SINGAPORE GREEN

LABELLING SCHEME
CERTIFICATION
GUIDE
Category 22:
Cement and Concrete Products

Edition: 2
Published date: 08 11 2013
Effective date: 08 12 2013
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 Category 22: 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

SGLS Category 22: 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. Labeling requirements (if applicable) .............................................................................................................. 11
E. Use of the green label ....................................................................................................................................... 11
V.

References ......................................................................................................................................................... 12

I.

Scope

This category establishes criteria to label cement and products made from cement and concrete
that utilizes:
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 (CO2) emissions produce during the calcinations and gaseous emissions from burning of large
quantities of fuels resulting fuel combustions.
Some strategies to reduce CO2 by cement industries can be achieved by installation of more fuel-efficient
kiln technologies, partial substitution of non-carbonate source of CO2 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
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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)

Granulated blast furnace slag is a vitrified material made by rapid cooling

of a slag melt of suitable composition, obtained by smelting iron ore in a
blast furnace, consisting of at least two-thirds by mass of glassy slag and
possessing hydraulic properties when suitably activated. Ground
granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) is fine powder made by grinding
granulated blast furnace slag.

Municipal Solid Waste

MSW, more commonly known as trash or garbage, consists of

everyday items we use and then throw away, such as product packaging,
grass clippings, furniture, clothing, bottles, food scraps, newspapers,
appliances, paint, and batteries. This comes from our homes, schools,
hospitals, and businesses.

(MSW)

Precast Concrete

Concrete product cast and cured in a place other than the final
location of use.

Ready Mixed Concrete

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.

(RMC)

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 byproducts 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-grayultrafine 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.
5

Supplementary
Cementitious Materials
(SCM)

Materials are generally byproduct from other processes or natural

materials that can be used as cement additive. (e.g. pozzolans, ground
granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS), fly ash)

Washed Copper Slag

Washed Copper Slag is a by-product washed to remove contaminated

rusts and paints through the several rounds of blasting copper slag in
the ship yards and/or refineries for grit blasting.

(WCS)

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, SS EN 197-1, SS EN 206-1, SS 544-1
and 2, SS EN 12620, SS EN 15167-1and 2, CT 06 SAC and other
international standards such as ASTM C1157.

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
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)

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 NonResidential Building Version NRB/4.1 and New Residential Version RB/4.1

Supporting documentation and

a declaration from the
executive officers or relevant
authorized personnel of the
company.

Criteria II: Family of common cements* It sets out with reference to the latest BS EN 197-1
2011, the family of common cements. We will also accept reference to SS EN 197-1 2008.
Main
Type of Cement

Types

GGBS

Silica fume

Pazzolana
natural

Fly ash

natural

Burnt shale

Siliceous

calcareous

Limestone
L

LL

calcined
CEM II/A-S

6-20

CEM II/B-S

21-35

CEM II/A-D

6-10

CEM II/A-P

6-20

CEM II/B-P

21-35

Portland pozzolana

CEM II/A-Q

6-20

cement

CEM II/B-Q

21-35

CEM II/A-V

6-20

CEM II/B-V

21-35

Portland fly ash

CEM II/A-W

6-20

cement

CEM II/B-W

21-35

Portland burnt shale

CEM II/A-T

6-20

cement

CEM II/B-T

21-35

Portland slag cement

Portland silica fume
cement

CEM II

Main

Type of Cement

GGBS

Types

Silica

Pazzolana

Fly ash

Burnt

fume

Limestone

shale
natural

natural

Siliceous

calcareous

LL

6-20

calcined
CEM II/A-L

Portland

CEM II/B-L

21-35

limestone

CEM II/A-LL

6-20

CEM II/B-LL

21-35

cement
CEM II

Portland

CEM II A-M

-------------------------------------------------------------------- 12-20 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

composite

CEM II B-M

-------------------------------------------------------------------- 21-35 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

cement

CEM III

CEM IV

CEM V

CEM III/A

36-65

Blast furnace

CEM III/B

66-80

cement

CEM III/C

81-95

Pozzolanic

CEM IV/A

----------------------------- 11-35 ---------------------------------

cement

CEM IV/B

----------------------------- 36-55 ---------------------------------

Composite

CEM V/A

-------------- 18-30 ----------------

cement

CEM V/B

-------------- 31-49 ----------------

* Portland cement (CEM I) is excluded intentionally as it is 95-100% clinker in nature.

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.

Supporting
documentation detailing
percentage of aggregate
Qualifying Content to Replace Aggregates:
replacement usage in the
concrete and a
Recycled Aggregate* :
Reused by-product* :
Washed Copper Slag ( >10%)**
Air-cooled Blast Furnace Slag declaration from the
Recycled Concrete Aggregate
Granulated Blast Furnace Slag executive officers or
( >10%)**
relevant authorized
personnel of the
Recycled Concrete and
Electric Arc Furnace Slag
Masonry
company.
Steel Furnace Slag
Reclaimed Aggregate
Fly Ash
Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement
Furnace Bottom Ash
Glass Cullet
Coal Washery Reject
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 limit of use is derived from BCA Green Mark Scheme which permits maximum
replacement of the product by mass in the coarse aggregate for structural building elements.

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
executive officers 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 signed by
executive officers or
authorized representative
documentation of
percentage of alternative
fuel used annually.

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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
executive officers or
authorized representative
describing the waste
management policies,
procedure and programs.

D. Labeling requirements (if applicable)

9.

Labeling
The label on the product should include the following
information, specific to the product or product type and also :

A sample of the product

packaging

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.

E. Use of the green label

10. Rules governing display of the Green Label
The Green Label Certification Mark may appear on the product,
A sample of the product
packaging, secondary documents, and promotional materials, only in packaging
conjunction with the certified product.
The Green Label Certification Mark shall not be used in conjunction
with any modifying terms, phrases, or graphic images that might
mislead consumers as to the extent or nature of the certification.

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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

SS EN 197-1: 2008 Specification for Cement, Part 1 Composition, specifications and conformity criteria
for common cements
SS EN 206-1: 2009 Specification for Concrete, Part 1 Specification, performance, production and
conformity
SS 544-1: 2009 Concrete Complementary Singapore Standard to SS EN 206-1, Part 1: Method of
specifying and guidance for the specifier
SS 544-2: 2009 Concrete Complementary Singapore Standard to SS EN 206-1, Part 2: Specification
for constituent materials and concrete
SS EN 12620: 2008 Specification for Aggregates for concrete, and its AMENDMENT No.1, May 2009
SS EN 15167-1: 2008 Specification for Ground granulated blast furnace slag for use in concrete, mortar
and grout, Part 1Definitions, specifications and conformity criteria
SS EN 15167-2: 2008 Specification for Ground granulated blast furnace slag for use in concrete, mortar
and grout, Part 2 Conformity evaluation

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