Following our refurbishment at the start of the year, combined with effective environmental operational practices, TFT’s London office in Holborn has now been certified by the International Organisation for Standardization’s (ISO) standard 14001:2015. This shows that our sustainability strategy for the fit-out work met environmental criteria aligning with TFT as a sustainable business, supporting the wellbeing of all in the London office and minimizing negative impact on the planet.

Specifying materials which avoid the use of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and enhancing natural daylight across the space is delivering immediate and long term gains. Extensive recycling and biophilia were also positively identified during the audit. Our Birmingham and Guildford offices have already achieved the ISO 14001 standard and we are progressing the plan to have all seven TFT offices certified.

The refurbishment was project managed in-house by Dan Cooper along with Senior Energy & Sustainability Consultant Giulia Mori, who guided the process to achieve the well-being and environmental outcomes we advise our clients to aim for every day.

Examples of elements considered within the refurb in order to meet the standard include:

• Use of paint with recycled content in meeting rooms.
• Materials and fabrics with sustainability credentials, such as Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), were been prioritised within the procurement process.
• 100% of the furniture procured contained low volatile organic compounds to support good indoor air quality in the office.

We caught up with Giulia to learn more about what the ISO certification means and why it's important for organisations and the environment.

What is ISO 14001:2015 and why would a firm seek to gain this certification?

This certification, which is valid for 12 months, specifies the requirements of an environmental management system (EMS) that an organisation can use to enhance its environmental performance. In particular, it recognises an organisation that manages its environmental responsibilities in a systematic manner in order to contribute to the environmental pillar of sustainability (the other two pillars are economy and society).

Why is this certification important?

For any company that advocates sustainability at the heart of its business model (like TFT!), achieving an ISO 14001 assures us and our clients that our processes:

• Are environmentally focused
• Provide information to build success over the long term
• Create options for contributing to sustainable development

Should everyone in the property industry be certified?

Yes - everyone should! Firms should at least require it from their supply chain (mostly for their main contractors) as they manage the performance of construction sites, which of course, have a consistent impact on the environment. ISO 14001:2015 is applicable to any organisation, regardless of size, type and nature, and applies to the environmental aspects of its activities, products and services.

Where does it sit against sustainability strategies?

We encounter ISO 14001 requirements for product manufacturers and main contractors in environmental-related standards such as BREEAM. It's also part of some clients' sustainability targets.

When firms select their supply chain according to their environmental management system, it demonstrates the sustainability and transparency of a certain manufacturing process or service, supporting the industry shift towards sustainable procurement and processes, as well as a circular economy.

This standard also contributes to following the UN’s sustainable development goals which are used by many of our clients as a tool for improving sustainability and equity within the design of their projects.

Click here to view TFT's Sustainability service lines and get in touch with one of our specialists today!