The Natural Stone Council (NSC) stands at the forefront of sustainable building practices, pioneering environmental stewardship in the stone industry through rigorous certification standards and innovative sustainability protocols. As the definitive authority on natural stone sustainability, the NSC transforms how we evaluate, select, and implement stone materials in modern construction. Their certification program, ANSI/NSC 373, has become the gold standard for verifying environmentally responsible stone production practices, addressing crucial factors from water conservation to workplace safety. For architects, builders, and environmentally conscious consumers, the NSC provides essential guidance in navigating the complex landscape of sustainable building materials. Through comprehensive research, stringent verification processes, and industry-wide collaboration, the NSC ensures that natural stone remains not just a timeless building material, but a responsible choice for our planet’s future. This commitment to excellence has positioned natural stone as a leading sustainable material in contemporary architecture and design.
What is the Natural Stone Council?
Core Mission and Values
The Natural Stone Council (NSC) stands as the cornerstone of sustainability and excellence in the natural stone industry. At its heart lies an unwavering commitment to promoting ethically sourced natural stone while establishing rigorous industry standards that benefit both the environment and stakeholders. The organization’s core values revolve around three fundamental principles: environmental stewardship, industry leadership, and educational advancement.
Through collaborative efforts with quarriers, fabricators, and industry experts, the NSC develops and maintains comprehensive sustainability standards that ensure responsible resource management and minimal environmental impact. Their dedication to transparency and continuous improvement has established benchmarks for sustainable practices across the natural stone industry.
The Council actively promotes innovation in sustainable quarrying and fabrication techniques while fostering knowledge sharing among industry professionals. This commitment extends to educating consumers and professionals about the environmental benefits and lasting value of natural stone, ensuring its role in sustainable construction for generations to come.
Industry Leadership
The Natural Stone Council stands at the forefront of establishing and maintaining industry standards that shape the future of natural stone use in construction and design. Through collaborative efforts with leading architects, builders, and industry experts, the NSC develops comprehensive guidelines that ensure quality, safety, and sustainability across the natural stone sector.
Their leadership extends beyond standard-setting to include innovative research initiatives and educational programs that advance industry knowledge and best practices. The NSC regularly updates its technical documentation and specifications to reflect the latest developments in stone extraction, fabrication, and installation methods.
By facilitating partnerships between quarriers, fabricators, and installers, the NSC creates a unified approach to quality control and environmental stewardship. Their guidance on sustainable practices has become the benchmark for responsible stone sourcing and processing, while their advocacy efforts have helped establish natural stone as a premier building material in sustainable construction projects nationwide.
NSC’s Environmental Certification Program
Certification Requirements
Companies seeking Natural Stone Council certification must meet rigorous standards across multiple categories. The certification process evaluates quarrying practices, manufacturing operations, and environmental management systems to ensure compliance with sustainable practices and environmental certifications standards.
Key requirements include documented water conservation measures, with facilities demonstrating at least 80% water recycling in their operations. Energy efficiency protocols must be implemented, showing a minimum 10% reduction in energy consumption over a two-year period. Companies must also maintain comprehensive waste management programs, including recycling initiatives for both processing waste and office materials.
Safety protocols are equally important, with mandatory implementation of fall protection systems, proper ventilation, and regular safety training for all employees. Environmental impact assessments must be conducted annually, including air quality monitoring and noise level measurements.
Documentation requirements include detailed records of:
• Monthly utility consumption
• Waste disposal and recycling rates
• Employee training programs
• Equipment maintenance schedules
• Environmental impact reports
Companies must undergo initial certification audits and maintain compliance through annual reviews. Recertification is required every three years to ensure continued adherence to standards and implementation of updated sustainable practices. All certification requirements are designed to promote responsible stone production while maintaining high-quality products.
Assessment Process
The Natural Stone Council’s certification process follows a comprehensive evaluation system designed to ensure the highest standards of sustainability and quality. The assessment begins with a detailed application submission, where companies must provide documentation of their operational practices, environmental policies, and quality control measures.
A qualified third-party assessor then conducts an initial review of the submitted materials, followed by an on-site facility inspection. During this visit, the assessor evaluates multiple aspects including water conservation practices, waste management procedures, and energy efficiency measures. They also examine the company’s commitment to worker safety and community engagement.
The evaluation criteria are based on a point system across nine categories, including water usage, transportation, site management, and corporate governance. Companies must achieve a minimum score in each category to qualify for certification. The assessment takes into consideration both mandatory requirements and optional credits that demonstrate additional environmental stewardship.
