Environmental performance
This page provides a concise overview of the most important certificates, declarations, and platforms relevant to our products, offering clear insight into exactly what each recognition entails.
Sustainable construction requires clear and reliable information. That is why we present Carbstone’s performance not only in words, but also through recognized declarations, certificates, databases, and digital platforms.
Our certificates, declarations, and platforms explained
ATG
ATG stands for Technical Approval with Certification and is a voluntary quality label in the Belgian construction sector, issued by BUtgB-UBAtc. It confirms that innovative products and building systems are suitable for their intended application, comply with applicable regulations, and can be used safely.
EPD
EPD stands for Environmental Product Declaration and is a science-based document that maps the environmental impact of a product throughout its entire life cycle. This includes raw materials, production, transport, use, and end-of-life. For building materials, an EPD enables architects and contractors to make informed and data-driven product comparisons based on independently verified sustainability data. In Belgium, this system exists in the form of the B-EPD (Belgian Environmental Product Declaration), based on the European standard EN 15804 and therefore also usable internationally. A B-EPD is only valid once it has been registered at www.b-epd.be.
TOTEM
TOTEM stands for Tool to Optimise the Total Environmental impact of Materials. It is a Belgian assessment tool developed by the three regions to quantify and reduce the environmental impact of buildings. The tool is jointly managed by OVAM, Brussels Environment, and the Walloon Government Department. Our B-EPD certifications can be found on this platform.
Greenworks
Greenworks is a Dutch sustainability label for construction products. It identifies materials that meet established environmental performance criteria based on life cycle assessment data and supports instruments such as GPR Gebouw and BREEAM-NL. Products are assessed on multiple sustainability indicators, including raw materials, production impact, and circularity, and only receive the Greenworks label when they meet the required threshold values.
Greenworks is part of the BMN Group and is a sustainability label for construction products, supported by initiatives such as the Greenworks Academy, which helps professionals understand and apply the principles of sustainable construction in practice.
Our Carbstone products can be found via the Greenworks website by searching for “Carbstone” in the search bar.
KIWA certificate (NL BSB®)
The NL BSB® certification, issued by KIWA, confirms that Carbstone products comply with Dutch environmental requirements applicable to building materials. The certification specifically assesses the composition of the material and the leaching of substances via leaching tests, in accordance with current Dutch regulations on soil quality. This certification therefore provides independent confirmation of Carbstone’s environmental quality.
KOMO
KOMO is a Dutch quality label for construction products and building systems. The KOMO product certificate for Carbstone building blocks and masonry stones based on a CO₂-activated binder was issued by Kiwa. It confirms that the product meets the technical specifications laid down in the certificate, as well as the requirements of the applicable assessment directive. Compliance with both the quality system and product properties is monitored through regular periodic assessments.
Madaster
Madaster is a digital materials passport platform for circular construction that registers and manages material data of buildings. This allows materials to be documented and tracked throughout their entire life cycle, including their reuse potential, residual value, composition, origin, and CO₂ impact. Currently, only Masterbloc’s Carbstone products are included on the Madaster platform. This ensures transparent project insight and enables comparison, as projects in which Carbstone is used are registered on the platform and visible on a map, supporting material tracking and reuse.
NMD
NMD stands for National Environmental Database (Nationale Milieudatabase). This is a Dutch database that uses standardized environmental data to calculate the environmental performance of construction projects. The NMD is managed by Stichting NMD, an independent foundation responsible for the maintenance and further development of the database.
Why are all these recognitions important?
Each certificate, platform, or database has its own role. Some demonstrate the environmental impact of Carbstone, such as EPD, KIWA (NL BSB), and NMD. Others support technical reliability, such as ATG and KOMO. Platforms like Madaster, Totem, and Greenworks help make the circular value of materials visible by digitally registering materials and tracking them throughout their life cycle.
Together, these instruments confirm that Carbstone is a building material with demonstrable and comparable performance that can be applied in real-world projects, supporting transparent decision-making and reliable assessment during the design, specification, and execution phases.
The result: a material that delivers exceptional environmental performance without compromising on technical strength.