ATLANTA –The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) launched GREENGUARD Premier SM, a comprehensive product certification pilot program incorporating existing stringent indoor air quality criteria, additional chemical emission requirements and new content requirements for critical chemicals. The new program will utilize exposure assessments that address primary uses of products in a home, office, healthcare or school environment.

By combining key criteria for formaldehyde and other volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from established indoor air quality standards (such as California’s section 01350 and GREENGUARD Children & SchoolsSM Certification) with additional guidelines on toxic substances from nationally established public health agencies, the new program will guide manufacturers in meeting today’s holistic market needs.

Key elements added to the new health-based standard will be additional guidelines for acute exposure (short term), assessment of reproductive and carcinogenic substances and control of critical pollutants including lead and phthalates. The new pilot program offers an integrated and stringent approach to controlling indoor sources of environmental pollutants.

GEI has called on manufacturers that are currently participating in the GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified or GREENGUARD Children & Schools Certified Certification Programs as pilot participants.

For more information and a complete listing of certified products, visit www.greenguard.org.