Greenguard Certification Recognized by USGBC

Atlanta, GA, Feb. 9, 2009--The Greenguard Environmental Institute said that the U.S. Green Building Council has approved flooring certified to the Greenguard Children & Schools standard as an alternative pathway for achieving credit within the LEED Rating System.

This means that buildings seeking LEED certification will have another option for achieving credit EQ 4.3: Flooring Systems in regards to low-emitting flooring.

"We applaud GEI in providing a robust third-party certification program that encourages floor covering manufacturers to verify their products to be protective of building occupants' health and well being," said Rick Fedrizzi, CEO and founding chairman of the USGBC.

"This approval will increase the availability of qualified sustainable flooring products including hardwoods, bamboo, laminates, rubber, stone, ceramic, quartz, underlayment and other alternative flooring materials for LEED projects."

GEI's mission is to protect the indoor air quality of commercial building, homes, schools and healthcare facilities by qualifying construction materials and furnishings for their low, non-toxic emissions that could pollute the air we breathe. The Children and Schools standard, introduced in 2005, is the most stringent of GEI's standards.

Currently, more than 130 different manufacturers participate in the Greenguard Children & Schools Certification Program, which requires extensive initial qualification followed by ongoing verification. All products must meet the health-based criteria of CA 01350's chronic exposure levels including 13.5 parts per billion formaldehyde.

"All products must meet this standard within seven days of installation in a building," said Marilyn Black, founder of GEI. "This assures building occupants, including remodelers, that low chemical emissions are quickly attained when new products are brought into indoor spaces."

Currently there are more than 10,000 flooring products certified to this standard and readily available.