Green Building Standards: Seeing the Forest through the Trees
Check out our overview of green building standards to learn more about how to build more sustainably.
Knowing your options before you search can help you find what you're looking for faster. Check out our overview of green building standards to learn more about the many standards availble to you. Use the features you're interested in as search terms to find the standards that match your building needs.
Jump to section:
- Green Building Standards - Introduction
- Search by Standard
- Indoor Emissions / Air Quality
- Energy and Water Efficiency Standards
- Sustainable Forestry Standards
- Other Sustainability Standards
- Multi-Attribute Standards and Miscellaneous Single Attribute Standards
Green Building Standards
Building and product standards and certifications are more prevalent than ever and most recent developments have focused on green building certifications. Consumers are demanding green products and services and green building is no exception. Incorporating elements with green building certifications makes potential buyers feel more comfortable sealing the deal and they're often willing to pay a premium for environmentally friendly products. As builders, manufacturers, architects, marketing firms and others race to apply ecolabels to their goods and services, organizations have scrambled to create the standards for those labels. The result has been lack of clarity for consumers and businesses as competing standards and certifications spring up at every turn.
It's important to research standards that affect your purchases and business decisions, from what a certification actually stands for to what the certifying organization stands for. Many organizations that create a standard have some stake in that standard. Manufacturers and trade associations want standards that are in line with their business and financial goals and may rush to create a standard to preempt standards less agreeable to their interests. First-party claims, or self-declarations claims a company makes about its own products or services—are the most suspect. Second-party claims—claims made by a group with a stake in the outcome, such as a trade association—should also be scrutinized carefully. Third-party certifications are the most reliable because the certifying agency should have no bias or stake in the outcome. Third-party certifiers, which may include government agencies, non-profits and for-profit organizations, generally charge a fee to evaluate products or services for compliance with standards, and they collect that fee whether or not certification is actually awarded. But it's still important to know who created the criteria that the third-party is applying.
Another difficulty is that many standards and certifications are one-dimensional. A standard might deal with the emission levels of wood flooring without comparing other types of flooring or other factors besides emission levels, such as sustainability. As a result, it can be hard to compare different products and attributes and easy to find yourself lost amidst the trees, unable to see the forest. The trend has been toward more integrated standards that consider a number of attributes and alternative products, but as those standards continue to be developed, it will take some research and thought to help you understand your options and consider how different standards and certifications compare to and complement each other.
Most environmental building standards center around air quality and emissions, energy efficiency and sustainability. Standards may cover products, systems, services and buildings, and standards for buildings may apply to single-family, multi-family and commercial properties, new builds or remodels. You may be required by law to meet minimum standards or you may choose to voluntarily meet certain standards to add value to a product or service, help protect the environment and entice costumers to buy. Many building standards are regional, so you may find options and mandates that apply specifically to your area.
The table below provides an overview of green building programs and certifications. Most of the standards listed below are constantly evolving, so check for current online materials using the links in the table or by entering search terms into Lute Lumber's building supply search.
Search by Standard
Note: The following list of standards is not exhaustive.
