Guidance

Sustainable procurement: the GBS for construction projects and buildings

Official Government Buying Standards (GBS) for construction/refurbishment projects and products: heating, lighting, taps, paint, timber etc.

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

GBS for new-build construction and major refurbishments

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GBS for air conditioning units

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GBS for central heating systems

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GBS for combined heat and power (CHP) systems

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GBS for condensing units

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GBS for domestic gas boilers

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GBS for lamps

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GBS for lighting control gear

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GBS for lighting systems

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GBS for non-domestic boilers

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GBS for paints and varnishes

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GBS for rainwater harvesting equipment

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GBS for showers, taps, toilets and urinals

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GBS for vehicle wash water reclaim units

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GBS for water-efficient industrial cleaners

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GBS for windows

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GBS for wood products

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Details

All government departments and their related organisations must make sure that they meet the minimum mandatory Government Buying Standards (GBS) standards when buying goods and services. We also encourage the wider public sector to specify the minimum mandatory standards in tenders.

We encourage everyone to meet the best practice standards, which go further than the mandatory standards.

The product specifications set out in the Government Buying Standards are aimed primarily at public sector organisations procuring goods or services. However, any organisation concerned about sustainable procurement may choose to follow them or to specify them in tenders.

Published 1 January 2012
Last updated 3 December 2015 + show all updates
  1. Minor amendments to criteria where market availability of better performing products and/or standards and labelling have changed.

  2. First published.