3. Learning Objectives:
1. Assess various sustainable building
and product certifications and their
similarities and differences
2. Discuss which certification is
applicable for different building and
product types
3. Recognize when “greenwashing” or
unsubstantiated environmental
claims are being made
4. Apply knowledge about sustainable
certifications to your ongoing projects
4. Outline:
1. Building Certifications
2. Professional Credentials
3. Green Building Codes
4. Green Product Certifications
6. LEED
Run by USGBC/GBCI
Comprehensive in Nature- Seven Categories:
Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and
Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor
Environment, Innovation and Design, Regional
Priority
Relies on Documentation- No On-Site Testing
Different Rating Systems are Available for Different
Types of Projects
Certification Lasts Forever (except O+M)
9. ENERGY STAR
Run by the Federal Government
Primarily Focused on Energy Use
Actual Energy Use, not Expected
Compares your Building to Others
No Certification Fees
Certification Lasts a Year
Not all Building Types are Eligible
One level of Certification Available
10. GREEN GLOBES
Certification Program that began in Europe
Operated in the US by the Green Building Initiative
Comprehensive in Nature- Seven Categories:
Energy, Indoor Environment, Site, Water,
Resources, Emissions and Project Management
Relies on Certified “Assessors” to Verify
Compliance
Includes Life Cycle Assessment Tools
Certification Fees are similar to LEED
Available for New Construction, Existing Buildings
and Residential
12. National Green Building Standard
Developed and Administered by the National
Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
Comprehensive in Nature- Six Categories: Lot
Design, Resource Efficiency, Energy Efficiency,
Water Efficiency, Indoor Environmental Quality, and
Operations, Maintenance and Education
Relies on Certified “Assessors” to Verify
Compliance
Certification Fees are similar to LEED (Slightly
Less)
Only Available For Residential Projects
13. National Green Building Standard
Each level has increasing minimum energy
performance requirements.
14. Building Energy Quotient
Developed by ASHRAE
Based on a Building Labeling System in use in
Europe
Only Deals with Energy Use
Two Labels Available: “As Designed” and “In
Operation”
Will rely on Certified Professionals for Energy
Modeling and in Operation Verification
Still in Pilot Phase- Scheduled to Launch in 2010
16. GREENGUARD
Developed by Greenguard Environmental Institute
Certifies Building Projects that Prevent and
Manage Moisture Intrusion During Design,
Construction, and Operation
Focuses Solely on Mold Prevention and Indoor Air
Quality Protection
Available for New Commercial and Residential
Buildings and Major Renovations.
18. LEED
Administered by GBCI
Requires Passing an Exam and Experience Criteria
Three Levels Available
Five Specialties Available
Attractive to Professionals in Many Industries,
Including Lawyers, Insurance Agents, Janitorial
Companies, etc.
Now Requires Continuing Education
Currently Recognized as the Top Sustainable
Design Credential
Certificetion also Available for “Green Raters”
19. GREEN GLOBES
Two Types: Green Globes Assessor (GGA) and
Green Globes Professional (GGP)
Requires an Industry Experience, Application,
Training and Passing an Exam
Ongoing Training is Required as the System
Evolves
The Certification Must be Renewed Every Two
Years
A Person Cannot be an GGA and a GGP
20. Green Advantage
Requires Passing an Open Book Exam
Two Types Available: Commercial and Residential
Certification is Good for 3 Years
Specifically Aimed at the Building Industry
Gaining Traction in the Construction Industry as a
Beneficial Certification
22. International Green Construction Code
Standard 189.1:Standard for the Design of High Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings
Developed by ASHRAE, ICC, USGBC and IES
Comprehensive- covers water use, energy use,
indoor environmental quality, materials and
resources, and site design
Not a Certification
Meant to be Adopted By Local Jurisdictions as Part
of the Building Code
No Longer Voluntary: Would be Enforced by Code
Officials
24. GREENGUARD
Developed by Greenguard Environmental Institute
Certifies a Wide Range of Product Types, Including
Adhesives and Sealants, Casework, Cleaning
Products, Insulation and More
Focuses almost Exclusively on Indoor Air Quality
Protection
Uses Chamber Testing to Evaluate VOC,
Formaldehyde, Particulate, Carbon Monoxide and
Carbon Dioxide Levels.
Has a Certification Program Specifically for
Children and Schools
Used by LEED for Furniture and Furnishings
25. Green Seal
Certifies a Wide Range Cleaning/Maintenance and
Building Products and now Entire Companies
Focuses on Indoor Air Quality and Life Cycle
Assessment
Certification is Based on Whether or Not the
Applicable Standard has Been Met
Used by LEED for Paints and Coatings, Adhesives
and Sealants and More.
26. Green Label Plus
Developed by the Carpet and Rug Institute
Certifies Carpet, Cushions and Adhesives
Focuses on Indoor Air Quality, Focusing on Low
VOC Content
Uses Chamber Testing to Evaluate IAQ Impacts of
Carpet Systems
Used by LEED for Carpet Systems
27. FloorScore
Developed by the Resilient Floor Covering Institute
Certifies Vinyl, Linoleum, Laminate, Engineered
Hardwood, Ceramic and Rubber Flooring and Wall
Base
Focuses on Indoor Air Quality, Focusing on Low
VOC Content
Uses Chamber Testing to Evaluate IAQ Impacts of
Carpet Systems
Used by LEED for Flooring Other than Carpet
28. Cradle to Cradle
Developed by MBDC
Certifies just about Any Consumer or Building
Product Type you can Think of
Assess a Wide Variety of Sustainability Criterion
with an Overall Focus on Life Cycle Assessment
Uses a Complex Assessment Chart that Looks at
Materials, Material Reutilization, Energy, Water and
Social Responsibility
Has Multiple Levels of Certification: (Basic, Silver,
Gold and Platinum)
Can be Used to Achieve a LEED ID Point
29. FSC Certification
Developed by the Forest Stewardship Council
Certifies Forestry Practices and Manufactures that
Work with FSC Certified Materials
Different Certifications Available for Wood and
Paper Products
Looks at the Three Ps of Sustainability
Currently the Only Acceptable Wood Certification
for LEED
30. EcoLogo
Developed by Environmental Choice
Certifies a Wide Range of Product Types, Including
Cleaning Supplies, Product Packaging, Paper
Products, Printing Products and even Events
Focuses on Many Aspects of Sustainability for
Indoor Environmental Quality to Emissions and
Resource Conservation
Used by LEED for Cleaning Supply Standards
Environmental Choice Develops their own
Standards for Use in Certification
31. Thank you!
Any questions?
SHP LEADING DESIGN
4805 Montgomery Road Suite 400
Cincinnati, OH 45212