Following the evaluation, companies receive a detailed report outlining their performance and any areas requiring improvement. If successful, certification is awarded for a three-year period, during which annual surveillance audits ensure continued compliance. Companies falling short of requirements receive guidance on necessary improvements and may reapply after implementing recommended changes.
The entire process typically takes three to six months, depending on the company’s preparedness and responsiveness during the assessment period.
Benefits of NSC Certification
Environmental Impact
Natural stone stands out as an environmentally responsible building material, aligning perfectly with modern sustainable building practices. The Natural Stone Council’s commitment to environmental stewardship is evident through its rigorous standards and certification processes, which ensure minimal ecological impact during extraction and processing.
Unlike manufactured materials, natural stone requires significantly less energy to process and produces fewer carbon emissions during production. Its durability means it rarely needs replacement, reducing long-term environmental impact and waste. The stone’s natural thermal mass properties contribute to better building energy efficiency, while its low maintenance requirements eliminate the need for harsh cleaning chemicals.
Local sourcing options further reduce transportation-related emissions, and many quarries practice responsible land management, including comprehensive rehabilitation plans. The material’s recyclability and potential for reuse in future projects makes it an excellent choice for environmentally conscious construction. Additionally, natural stone contains no harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs), contributing to better indoor air quality and occupant health.
Market Advantages
Natural stone offers distinct market advantages that set it apart in the construction and design industries. Companies certified by the Natural Stone Council demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and quality that resonates with environmentally conscious clients and stakeholders. This certification creates a competitive edge in bidding processes, particularly for government contracts and LEED-certified projects where sustainable materials are required.
The certification also provides documented verification of sustainable practices, which helps businesses meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations and client demands. Certified companies often report improved operational efficiencies, reduced waste, and lower energy consumption, leading to significant cost savings over time.
Marketing benefits include enhanced brand reputation and increased trust among architects, designers, and consumers. The certification serves as a powerful differentiator in a crowded marketplace, helping companies attract premium clients and command better pricing for their products. Additionally, certified companies gain access to NSC’s educational resources, networking opportunities, and industry insights, enabling them to stay ahead of market trends and maintain their competitive advantage.
Real-World Applications
The Natural Stone Council’s certification standards have been implemented in numerous prestigious projects across the United States, demonstrating the versatility and sustainability of certified stone materials. One notable example is the Salesforce Tower in San Francisco, where locally-sourced certified granite was used extensively in both interior and exterior applications, reducing transportation emissions while maintaining high aesthetic standards.
The Getty Center in Los Angeles showcases the durability and timeless appeal of NSC-certified travertine, with over 1.2 million square feet of stone sourced through sustainable quarrying practices. The project stands as a testament to responsible material sourcing and long-term sustainability in architectural design.
In the retail sector, Whole Foods Market has incorporated NSC-certified stone in several of their flagship stores, including their Austin headquarters, where locally-quarried limestone creates an authentic connection to the regional architecture while meeting strict environmental standards.
The University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business utilized NSC-certified sandstone throughout its campus expansion, demonstrating how natural stone can contribute to LEED certification goals while creating lasting educational environments. The project’s success has influenced other institutions to prioritize certified stone in their construction plans.
Residential applications have also embraced NSC certification, as evidenced by the growing number of luxury home developments using certified stone. The Mountain Modern development in Aspen, Colorado, exclusively features NSC-certified quartzite and granite, proving that environmental responsibility and premium design can coexist seamlessly.
These successful implementations showcase how NSC certification adds value to projects while ensuring environmental stewardship and sustainable practices in natural stone procurement and use.
The Natural Stone Council’s certification program stands as a cornerstone of sustainable practices in the natural stone industry, offering crucial validation for environmentally conscious construction and design choices. Through rigorous standards and comprehensive evaluation processes, NSC certification ensures that stone products meet specific environmental performance criteria while maintaining the highest quality standards.
This certification has become increasingly important as the construction industry shifts toward more sustainable practices. It provides architects, designers, and consumers with confidence that their stone selections align with environmental stewardship goals. The program’s emphasis on responsible quarrying, efficient processing, and waste reduction demonstrates the industry’s commitment to minimizing environmental impact while preserving the timeless beauty of natural stone.
For industry professionals and consumers alike, NSC certification represents more than just an environmental stamp of approval – it’s a guarantee of responsible practices throughout the stone’s journey from quarry to final installation. As sustainability continues to drive construction and design decisions, the NSC’s role in setting and maintaining these standards remains vital for the future of natural stone applications.
