Posts Tagged ‘greenguard’

The Future of EcoLabeling

July 14th, 2010 in Green    No Comments

To better understand and discern between environmental product claims, A&D professionals need to stay apprised as to the latest developments in EcoLabeling.

EcoLabels in the interior design industry are following a trajectory similar to that of other industries. Starting with single-criteria labels, product labels progress to multi-criteria labels and eventually shift to comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)-based labeling. While SCS Indoor Advantage and GREENGUARD have proven to be effective single-criteria EcoLabels, and level expands the criteria through the supply chain, the author believes that LCA is a logical future step for product labels in the furniture industry. LCA more effectively addresses a comprehensive set of environmental impacts and any associated trade-offs by evaluating a product’s consequences from “cradle-to-grave”. (more…)

To Avoid Volatile Chemicals, Check Greenguard’s Ratings

February 26th, 2005 in Health    No Comments

Companies are becoming more aware of the issue of indoor air quality and are increasingly looking for building materials and furnishings that emit low levels of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), unstable compounds that off-gas into the air. One place to find information about low-emitting products is the website of the Greenguard Environmental Institute at www.greenguard.org. This organization tests the emissions given off by building products, furniture, draperies and carpet and certifies the ones that meet its emission standards, a combination of standards set by the EPA, the State of Washington and several European governments. Greenguard tests for some 65 chemical compounds, including human carcinogens like formaldehyde.

Source: The Washington Post; Feb 26, 2005