Updated Version of Natural Stone Sustainability Standard Now Available
Contact:
Natural Stone Institute
(440) 250-9222
networking@naturalstoneinstitute.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oberlin, OH, February 24, 2022— A new version of the Natural Stone Sustainability Standard (ANSI/NSI 373 Sustainable Production of Natural Dimension Stone) has been published. The new version reflects the standard’s name change and makes the requirement for community approval of quarry reclamation plans optional.
The Natural Stone Sustainability Standard is a continuous improvement standard, which means that updates are required at least every five years to maintain relevance in an everchanging sustainability market. Initially published in 2014, the standard has had updates in 2017, 2019, and now 2022, proving a commitment to staying up to date with the latest needs of design teams with green building goals.
“Our team at NSF International looks forward to the growth and continued partnership with the Natural Stone Institute in support of the implementation of the Natural Stone Sustainability Standard," said Suzan Somo, Environmental Products Business Lead at NSF. "As the building industry continues to value sustainable products and practices, this standard provides essential opportunities to quarry operators and stone fabricators to assess their internal practices, drive efficiencies and attain preferred status in their markets.
Brittany Storm (MAPEI Corporation), chair of the Natural Stone Sustainability Standard joint committee, commented: “Working closely with the ANSI/NSI 373 Natural Dimension Stone Joint Committee, we are navigating a path through the everchanging tides of sustainability using the Natural Stone Sustainability Standard as our guide. More than just a way to comply with requirements, we hope updates to the Standard continue to give quarriers, producers, and distributors a roadmap to have greener processes/procedures.”
Companies ready to certify to the standard and design teams interested in learning more about the metrics of the standard and how to source sustainably produced natural stone for their projects are encouraged to visit www.naturalstoneinstitute.org/sustainability.
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About the Natural Stone Institute
The Natural Stone Institute is a trade association representing every aspect of the natural stone industry. The current membership exceeds 2,000 members in over 50 nations. The association offers a wide array of technical and training resources, professional development opportunities, regulatory advocacy, and networking events. Two prominent publications—the Dimension Stone Design Manual and Building Stone Magazine—raise awareness within the natural stone industry and in the design community for best practices and uses of natural stone. Learn more at www.naturalstoneinstitute.org.
About NSF International
NSF International is an independent, global organization that facilitates the development of standards, and tests and certifies products for the food, water, health sciences and consumer goods industries to minimize adverse health effects and protect the environment. Founded in 1944, NSF International is committed to protecting human health and safety worldwide. With operations in 180 countries, NSF International is a Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre on Food Safety, Water Quality, and Indoor Environment.
NSF’s National Center for Sustainability Standards facilitates the development of standards, product category rules (PCRs) and protocols in a consensus-based stakeholder process. Input from manufacturers, suppliers, regulatory agencies, environmental organizations, procurement professionals, product specifiers, customers and academia achieves acceptance and support for these market-changing standards.