| Organization | Program / Certification | Program Overview | Products / Aspects Covered | Applies To | Background / Affliations |
| Indoor Emissions / Air Quality | |||||
| American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest |
Health House(r) Advantage Certification |
1. Designed to create healthy, safe, durable and energy efficient environments 2. Nationally recognized for raising the standards of residential air quality and energy efficiency 3. Requires a registered builder 4. Includes site inspections during construction and performance testing upon completion 5. Costs 3 - 5% more than traditional construction techniques 6. Can reduce utility bills as much as 30 - 40% |
Typical components: 1. Foundation waterproofing and moisture control 2. Advanced framing techniques 3. Air sealing and advanced insulation techniques 4. Energy-efficient, high-performance windows 5. Energy-efficient and sealed combustion appliances 6. High-efficiency air filtration 7. Whole house ventilation 8. Humidity control 9. Carefully selected and reviewed interior finishes |
New residential homes in the Upper Midwest | The American Lung Association is a Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance Accredited Charity and a Charity Navigator Four-Star Organization dedicated to saving lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. |
| California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) |
California Section 01350 |
1. Contains specification language on environmental and public health considerations for building projects 2. Establishes goals and provides an overview of special environmental requirements 3. Some key elements are procedures to ensure good indoor air quality to protect human health, including product selection guidelines and emission-testing protocols to distinguish low-emitting materials |
Typical components: 1. Energy 2. Materials 3. Water efficiency 4. Indoor air quality (IAQ) 5. Nontoxic performance standards for cleaning and maintenance products 6. Sustainable site planning and landscaping considerations |
California | CIWMB staff worked with the California Department of Health Services (DHS), California Air Resources Board, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, Hal Levin of Building Ecology Research Group, and Anthony Bernheim, FAIA, principal in charge of green design at Simon Martin-Vegue Winkelstein Moris to develop Section 01350. |
| GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) |
GREENGUARD Certification Program |
1. Mission is to improve public health and quality of life through programs that improve indoor air quality 2. Maximum allowable emission levels are those required by the State of Washington's indoor air quality program for new construction, the U.S. EPA'S procurements specifications, the recommendations from the World Health Organization, Germany's Blue Angel Program for electronic equipment, LEED for New Construction and LEED for Commercial Interiors 3. Office furniture products meeting emission levels also meet the requirements of LEED 2009 - CI - credit 4.5 and the BIFMA X7.1 Conformance standard 4. When multiple emission values are recommended, the more stringent is used as the acceptable emission value for GREENGUARD Certification |
Typical components: 1. GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified - Interior building materials, furnishings and finish systems 2. GREENGUARD Children & SchoolsSM - Interior building materials, furnishings, and finish systems used in educational, office and other sensitive environments 3. GREENGUARD Building Construction - Multifamily and commercial properties that follow best practice guidelines for preventing mold during the design, construction and ongoing operations |
The GEI is an industry-independent, non-profit ANSI accredited standards developer. A GEI Advisory Board consisting of independent volunteers, who are renowned experts in the areas of indoor air quality, public and environmental health, building design and construction, and public policy, provides guidance and leadership to GEI. | |
| Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) |
calCOMPliant |
1. Certifies that products adhere to mandatory CARB regulations to control formaldehyde emissions 2. Compliance to CARB regulations requires certification by a CARB-approved third-party certifier (TPC), such as SCS |
Typical components: 1. Composite wood products, including hardwood plywood (veneer and composite core), particleboard and medium density fiberboard (MDF) |
California | SCS provides independent third-party environmental and sustainability certification, auditing, testing and standards development. |
| Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) |
Advantage and SCS Indoor Advantage Gold |
1. VOC criteria for the Indoor Advantage™ certification are based on emission criteria established in the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer’s Association (BIFMA) Standard for Low-Emitting Office Furniture Systems and Seating (ANSI/BIFMA X7.1) and the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) criteria EQ4.5 (furniture and seating) 2. SCS Indoor Advantage Gold™ criteria conform to LEED criteria ANSI/BIFMA criteria, California 013650 Special Environment Requirements and California DGS Indoor Air Quality Specifications |
Typical components: 1. Furniture and other indoor products, including wall coverings, insulation, systems furniture, seating, casework and paints |
SCS provides independent third-party environmental and sustainability certification, auditing, testing and standards development. |
| Organization | Program / Certification | Program Overview | Products / Aspects Covered | Applies To | Background / Affliations |
