Green Star SA Certification is a formal process which involves a project using a Green Star SA rating tool to guide the design or construction process, during which a documentation-based submission will need to be collated as proof of this achievement.

What is a rating tool
Green Star SA rating tools
Project Certification
Technical Clarifications & CIRs
Products & Materials

Most rating tools offer two different certifications: "Design" and "As Built". A "Design" certification can be submitted for and awarded at the end of the design phase of the project. The intent is that the building can then be marketed as Green Star SA certified building, having demonstrated the green building strategies to be included in the building. At the end of construction, a project can submit for and be awarded "As Built" certification, certifying that all green building strategies were in fact incorporated into the final building. Design ratings expire 24 months after practical completion of construction, while As Built ratings do not expire.

1. Register the Project

The first step in having a building project Green Star SA certified is to register the project with the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) early in the design or construction process, depending on the certification rating pursued, Design or As Built respectively. This process registers the intent of a project to pursue certification.

2. Prepare Submission Documentation

As the design or construction of the project progresses, project teams gather documentation. Once all relevant documentation has been gathered, it is submitted to the GBCSA in one package.

3. Round One Assessment

The GBCSA commissions a panel of third-party Certified Assessors to validate that the documentation for all claimed credits is in adherence with all of the Compliance Requirements outlined in the Technical Manual for the relevant rating tool. At the completion of the first round, project teams receive a preliminary assessment of all credits with comments on areas needing further clarification.

4. Round Two Assessment

Project teams respond to the Round One comments by submitting additional clarifying documentation. The Assessment Panel then reviews this additional documentation.

5. Certified Rating Awarded

After the second round, project teams are notified of their score based on the recommendation of the Assessment Panel and, if applicable, on the innovation credit awarded by the Green Building Council of South Africa. If a Certified Rating is awarded, the project will receive a framed certificate, award letter, Marketing Kit and relevant Green Star SA logos. If the desired Certified Rating is not achieved, the project may, in limited circumstances, be eligible to Appeal.

Please note: The first rating tool, Green Star SA – Office, is scheduled for finalization in early November and the council will begin certifying buildings towards the end of 2008. Up until this point, the council will not be open for project registrations or certification submissions.

Green Star SA Certification recognises projects that demonstrate leadership in environmental building design and construction. Obtaining 4, 5 or 6 Star Green Star SA Certification will enable a project to:

Gain market recognition as a leader in the green building industry;
Achieve a competitive advantage by promoting the building as environmentally and workplace friendly;
Validate achievement through third party assessment;
Have the right to promote a Green Star SA rating and use a Green Star SA certified logo

Registering a building project with the Green Building Council of South Africa declares the intent to pursue certification under a specific rating tool and is the first step in the certification process. Projects should register as soon as possible during the project, though there is no deadline during the design or construction process.

The Green Star SA program is not currently accepting project registrations and will begin to do so in December 2008.

Please Note: Registering a project simply declares the intent to pursue certification and should not be confused with actual project certification that is awarded by the GBCSA once a project has demonstrated achievement of a certain rating level.

Once the Green Star SA program is open for registration, all registered projects will be listed in this section, along with all officially certified projects.