23 Sep 2026
GBCA's Responsible Products Framework was released as part of our Green Star Future Focus program in 2020. Since then, it has evolved into the Responsible Products Program and includes the Responsible Products Score Checker. As our responsible products team comes closer to sharing the next iteration of the framework, we spoke to Katherine Featherstone, Senior Manager, Products and Materials, about what the refresh means for the score checker.
1. What is the score checker for and how does it fit into the Responsible Products Program?
The score checker enables users to search for different standards and look at how they score against the Responsible Products Guidelines. By understanding not just the RPV (Responsible Products Value) of the standard, but how the standard achieved points, project teams can choose the right products for their projects that are aligned with their procurement strategies. Also, product manufacturers can select the standards that work best for them and combine multiple standards to improve their score, and their coverage across the Responsible Products Guidelines.
2. How have you worked with industry to develop the next version of the score checker?
The score checker has been developed by GBCA with our members. We’ve listened to feedback and added functionality that we thought might help users gain a better understanding of how products in the Responsible Products Database receive their scores. Helping drive greater transparency in the scoring has been a big reason for the changes we’ve made.
3. What will be different in the next version of the score checker, and what are the biggest improvements users can look forward to?
The new score checker will let users view and combine different standards to see whether they achieve Good or Best Practice against the Responsible Products Credits in each of the tools. They can also see which credits the standard, or combination of standards cover off in the Responsible Products Framework, and even if, by selecting certain products, they might be able to deliver on their organisation’s wider sustainability or procurement strategies.
4. The score checker isn’t the only element of the program being updated, what else have you been up to?
You're right! The score checker is one of several things underway. We're also developing Version B of the Responsible Products Framework. Version A, released in October 2024, set out the criteria product certification standards were scored against to that point. We began Version B immediately, responding to shifting local and international drivers and to feedback since the Program launched in 2020. After two rounds of industry consultation, it's due for release next year. Its release will signal our expectations for products and materials in the built environment for the next decade, aligned with important international frameworks.
5. The score checker has been widely tested by industry, so we also asked those who use it about their experience. Here are some of the comments we received:
“The Responsible Products Scorechecker was an invaluable tool for my team to access when deciding the correct pathways to maximise our certifications to contribute to the Green Star Building certification process. It allowed me to compare similar schemes, identify points of difference and find the optimal value proposition for our brands.”
Luke Dutton, General Manager, Innovation & Solutions Development, CSR