| Energy and Water-Efficiency Standards | |||||
| Scientific Certification Systems (SCS)and the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) |
Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24, Part 6) |
1. Responds to California's energy crisis to reduce energy bills, increase energy delivery system reliability and improve economic conditions 2. Emphasizes energy efficiency measures that: a. save energy at peak periods and seasons b. improve installation quality of energy efficiency measures c. incorporate publicly funded building science research d. collaborate with California utilities to incorporate results of appropriate market incentives programs |
Typical components: 1. Numerous building supplies, systems and methods |
Residential and nonresidential building construction in California | |
| U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy |
ENERGY STAR |
1. Voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products to reduce greenhouse gas emissions |
Typical components: 1. Effective insulation, high-performance windows 2. Tight construction and ducts 3. Efficient heating and cooling equipment 4. Efficient products (e.g., lighting and appliances) |
New residential homes (3 stories or less) | ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. |
| U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy |
WaterSense |
1. Seeks to protect the future of our nation's water supply by promoting water efficiency and enhancing the market for water-efficient products, programs and practices 2. Helps consumers identify water-efficient products and programs 3. Products perform well, help save money and encourage innovation in manufacturing |
Typical components: 1. Bathroom sink faucets 2. Flushing urinals 3. High-efficiency toilets 4. Landscape irrigation services 5. New homes 6. Prerinse spray valves 7. Showerheads 8. Weather- or sensor-based irrigation control technologies |
New homes and residential and commercial products, systems and services | WaterSense partners with manufacturers, retailers, distributors, utilities, state and local governments, nongovernmental organizations, trade associations, irrigation professionals and professional certifying organizations to bring water-efficient products to market and spread the word about the need for smart water use. |
| Organization | Program / Certification | Program Overview | Products / Aspects Covered | Applies To | Background / Affliations |
| Sustainable Forestry Standards | |||||
| Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) |
FSC Certification |
1. Certified forests adhere to 10 principles and 57 criteria that address legal issues, indigenous rights, labor rights, multiple benefits and environmental impacts surrounding forest management 2. U.S. standards vary by region to account for different forest ecosystems 3. Family Forests Program sets requirements for requirements for small and low-intensity managed forests 4. LEED credit may be available for buildings incorporating more than 50% FSC-certified wood 5. FSC-accredited, independent, “third-party” certification bodies or “certifiers” certify forests |
Typical components: 1. Forests (forest certification) 2. Wood-based materials and products (chain-of-custody certification) |
The FSC is a non-profit organization formed by loggers, foresters, environmentalists and sociologists to encourage the responsible management of the world’s forests. | |
| Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) |
SFI Certification |
1. SFI forest certification promotes responsible forestry practices 2. SFI chain-of-custody certification extends into the marketplace by tracking fiber content from certified lands through production and manufacturing to the end product 3. SFI fiber sourcing requirements address the reality of global fiber markets and the fact that only 10 percent of the world’s forests are certified; program participants must ensure the raw material in their supply chain comes from legal and responsible sources, whether the forests are certified or not 4. Requirements are audited by independent, third-party certification bodies to ensure they conform |
Typical components: 1. Forests (forest certification) 2. Wood-based products (chain-of-custody certification) 3. Raw materials (fiber sourcing requirements) |
SFI Inc. is an independent, non-profit organization responsible for maintaining, overseeing and improving an internationally recognized sustainable forestry certification program. The governance structure includes equal representation across three chambers: social, economic and environmental. |
| Organization | Program / Certification | Program Overview | Products / Aspects Covered | Applies To | Background / Affliations |
| Other Sustainability Standards | |||||
| Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer's Association (BIFMA) |
Furniture Sustainability Standard and Level Certification Program |
1. Standard is a voluntary, open, consensus-based method to evaluate the sustainable attributes of furniture products 2. Intended to provide manufacturers, specifiers and users with a common basis for evaluating safety, durability, and the structural adequacy of the specified furniture, independent of construction materials 3. Addresses all three aspects of sustainability (environmental, economic and social) 4. Includes criteria for evaluating human and ecosystem health, energy, natural resource and corporate social responsibility impacts |
Typical components: 1. Office and institutional furniture |
BIFMA is a not-for-profit organization serving businesses that are primarily engaged in design, development, marketing and fulfillment of office and institutional furniture products. | |
