PRODUCT CERTIFICATIONS

RETAIL PROJECT CERTIFICATIONS

Following are resources to help you understand the certifications available for projects and products. (This page lists resources only. For news on certification activity, please visit our green news page.)

PRODUCT CERTIFICATIONS

Behind the Logos: Understanding Green Product Certifications Environmental Building News report offering a comprehensive explanation of product certifications.

CAN/CSA Z809 Canada's national standard on sustainable forest management.

Climate Cool™ Certification for products, services, and enterprises that offset greenhouse gas emissions.

EcoLogo Certification of the Environmental Choice Program, Environment Canada's ecolabelling program, for environmentally preferable products including flooring, paints and finishes, raw materials, HVAC systems, and other building products.

eLCie System™ Third-party system for a life cycle assessment rating for materials and products.

ENERGY STAR Designation for energy-efficient lighting and other products through a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.

EPP Grademark Composite Panel Association certification program for wood composite products that use recycled and/or recovered wood fiber and adhere to voluntarily lower formaldehyde emission standards than government regulations.

EPP Downstream Composite Panel Association certification program for facilities that purchase at least 50% CPA EPP certified composite wood products.

Floorscore Certification developed by the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) in conjunction with Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) regarding a product's impact on indoor air quality.

FSC Two types of Forest Stewardship Council certificates available from FSC-accredited certification bodies: Forest Management (FM) and Chain of Custody (COC).

FSC Chain of Custody Forest Stewardship Council certification regarding the source of a forest product.

FSC Controlled Wood Forest Stewardship Council designation regarding the source of wood. Controlled Wood is not FSC-certified.

FSC Forest Management Forest Stewardship Council certification regarding forest management.

Getting Green: The Certification Process WoodDigest article with tips on getting products such as cabinets certified as FSC Chain of Custody (principles may apply to some store fixtures).

Green Label and Green Label Plus Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) certification designating low-emitting carpets, adhesives, and cushions.

Green Seal Certification Certifications for commercial adhesives, paints, anti-corrosive paints, recycled content latex paints, compact fluorescent lamps, and other products.

GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified® Product certification program for low-emitting interior building materials, furnishings, and finish systems.

GreenSure™ Sherwin-Williams proprietary designation for its low-VOC and VOC-free finishes that meet the manufacturer's environmentally preferable criteria.

ISO 14001 International standards on environmental management against which an organization can be certified by a third party.

MBDC Cradle to Cradle Certification McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry certification of achievement in environmentally intelligent product design considering use of environmentally safe and healthy materials; design for material reutilization, such as recycling or composting; use of renewable energy and energy efficiency; efficient use of water, and maximum water quality associated with production; and strategies for social responsibility.

SCS Biodegradability Scientific Certification Systems certification regarding the biodegradability of a product.

SCS Sustainable Choice Scientific Certification Systems certification regarding the environmental aspects of a carpet or building product.

Sustainable Carpet Scientific Certification Systems certifications for carpeting and rugs.

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RETAIL PROJECT CERTIFICATIONS

GREENGUARD for Building Construction℠ Building certification program for newly constructed commercial properties that follow best practice guidelines for preventing mold during the design, construction, and ongoing operations.

LEED® Canada CaGBC adaptation of the USGBC's LEED system, tailored for Canadian climates, construction practices, and regulations.

LEED for Neighborhood Development U.S. Green Building Council pilot program for rating residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects developed by a single entity using the principles of smart growth, new urbanism, and green building .

LEED for Retail U.S. Green Building Council certification program consisting of two rating systems, LEED for Retail - New Construction and LEED for Retail - Commercial Interiors.

LEED for Retail - New Construction U.S. Green Building Council certification program for retail projects that involve new construction or major renovations.

LEED for Retail - Commercial Interiors U.S. Green Building Council certification program for tenant improvement retail projects.