The SustainBuild Mark Certification is a product certification program owned and managed by the Construction Research Institute of Malaysia (CREAM). It establishes standardized sustainable product certification criteria for various construction product categories to promote good environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. SustainBuild Mark is Malaysia first ESG certification for construction products introduced by CREAM to promote sustainable construction. This certification evaluates products based on the ESG criteria, ensuring they meet sustainability standards.
CREAM is a research institute under the Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB) and was established in 2004 to serve as the research arm of CIDB that drives quality, innovation, technology and skills towards achieving sustainability in the construction industry. This program was developed to promote sustainable practices among manufacturers and importers in the construction industry while ensuring products meet ESG standards and make a positive environmental impact.
The certification is open to manufacturers or importers of construction products. Resellers, distributors, and other third parties are not eligible to apply.
The certification covers construction products that influence the environmental footprint of buildings during construction or operation, including materials like cement, steel, glass, HVAC systems, and renewable energy solutions. A detailed list can be found in Appendix B of the scheme.
SustainBuild Mark does not certify the whole company as we only certify the products made (as the manufacturer) or provided (as the importer) by the company.
The SIRIM Eco-Labelling Scheme focuses solely on eco-product certification, whereas SustainBuild Mark takes a holistic approach, evaluating all ESG aspects. This broader evaluation offers a comprehensive and accessible solution for assessing product sustainability.
• Recognition for adopting good ESG practices.
• Improved marketability of certified products.
• Contribution to sustainability goals in the Malaysian construction sector.
• Inclusion in the SustainBuild Mark website directory for certified products.
The SustainBuild Mark is a voluntary scheme. It is a great asset and marketing tool for products. SustainBuild Mark certified products are more conscious as it takes into account the manufacturer’s environmental, social, and governance and not only focus on the eco-products. The labels allows you to gain an edge over your competitors.
This certification goes beyond standard environmental labeling by requiring compliance with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. The environmental claims of a product are declared in accordance with MS ISO 14021:2017 Environmental labels and declarations – Self-declared environmental claims (Type II environmental labelling). Additionally, the certification references other standards and regulations, such as the Fourth Schedule Act 520 CIDB.
You may contact the secretariat by email or by phone at 03-2779 1479. You may also find the contact information on our Contact Us page.
Begin by registering your interest in the SustainBuild Mark website, stating your information, company and product details. Once your details have been submitted, the Administrator will provide a username with temporary password to your email which will allow you to proceed with the next step of attending the mandatory Management Representative (MR) Training.
Yes, applicants are required to nominate a management representative to complete the Management Representative (MR) Training, which includes ESG practices. This training involves an assessment, and upon successfully passing it, the representative will receive a certificate of completion. The certificate is valid for 36 months.
Applicants need to submit:
• A completed application form
• Documentation supporting ESG practices and environmental claims of the product, including policies and actions taken by the organization and proof of the environmental claims.
Each product must be applied for separately, even if marketed under the same brand but manufactured at different facilities. Applicants can apply for up to three environmental claims for each product.
Once a complete application is submitted, CREAM evaluates it, and a decision is typically communicated within 30 calendar days. What are the fees associated with certification?
The fees to attend the mandatory MR training is RM75 only. Once the applicant has passed the assessment, the applicant needs to pay a sum of amount starting from RM250 per product or application.
Yes, CREAM will conduct an onsite audit during the initial phase of application only.
The certification is valid for three years. Certificate holders must ensure ongoing compliance with the requirements.
Applicants must demonstrate compliance in areas such as:
• Environmental policies (e.g., carbon reduction, waste management).
• Social policies (e.g., human rights, occupational health and safety).
• Governance practices (e.g., regulatory compliance, quality control).
There are 15 claim categories, including reduced energy consumption, waste reduction, renewable materials, and lower carbon footprint. Refer to Appendix C for a full list.
If you do not see a standard that fits your product or service, please contact us. We will be happy to discuss your needs.
Claims must be quantified using ISO standards or industry-accepted methods, with detailed documentation of calculations and evidence. If applicable, third-party testing must be included.
Renewal applications should be submitted at least six months before expiry. If the certification lapses, the product must undergo a new application process.
Yes, a notification will be sent to your email before the expiry of your certificate. In the event Certificate Holder applies for certificate renewal after its expiry, such application shall be made in accordance with new application procedure. Certificate Holder is responsible for monitoring certificate expiry date and the timely submission of certificate renewal application.
Yes, certifications may be suspended or terminated for reasons such as regulatory violations, misleading use of the certification mark, or failure to meet ESG standards.
All of the requirements of the standard must be met. SustainBuild Mark standards are pass/fail. Your SustainBuild Mark’s Certification Reviewer will work with you collaboratively until all of the requirements are met for certification.
You can apply and work through part of the evaluation process, but some required information can be gathered only once the product is being manufactured/produced.
To ensure transparency, credibility, and the reliability of the SustainBuild Mark, it is not possible to certify an entire series under a single SustainBuild Mark certification. Each product must undergo individual assessment.
For further evaluation of your product series, please contact us directly.
Applicants can resubmit their application within 15 calendar days without additional charges. Beyond this period, a new application must be submitted.
Complaints must be documented and addressed by the certificate holder. Complaints can also be submitted directly to CREAM for further investigation.
Inform CREAM immediately if changes affect compliance, such as changes in company name, product description, or manufacturing location. Significant changes may require a new application.
SustainBuild Mark prioritizes confidentiality and has stringent protocols in place to ensure the security of sensitive information. Confidential information is handled in strict compliance with confidentiality agreements and is never shared without the explicit consent of the original party. CREAM has a proven track record of responsibly managing confidential information, reinforcing trust and integrity throughout the certification process.
You may find more information about this program form the scheme which can be found here.
