LEED® Purchase Specifications - VOC
Eurofins Product Testing A/S developed suggestions for texts for use in calls for tender and in purchase contracts specifying low VOC products for a project earning points for LEED® projects by fulfilling EQ credits 4.1-4.6.
EQ here means Environmental Quality. Credit here means specification or requirement to which the product can contribute.
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.
Along with the US specifications as defined in LEED®, we are also showing alternative paths of compliance, based on European testing standards and ecolabels. These are technically equivalent or even more stringent. Nevertheless these European labels are formally not yet accepted by LEED®, and there is quite some risk that a LEED® reviewer will not accept such documentation until a formal Credit Interpretation Ruling (CIR) had been done.
There will be significant changes of LEED in April 2012. When these have been established you will find updated documents for download, as a service to architects, building engineers and commissioners:
- in English
: Suggested LEED® specifications for procurement (EQ credits 4.1-4.6) - in German
: Entwurf für Ausschreibungstexte für LEED®-konforme Produkte (EQ credits 4.1-4.6)
Please note:
- There will be an update of these texts in late June, 2012.
- These specifications refer to the US version of LEED, not yet covering the modifications in LEED version for Italy.
- Please note that certain materials may contribute to LEED® projects not only with low VOC properties, but also with other attributes such as content of recyclable material, contribution to thermal insulation, and more.
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 can show you a selection of relevant products.
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.
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.