| Green Seal |
Multiple categories of Green Seal Standards |
1. Identifies sustainability leadership performance levels and practices for products and services 2. Based on the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards for environmental labeling programs, ISO 14020 and 14024 international standards for ecolabelling 3. Product or service categories are evaluated using a life-cycle approach to ensure that all significant environmental impacts are considered in the development of a standard, from raw materials extraction through manufacturing to use and disposal |
Typical components: 1. Construction materials, equipment and systems 2. Facility operations, maintenance and services 3. Hospitality, lodging and food service 4. Home products and services 5. Office products and communications 6. Personal care and consumer packaged goods 7. Transportation and utilities |
Residential, commercial and industrial products, systems and services | Green Seal is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). |
| International Code Council Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) |
Sustainable Attributes Verification and Evaluation Program (SAVE) |
1. Voluntary program 2. Products are verified as meeting the manufacturer’s environmental claims and having the product attributes claimed by the manufacturer 3. Guidelines used to verify the manufacturer’s claims address the production stage, beginning with raw material acquisition and progressing through final manufacturing and packaging (“cradle-to-gate”) |
Building products, materials and systems that fall within the scope of one or more of the following: 1. Recycled content of materials 2. Biobased material content 3. Solar reflectance, thermal emittance and solar reflective index of roof covering materials 4. Regionally extracted, harvested or manufactured materials or products 5. VOC content and emissions of adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings and floor coverings 6. Formaldehyde emissions of composite wood and engineered wood products 7. Certified wood and certified wood content in products |
A non-profit, public-benefit corporation, ICC-ES came into being when America's four building-product evaluation services (National Evaluation Service, BOCAI Evaluation Services, ICBO Evaluation Service and SBCCI Public Service Testing and Evaluation Services) combined their operations. | |
| NSF International |
Sustainability (Green) Program |
1. Standards and verifications cover a variety of products and processes, including customized claims verification for technologies that fall outside of existing standards 2. Helps consumers, regulators and businesses have more confidence when purchasing "green" products |
Typical components: 1. Environmental claims verification 2. Green chemistry 3. Product testing and evaluation 4. Sustainable product certification |
NSF International is a not-for-profit developer of U.S. national standards. NSF is accredited by ANSI, IAS and OSHA in the U.S. and the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) in Canada. | |
| UL (Underwriters Laboratories) Environment |
Sustainable Product Certification (SPC) |
1. Independent, global source for testing and certifying the sustainability of products, processes and materials |
Building products, materials and systems that fall within the scope of one or more of the following: 1. Building products 2. Carpeting 3. Office furniture 4. Electronics and other products |
UL Environment is a wholly owned subsidiary of Underwriters Laboratories®, global leader in conformity assessment. |
| Organization | Program / Certification | Program Overview | Products / Aspects Covered | Applies To | Background / Affliations |
| Multi-Attribute Standards and Miscellaneous Single Attribute Standards | |||||
| Austin Energy |
Green Building Program |
1. Building professionals work with Austin Energy Green Building to rate their projects 2. Program may be voluntary or required by zoning or code 3. Program goals included healthier, more comfortable occupancy, lower utility bills, reduced maintenance, increased durability and lasting value and benefits for the community and planet 4. Rating system: scale of one to five stars |
Single-family home rating checkpoints: 1. Site selection 2. Home design 3. Construction waste management 4. Building structure and enclosure 5. Thermal and moisture control 6. Plumbing and appliances 7. Mechanical system 8. Performance testing 9. Electrical 10. Interior construction and finishes 11. Site work and landscaping |
Single-family, multi-family and commercial buildings in Austin, TX | Austin Energy is a community-owned electric utility and a city department. Austin Energy Green Building™ is an education and marketing organization that promotes the design, construction, and operation of higher-quality, more-sustainable buildings. |
| City of Boulder |
Green Points Building Program |
1. Mandatory program 2. Helps homeowners find the products and designs for building "green" 3. Encourages Boulder homeowners to include cost-effective and sustainable remodeling and building methods that conserve fossil fuels, water and other natural resources 4. Promotes the recycling of construction materials to reduce solid waste 5. Promotes better indoor air quality 6. Applicants earn "points" by selecting green building measures in order to receive a building permit 7. Offers remodelers, do-it-yourselfers and home buyers ideas while allowing them flexibility to tailor their selections to specific designs or preferences |
Typical components: 1. Site development 2. Building rehabilitation 3. Waste management 4. Energy efficiency 5. Solar power 6. Water efficiency 7. Material efficient frame and structure 8. Sustainable products 9. Indoor air quality 10. Homeowner information binder 11. Design process and innovation |
