LEED® for non-Textile Flooring Systems

LEED^®, the US originated rating system for sustainable buildings, is requested by more and more building planners in the USA and in Europe and at the Gulf.

Copies of that rating system can be found in the Gulf region, in Italy, in Australia, and in some Asian regions. Slightly different approaches are in use in Europe, see also here.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a non profit organization that developed and administers the LEED^® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System.

Please see our presentation on LEED - a new challenge for low VOC emission materials, as presentation slides and as paper, held at CERTECH conference on Odours and Emissions from Materials in October 2009.

LEED and products

Products cannot be LEED certified. Only buildings can.

Use of low emitting materials is helping to achieve points for improving indoor air quality. Motivation of product manufacturers to show that their product can support collecting LEED^® points ("LEED^® compliance") is that they can sell their products to those who want to achieve LEED^® certification of their building. But USGBC does not foresee any type of "LEED^® compliance" attestation of a product. An overview of these requirements for purchasers and commissioners is available for download in English, in German and soon also in French.

Indoor Environmental Quality specifications by LEED^®, EQ credit 4.3

There are VOC emission requirements for hard surface flooring in the LEED^® 2009 specifications for

There are two ways of showing compliance.

Option 1: All hard surface flooring must be certified as compliant with the FloorScore standard by an independent third party. Flooring products covered by FloorScore include vinyl, linoleum, laminate flooring, wood flooring, ceramic flooring, rubber flooring and wall base. Eurofins Product Testing A/S is an approved testing laboratory for testing within that process.

It will also be accepted if an independent laboratory, such as Eurofins Product Testing A/S, shows compliance with the testing and product requirements of FloorScore - without certification.

Ceramic tiles, and mineral flooring without organic coating, are assumed to comply without testing.

Option 2: All flooring products must meet the testing and product requirements of the California Department of Public Health Standard Practice for the Testing of Volatile Organic Emissions from Various Sources Using Small-Scale Environmental Chambers, including 2004 Addenda - also called Section 01350 specification. This is shown by emission chamber testing in an independent laboratory, such as Eurofins Product Testing A/S - without FloorScore certification.

Ceramic tiles and mineral flooring without organic coating is assumed to comply without testing - see 4th bullet of low-emitting floorings credit, e.g. on page 4 of LEED for Commercial Interior.

Additionally, concrete, wood, bamboo, and cork floor finishes such as sealer, stain and finish must meet the requirements of as specified in LEED credit IEQ 4.2, paints and coatings (SCAQMD rule #1113).

And, all tile setting adhesives and grout must meet criteria as specified in LEED^® credit EQ 4.1, adhesives and sealants (SCAQMD rule #1168).

Other points may be achieved for recyclable and for recycled content.

A comparison between limit values of AgBB, GUT, Blue Angel and CDPH Section 01350 (as used by LEED) was made available by GUT both in English and in German. It clearly shows that requirements of CDPH Section 01350 are much weaker than European requirements.

LEED 2012 open for public comment

LEED 2012 with important changes and additions is open for 3^rd public comment in March, 2012. You can see details on major proposed changes and commenting procedure on our special page and in our blogs.

Using synergies

If a manufacturer needs VOC testing for markets on both sides of the Atlantic, then Eurofins can help saving money by combining all required testing into one test setup. This service is unique in whole world. No single other testing laboratory is approved for VOC emission chamber testing by so many organizations both for US purposes and for European labels such as Blue Angel, EMICODE and M1, combining this with a world-wide valid ISO 17025 accreditation.

Further Information

Please see our flyer on LEED^® issues in English or in French, or contact our specialists for using Eurofins expertise that may help to show compliance of your products with LEED low emitting interiors credit.

More information on this website is touching LEED in general and for several product groups, low VOC ecolabels and regulations, and VOC testing as such. You may also look for LEED related seminars and webinars.

Further information regarding LEED:

USGBC Contact page
USGBC Customer Service page
LEED FAQ
LEED User with tips, help and discussion forum
LEED Rating systems
LEED Addenda with updates and clarifications
GBC Italia Contact page

There is a European database with products showing compliance with LEED or DGNB criteria. This database is not comprehensive but it can show you a selection of relevant products.

Eurofins services

Eurofins Product Testing A/S can perform ISO 17025 accredited testing in accordance with California CDPH Section 01350. This is good enough for LEED because LEED does not require certification, testing by an independent and qualified laboratory is good enough.

Eurofins Product Testing A/S is listed as one of the laboratories for CA Section 01350 testing on CDPH homepage.

Eurofins Product Testing A/S also is one of the approved testing laboratories the reports of which are accepted for PRODIS/GUT labeling.

Contact to VOC Testing Laboratories

Please see here contact information of Eurofins VOC testing laboratories in Europe, USA and China:
www.eurofins.com/voc-contacts.

Order forms and testing request forms are available for free download here.

Note: "U.S. Green Building Council", "USGBC", "LEED" and related logos are trademarks owned by the U.S. Green Building Council and used by permission.