ZKG (Znak Kakovosti v Graditeljstvu) –
Quality Mark in Civil Engineering
http://www.gi-zrmk.si/index2.htm
http://gcs.gi-zrmk.si/8-znak/gcf_v08.htm
Relevance
National
Target
“National quality mark in Civil Engineering” was developed for building products and services, and it is used for voluntary quality certification of energy efficient windows since 1997.
The label is awarded to the products used in buildings and in civil engineering and to the related services. The labelling scheme is limited to Slovenian products, the criteria are developed by the independent experts from the particular domain.
Product/service group
In the period 1997 - 2003 the quality criteria for 12 fields have been developed:
Energy efficient windows
Internal doors
Brick for walls
Service – supply of gas boilers
Solar collectors for hot water preparation
Energy efficient water heaters and storage
Concrete and reinforced concrete sewage systems
Roof tiles
Concrete tiles for outdoor floor
Natural stone
Service – restoration of heritage buildings
Plants for production of concrete, asphalt and gravel separations
Awarding Institution & Control mechanisms
The label is issued by the Board of the national project “Quality mark in civil engineering”, which is composed of the representatives of relevant ministries, the Chamber of economy and ZRMK, Building and Civil Engineering Institute. The proper use of the label is controlled by ZRMK Building and Civil Engineering Institute.
Criteria
The criteria are developed by the independent experts on the particular domain. An independent commission evaluates the application in the system of points. Only the applicants in the highest 15% of points are awarded the quality sign. A public call is issued on a yearly basis, the label is awarded for the period of three years with the option of prolongation upon request and proving the permanent quality of the product and service.
The evaluation scheme covers different criteria pondered according to their relevance to Slovenian situation. The evaluated criteria are: measurable technical criteria (valid certificates, testing according to EU standards for products, independent laboratories), not measurable technical criteria (convenience of technical solution, functionality of the product), environmental criteria, efficiency and quality of production processes (on site evaluation), satisfaction of buyers, fulfilment of the company’s business plan, global impact on the society and environment.
Relevance on the market
The Quality Mark in Civil Engineering (ZKG) is a voluntary quality certification label, used in Slovenia since 1997. It is a source of information for consumer when searching for the product of a high quality level.
Between 1997 and 2003 77 labels were awarded to the products and services in 12 fields of civil engineering.
Since 1998 the ZKG label for energy efficient windows was recognised as a proof of energy efficient product in the national scheme of financial support to households replacing old windows with energy efficient ones. More then 20 types of windows on the Slovenian market were awarded the ZKG label.
The ZKG label is well known and respected on the Slovenian market.
