Green Mark Scheme (GMS)
About the Program
Notes for Applicants
The applicant has to submit one application only for all products that are evaluated under one set of Product Environmental Criteria.
Upon request from CIOB or the Advisory/ Technical Committee or authorised agent, the applicant has to arrange the necessary random sample check of the product in application and/or on-site assessment.
The Regulations governing the CIOB-GMS and use of the CIOB-GMS Label may be obtained from CIOB and they are subject to revisions when necessary.
Any questions on the use of the CIOB-GMS label should be directed to CIOB.
The decision of CIOB in certifying a product/ material is subject to appeal by an independent committee comprising of at least 3 persons who have knowledge about the certification and at least one of the members shall have the technical knowledge of the manufacturing concerned. Also, the independent committee shall be independent to those making the original decision and shall have no conflict of interest with the investigating results.
The applicant can further appeal to the Council of the CIOB if aggrieved by the decision of the independent committee.
The decision of the CIOB Council will be final.
Product assessment and approval
Upon receipt of an application with associated supporting documents, CIOB will conduct a product assessment based on the pre-defined product environmental criteria for the product category concerned. The environmental features of the product as claimed will be verified. The assessment consists primarily of a detailed review of the supporting documents, and where necessary, staff interviews and site visits. The assessors may also collect information on the manufacturing process directly from the manufacturers.
In the course of product assessment, CIOB may, when necessary, invite experts, scholars and other relevant professionals and/or organisation representatives to assist in the product assessment, and provide professional judgement and technical recommendations as appropriate.
In some circumstances where analytical testing is necessary for product assessment purpose, the applicant will need to provide the testing reports or will be referred to qualified testing laboratories for the requisite analyses.
After the product assessment, CIOB will recommend to approve or disapprove the application. The Advisory Committee will be consulted prior to endorsement of the recommendation. Whenever deemed necessary, CIOB or the Advisory Committee may invite representatives from the applicant organisation and/or other relevant parties for further discussion/clarification. Under normal circumstances, applicants will be notified of application results within two months upon receipt of all necessary information from the applicant.
In case the submitted documents are found to be insufficient, CIOB will notify the applicant to make up and/or re-submit the required documents within one month. Should the applicant fail to do so, the application will be disapproved.
CIOB-GMS Label Approval and Validity
For an approved application, CIOB will sign a licensing contract with the applicant, giving the latter permission to use the CIOB-GMS label. The contract will contain details of:
- The licensee
- The product that complies with the environmental criteria and is approved to bear the CIOB-GMS label
- The validity period; and
- confirmation that the applicant is bound by and will adhere to the Regulations and any specific terms and conditions governing the licensee’s display and use of the CIOB-GMS label.
On signing the contract by the licensee, CIOB will issue a certificate on the right to use the CIOB-GMS label. The certificate is normally valid for three years. The licensee may apply for renewal at least 3 months before expiry of the license.
Compliance Monitoring
During the license validity period, CIOB or authorized agent may from time to time carry out sample checks and/ or site visits without prior notice to the licensee. This aims to ensure that the relevant product environmental criteria and licensing conditions have been observed at all times. In the event that the licensee is found to have failed to comply with the criteria/ conditions, CIOB will demand proper rectification work to be completed within s specified time frame. Should the licensee be unable to rectify the situation, the licensing contract will be terminated and the certificate will be revoked.
Product Testing
Please note that tests contained in Laboratory Reports submitted by the applicant under the requirement of CIOB-GMS have to be performed within 3 years from the date of application. The applicants may be required to re-perform all of the test(s) if the laboratory reports have expired and/or there are significant revisions to the CIOB-GMS product criteria.
List of CIOB accredited testing laboratories
CIOB recognizes the following testing laboratories in Sri Lanka:
- Sri Lanka Standards Institute, 17, Victorai Place, Elvitigala Mawatha, Colombo 08
- SGS Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., No. 48, James Peiris Mawatha, Colombo 02
- Industrial Technology Institute, 120/4A, Wijerama Mw., Colombo 07
- Bamber & Bruce (Pvt.) Ltd. 22/A, Vijaya Kumaratunga Mawatha, Colombo 05
Modification of Existing Products
When an existing product is modified after obtaining the CIOB-GMS Label, the applicant will notify CIOB in respect of the modification and a new application may be required depending upon the type and extent of modification being made.