Languages: en fr de 

Webinars on VOC regulations and labels
Following the success of our webinars on French VOC regulation, there will be webinars on several VOC related issues in late spring 2012, in three languages.
Read more

Eurofins Product Testing - LEED® for non-Textile Flooring Systems

Please also click below for more general information LEED membership logo gray

LEED for non-textile floorings

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.

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 now open for public comment

LEED 2012 with important changes and additions now is open for 2nd public comment between August 01 and September 14, 2011. 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 of paints and coatings 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 national organisations or our specialists for using Eurofins expertise that may help to establish sustainable and green buildings.

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

Further contacts regarding LEED:

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

Your direct contacts:

Direct contact to Eurofins Product Testing A/S, the world market leader for VOC emissions chamber testing:

Eurofins Product Testing A/S
Smedeskovvej 38
8464 Galten
Denmark

Phone: +45 7022 4276

US office:

2200 Rittenhouse St., Suite 150
Des Moines, IA  50321
Phone +1-515-362-5937

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.