcined
Siliceous calcareous L LL



CEM II

Portland
limestone
cement
CEM II/A-L - - - - - - 6-20 -
CEM II/B-L - - - - - - - 21-35 -
CEM II/A-LL - - - - - - - - 6-20
CEM II/B-LL - - - - - - - - 21-35
Portland
composite
cement
CEM II A-M -------------------------------------------------------------------- 12-20 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CEM II B-M -------------------------------------------------------------------- 21-35 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

CEM III

Blast furnace
cement
CEM III/A 36-65 - - - - - - - -
CEM III/B 66-80 - - - - - - - -
CEM III/C 81-95 - - - - - - - -
CEM IV
Pozzolanic
cement
CEM IV/A - ----------------------------- 11-35 --------------------------------- - - -
CEM IV/B - ----------------------------- 36-55 --------------------------------- - - -
CEM V
Composite
cement
CEM V/A - - -------------- 18-30 ---------------- - - -
CEM V/B - - -------------- 31-49 ---------------- - - - -
* Portland cement (CEM I) is excluded intentionally as it is 95-100% clinker in nature.

10
SGLS 02-2013: Cement and Concrete Products
5. Concrete - Precast Concrete, Ready Mixed Concrete (RMC) and Non-Concrete Products

The final product must contain at least one of the following waste,
recycled and or by product materials composition.

Qualifying Content to Replace Aggregates:
Recycled Aggregate* : Reused by-product* :
Washed Copper Slag (>10%)** Air-cooled Blast Furnace Slag
Recycled Concrete Aggregate Granulated Blast Furnace Slag
Recycled Concrete and
Masonry
Electric Arc Furnace Slag
Steel Furnace Slag
Fly Ash
Furnace Bottom Ash
Coal Washery Reject

Reclaimed Aggregate
Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement
Glass Cullet
Scrap Tyres
Used Foundry Sand or Spent
Foundry Sand


*Publication made by Cement Concrete & Aggregate Australia for their report on Use of Recycled
Aggregates in Construction.
**Note: Percentage minimum and maximum limits are derived from BCA: Green Mark for New
Non- Residential Buildings Version NRB/ 4.1 and New Residential Version RB/ 4.1. There is no
percentage set up for other aggregate replacement in this version of green labeling.


Supporting
documentation detailing
% of aggregate
replacement usage in the
concrete and a
declaration from the
CEO or relevant
authorized personnel of
the company.



C. Life cycle considerations

6. Storage of Raw Materials
The cement manufacturer must have policies and procedure
covering appropriate storage and handling of hazardous raw
materials. The policies and procedure should ensure the hazardous
substance is located and managed to prevent contamination of
surface water or land.
Statement by the
company and signed by
CEO or authorized
representative about
conformance of the
policies and procedure.


7. Raw Material Processing
The fuel used within the kiln shall consist of alternative fuels
Statement from the
company and
documentation of %
alternative fuel used
annually, signed by CEO
or authorized
representative.



11
SGLS 02-2013: Cement and Concrete Products
8. Waste Management
The cement manufacturer must have effective waste management
policies and procedure and/or a waste management programs
covering manufacturing operations.
Statement by the
company and signed by
CEO or authorized
representative describing
the waste management
policies, procedure and
programs.



D. Packaging and labeling requirements
9. Packaging
Limit to minimum 10% recovered material content (Exceptions:
cases where the label will be recycled through the manufacturers
take-back program).


Relevant documentation
on packaging preparation
and material sources



10. Labeling
The label on the product should include the following
information, specific to the product or product type and also :
Cement or cement mixture packaging must labelled or give
hazard statement May cause and allergic skin reaction.
Recommendation to consult local authorities for disposal or
recycling advice. If the manufacturer provides a take-back
program, the label shall include instructions on how the
product and packaging can be returned.


A sample of the product
packaging



E. Use of the green label
11. Rules governing display of the Green Label
The green label may appear on the wholesale and retail packaging
for the product, provided that the products meets the requirements in
this specification and in the Licence Conditions

A sample of the product
packaging








12
SGLS 02-2013: Cement and Concrete Products


V. References

BCA: Green Mark for New Non-Residential Buildings Version NRB/ 4.1
BCA: Green Mark for New Residential Version RB/ 4.1
BS EN 197-1 : 2011 Cement Part 1: Composition, specifications and conformity criteria for
common cements
US EPA 1311 test Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP)
NEA Code of Practice on Pollution Control (2000 edition) (with amendments in Feb 2001, Jun 2002
and Feb 2004)
The New Zealand Ecolabelling Trust, Licence Criteria for Paints (EC-42-10)
Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia, Use of Recycled Aggregates in Construction, May 2008