According to a recent UL survey, architects, builders and contractors report that a significant number of projects they undertake have clear sustainability goals that require environmentally preferable products. Driven largely by public interest in minimizing the potential environmental impact of building products, architects and builders now actively embrace “green” initiatives, such as the new International Green Construction Code (IgCC™) and the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) program developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
Now manufacturers and buyers are raising questions about just how to meet this growing demand and how exactly they should evaluate and compare the lifecycle-based environmental profiles of similar building products and materials.
- What is the significance of a product bearing an “eco-label”?
- What are the differences between various types of product eco-certifications?
- What mechanisms exist to support comparisons between similar products?
- What steps can manufacturers take to bring environmentally preferable products to market as efficiently and as cost effectively as possible?
Earlier this year, UL published a white paper on this topic, which provides a detailed overview of this topic to help architects, designers and specifiers make informed decisions. The paper provides:
- Update on current industry trends in sustainable buildings and building products space
- An overview of green building certification programs and codes, including LEED, IgCC, Green Globes, Living Building Challenge, and more. -
- A walk-through of tools for demonstrating product environmental performance and a guide to the types of certifications, eco-labels and declarations
- Details around the LEED Material Disclosure and Assessment Pilot Credit
- Tips for achieving performance and transparency in environmental certifications
The full white paper is available below for free download. For further information about UL’s environmental product declaration and certification programs, please contact us with the side Contact button.