An excellent indicator of GREENGUARD’s merit in the environmental marketplace is that GREENGUARD Standards for Low-Emitting Products are included in many guidelines and specifications as a resource or referenced standard for sustainable design and construction. The following represent some of the places where GREENGUARD is specified.

GREENGUARD Certification as a Reference Standard

CHPS Best Practices Manual Volume III, EQ2.2 – Low-Emitting Materials
U.S. Green Building Council's LEED for Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI) and LEED for Schools Draft
Green Guideline for Healthcare
NAHB’s Model Green Home Building Guidelines
City of Portland's G/Rated Tenant Improvement Guide
Washington Sustainable Schools: Protocol for High-Performance School Facilities
New York City Department of Design and Construction Office of Sustainable Design Specifications
City of Aspen and Pitkin County
City of Austin Greenbuilding Program

GREENGUARD Certification as a Resource

City of Boston Environment Department Guidelines for High Performance Buildings and Sustainable Development
(Seattle) King County Online Resources for Built Green Projects
San Francisco Practical Tools for Green Building Design & Analysis
City of Santa Monica Green Building Materials Selection and Specification Guide

Most recently, products certified under the GREENGUARD Children & Schools program have been officially recognized in the CHPS Best Practices Manual Volume III as criteria for low-emitting materials (EQ2.2). The standard site the following types of products: all flooring, adhesives, sealants, and concrete sealants; carpet; resilient flooring; wood flooring; paints; thermal insulation; gypsum board; acoustical ceilings and wall panels; cabinetry; desk and chairs; and composite wood products.

GREENGUARD-certified products also are specified in the LEED-CI IEQ Credit 4.5 Low-Emitting Materials – System Furniture, and this credit is an Automatic Innovation & Design Credit in all other LEED rating systems. As LEED develops new programs for defining the best practices for green building, GREENGUARD is recognized by the USGBC, and those who seek LEED certification, as maintaining the most rigorous standards for certifying products, materials and buildings. Especially in buildings seeking to achieve LEED Silver, Gold and Platinum levels, GREENGUARD-certified products and materials have been applied to achieve possible points. As more companies, organizations and consumers pursue green building initiatives, GREENGUARD continues to set the highest standards for indoor air quality (IAQ).