Masterspec
01 Apr 2025
Document Referencing and Scheduling with eCert
Our editor team has updated all Masterspec work sections which have references to environmental documents. Where environmental document references...
27 Mar 2025
Update Manager New Features
The new Update Manager features are designed to boost productivity when applying changes to updated work sections. Simplify work section updates with...
03 Mar 2025
CIL is Now Accepting Product Carbon Data for the National Embodied Carbon Data Repository for Construction.
CIL Masterspec is now accepting carbon information in the form of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) or Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) from...
06 Jan 2025
Carbon 2025 and Beyond: Building a More Sustainable Future for NZ Construction
In July 2024, Construction Information Ltd (CIL) and the Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ) announced a partnership to develop a...
01 Nov 2024
Introducing eCert: A Game-Changing Tool for Sustainable Construction
As the New Zealand construction industry increasingly focuses on sustainability and carbon reduction, there is a growing need for tools that can help...
26 Sep 2024
Masterspec Specified: Manawa House by Cube Architecture
"Masterspec has been an indispensable tool for our project Manawa House. During the specification, Masterspec streamlined our entire specification...
26 Sep 2024
Masterspec Specified: Award Winning Ligar Bay Bach by Young Architects
"Masterspec was used for providing a detailed, fully customised, specification as part of our comprehensive project documentation for the Ligar Bay...
25 Sep 2024
Masterspec Specified: Hilltop Home by Jon McAlpine Architecture
“Masterspec is a critical component in our studio. Its user-friendly platform and regular product specification updates, keep us constantly on the...
06 Aug 2024
NZ Building Code Changes: Type 1 Domestic Smoke Alarms
In Masterspec NOTES June 2024, we provided commentary around the changes to the NZ Building Code relating to domestic smoke alarms.
18 Jul 2024
New Industry Initiative to Reduce Carbon Emissions of New Zealand Buildings
A new industry-led initiative aims to reduce the environmental impact of Aotearoa New Zealand’s buildings, which contribute up to 20% of the national...
04 Jul 2024
Masterspec Announces New MasterKey4 for Revit 2025 Enhancements
Streamlined Workflows and Improved Collaboration with MasterKey4. We are excited to announce the latest update to MasterKey4 for Revit 2025, designed...
04 Jun 2024
Building Code Updates 2023-2024
This month we have published amendments in response to building code updates. The 2023-24 NZBC changes were published by MBIE on the 2 November 2023,...
04 Jun 2024
NZ Building Code Changes: Type 1 Domestic Smoke Alarms
From November 2023 the Building Code Acceptable Solutions for Protection from Fire (C/AS1 and C/AS2) have been amended to make Type 1 interconnected...
05 Apr 2024
Understanding Project Scope and How to Specify Window Systems
It is vital that Movement and Deflection criteria are correctly defined in the Specification. We cannot over emphasize the importance of correctly...
04 Apr 2024
MBIE Building Consent System Review - Overview and Update
In July 2022, MBIE commenced a review of the building consent system, as part of the Building System Reforms to improve the consenting process. The...
30 Nov 2023
NZCIC Guidelines Responsibility Schedule Goes Digital
The new online tool enables real-time collaboration among multiple stakeholders, fostering efficiency and innovation in construction processes.
10 Nov 2023
BCA Requests to Modify Manufacturers Technical Content
mDocs allows the specifier to quickly access the latest version of a document uploaded by the manufacturer or supplier. Importantly, these detailed...
27 Sep 2023
Masterspec Specified: Award Winning Taharoto Lane by X Studio Architects
The development will have 19 units, including studio, office, and retail space. The residential units will have balconies with views of the city...
27 Sep 2023
Masterspec Specified: Award Winning Soaring Box House by Turner Road Architecture
The house’s unique design fits into the rural landscape. The house has a cantilevered structure and a soaring angular volume. The interior design is...
13 Sep 2023
Hallmark Group Opens Up About BPIR
Recently, Hallmark Group turned to Masterspec, a trusted name in compliance solutions, for guidance on their BPIR for fire doors. In this article, we...

Document Referencing and Scheduling with eCert

01 Apr 2025

We recently introduced the new eCert tool to the Masterspec platform.  With eCert, specifiers can compare environmental documents from building product suppliers, making informed decisions that align with project specific environmental goals.  The selected environmental documents can then be attached to your specification appendix.

eCert currently supports accredited documentation for the following:

  • Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)
  • Declare
  • Toitū Envirocare
  • Eco Choice Aotearoa
  • Global Green Tag
  • Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
  • Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC)

 

screenshot of Schedule of Environmental Documents Clause

Our editor team has updated all Masterspec work sections which have references to environmental documents.

Where environmental document references have been manually added to work sections in the past, these have been removed.  When adding environmental documents to your specification using the eCert tool, document referencing and scheduling clauses are automatically added under a new clause named MANUFACTURER/SUPPLIER ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS.  This streamlines the specification process and ensures document references are up to date.

References to environmental documents not currently supported by eCert have also been removed from work sections, however these documents are still available in mDocs for inclusion and reference in your specification.  These documents and any environmental document sourced directly from building product suppliers can be attached to your specification using the eCert manual upload function.

For more information on what eCert is and how it works, click here →

Specification of Certified Sustainable Timber

A pile of cut logs with FSC and PEFC logos

Alongside the eCert tool, we have made changes to improve and simplify how certified sustainable timber is specified.  This has involved updating all work sections with reference to Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) certified sustainable timber.

Individual work sections handle the specifics of FSC and PEFC timber certification in SELECTIONS.  If there is a project specific requirement for the contractor to demonstrate chain of custody (CoC) through obtaining and tracking all FSC and PEFC certified timber delivery notes, invoices and receipts, then one of Masterspec's branded or generic 1226 Sustainable Project work sections can be included in your specification to detail the requirements.