All new residential construction, and additions and remodels larger than 500 square feet in Boulder, CO | Supported by the Community Planning Department, including the Office of Environmental Affairs Planning and Development Services, administering the Green Building and Green Points Program as part of the commercial and residential building permit process. |
| City of Seattle/Seattle City Light |
BUILT SMART |
1. Buildings are designed to conserve resources while providing a healthy, comfortable living environment 2. Apartments and condominiums incorporate resource conservation for cost-efficient comfort 3. Buildings operate more efficiently to save money while preserving natural resources 4. Standards exceed the highest recommendations of the State Building Code for energy efficiency and comfort |
Typical components: 1. Extra insulation 2. Energy-saving windows 3. Long-lasting, energy-efficient lighting 4. Healthy ventilation 5. High-efficiency thermostats 6. Energy- and water-efficient clothes washers |
Multifamily projects in Seattle, WA | Seattle City Light is a publicly-owned utility dedicated to producing and delivering environmentally responsible, safe, low-cost, reliable power. |
| City of Scottsdale, Arizona |
Green Building Program |
1. Builder and designer certification program 2. Encourages a whole-systems approach through design and building techniques to minimize environmental impact and reduce the energy consumption of buildings while contributing to the health of its occupants 3. Considerations for green building: a. Protect and enhance the site b. Enhance energy efficiency c. Use environmentally responsible materials d. Create a safe indoor air environment e. Provide for efficient water use f. Reduce generation of solid waste |
Typical components: 1. Site 2. Energy rating/performance 3. Thermal envelope 4. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning 5. Electrical, lighting and appliances 6. Indoor air quality 7. Plumbing 8. Roofing 9. Interior and exterior finishes 10. Interior doors, cabinetry and trim 11. Flooring 12. Solid waste 13. Operation and maintenance 14. Innovative design |
Single-family, multi-family and commercial buildings in Scottsdale, AZ | |
| Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association and Southface |
EarthCraft House Program |
1. Serves as a blueprint for healthy, comfortable homes that reduce utility bills and help protect the environment 2. Follows a systems approach to home building that stresses an understanding of how the different components of a home work together 3. Results in a home that performs better, is more economical for the homeowner and costs little more to build than a comparable home built with standard construction practices 4. Each house must achieve a minimum of 150 points; builders can exceed the standard criteria to achieve "Select" and "Premium" status 5. Homes must meet ENERGY STAR certification criteria |
Typical components: 1. Site planning 2. Energy-efficient building envelope and systems 3. Resource-efficient design and building materials 4. Waste management 5. Indoor air quality 6. Water conservation 7. Homeowner education 8. Builder operations 9. Bonus/innovation points |
New residential homes, residential remodels and multifamily projects in the southeastern United States | The EarthCraft House Program was created by the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association in partnership with Southface. |
| Green Building Initiative (GBI) |
Green Globes |
1. Comprehensive environmental assessment protocol 2. Software tools that speed and simplify self-assessment 3. Best practices guidance for green construction and operations 4. Qualified assessors with green building expertise 5. Rating/certification system |
Typical components: 1. Energy 2. Indoor environment 3. Site 4. Water 5. Resources 6. Emissions 7. Project/environmental management |
New and existing commercial buildings | The GBI was conceived to bring green building into the mainstream by helping local Home Builder Associations develop green building programs modeled after the National Association of Home Builders' Model Green Home Building Guidelines. While developing a strategic partnership with the NAHB, an opportunity emerged to bring Green Globes, a revolutionary learning tool developed in Canada, to commercial builders in the United States. Click here to learn more. |
| Institute for Market Transformation to Sustainability (MTS) |
SMaRT certification |
1. Vision is to achieve a sustainable world through transformation of the way we design, make and sell products 2. Multiple environmental, social and economic benefits over the supply chain 3. Life cycle environmental performance requirements for sustainable products 4. Social performance requirements for sustainable products over the supply chain 5. Rating system: Sustainable, Sustainable Silver, Sustainable Gold and Sustainable Platinum |
Typical components: 1. Building products 2. Fabric 3. Apparel 4. Textile 5. Flooring |
MTS is a 501(c)(3) public charity whose mission is to accelerate the global market transformation to sustainability and achieve 90% sustainable products market penetration by 2015. MTS is an ANSI accredited standards developer. View charter members here. | |
| U.S. Green Building Council (U.S.GBC) |
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) |
1. Third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings 2. Promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality |
Typical components: 1. Home design and construction 2. Commercial and institutional new construction and major renovations 3. Building operations and maintenance 4. Commercial interiors 5. Core and shell construction 6. School design and construction 7. Retail design and construction 8. Healthcare facility design and construction 9. Neighborhood development |
U.S.GBC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. Constituency includes builders, environmentalists, corporations, non-profit organizations, elected officials, concerned citizens, teachers and students. | |
| Master Builders Asociation of King and Snohomish Counties (Washington) |
Built Green |
1. Designed to provide homeowners with comfortable, durable, environmentally friendly homes that are cost-effective to own and operate 2. Resource-efficient homes are crafted to exceed building codes and provide homeowners with years of healthy, quality living, while protecting the Northwest environment |
Typical components: 1. Energy efficiency 2. Indoor air quality 3. Conserving natural resources 4. Water quality |
Residential remodels and new homes in King and Snohomish Counties (Washington) | Built Green is an environmentally friendly, non-profit building program developed in partnership with King County, Snohomish County and other agencies in Washington State. |
| McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC) |
Cradle to Cradle Certified |
1. Certification checkpoints include: a. environmentally safe and healthy materials b. design for material reutilization, such as recycling or composting c. use of renewable energy and energy efficiency d. efficient use of water and maximum water quality associated with production e. instituting strategies for social responsibility 2. Rating system: Basic, Silver, Gold or Platinum |
Typical components: 1. Numerous building and home products |
MBDC is a product and process design firm dedicated to revolutionizing the design of products and services worldwide. William McDonough and Dr. Michael Braungart founded MBDC to promote and shape the "Next Industrial Revolution" through the introduction of Cradle to Cradle Design and the implementation of eco-effective design principles. | |
| National Association of Home Builders |
National Green Building Program |
1. First residential green building rating system to undergo the full consensus process and receive ANSI approval 2. New single-family homes certified to the standard may qualify to be concurrently certified to the Builders Challenge 3. Four threshold levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Emerald |
Typical components: 1. Energy efficiency 2. Water and resource conservation 3. Sustainable or recycled products 4. Indoor air quality |
Single-family and multi-unit homes, residential remodeling projects and site developments | NAHB exists to represent the building industry by serving its members and affiliated state and local builders associations. |
| North Carolina State Energy Office |
HealthyBuilt Homes |
1. Certifies homes built by residential builders who use sustainable, high-performance building strategies to reduce energy and water usage, promote renewable energy use and help protect the land where the home is built 2. Building materials and processes are selected to reduce pollution and the waste of natural resources during the manufacturing and construction phases and throughout the life of the home 3. Rating scale: Certified, Bronze Certified, Silver Certified and Gold Certified |
Typical components: 1. Site opportunities 2. Water opportunities 3. Energy opportunities (building envelope, comfort systems, and appliances, lighting and renewables) 4. Indoor air quality 5. Materials opportunities 6. Bonus opportunities |
Residential homes in North Carolina | HealthyBuilt Homes Program is a collaborative program between the North Carolina Solar Center, the State Energy Office, NC Department of Administration and local building professional organizations. |
| TerraChoice Environmental Marketing |
EcoLogo |
1. Multi-attribute criteria certification program developed based on the lifecycle of a product or service 2. Provides customers – public, corporate and consumer – with assurance that the products and services bearing the logo meet stringent standards of environmental leadership 3. Compares products/services with others in the same category, develops rigorous and scientifically relevant criteria that reflect the entire lifecycle of the product 4. Meets internationally recognized ISO 14024 requirements 5. Products/services are verified for compliance with criteria by an independent third party |
Numerous building materials and systems, including: 1. Adhesives 2. Paints, stains and varnishes 3. Asphalt 4. Energy efficient heating/cooling 5. Flooring products 6. Gypsum wallboard 7. Hot water tanks/heating boilers 8. Sealants and caulking compounds 9. Steel 10. Thermal insulation materials 11. Water-conserving products |
TerraChoice is a North American science-based environmental marketing firm that helps clients convert genuine environmental leadership into winning strategy, communications and positioning. | |
| UL (Underwriters Laboratories) Environment |
Environmental Claims Validation (ECV) |
1. Tests and validates manufacturers ’ self-declared environmental claims |
Environmental claims validated: 1. Recycled content 2. Rapidly renewable materials 3. Regional materials 4. Volatile organic chemicals (VOC) content and emissions 5. Energy and water efficiency 6. Hazardous or toxic substances 7. Reclamation projects 8. Mold resistance 9. Manufacturing energy audits 10. Degradability and compostability |
UL Environment is a wholly owned subsidiary of Underwriters Laboratories, a global leader in conformity assessment. |