A couple important bits of intel from my research in the last few days.
1. Any product that has undergone emissions testing based on CDPH Standard Method v1.1–2010 has actually had the 14-day TVOC test done. This includes (but isn't limited to) anything that's certified Indoor Advantage Gold, Greenguard, Floor Score, CRI Green Label Plus, etc. Some manufacturers or their reps may not realize they have this data. If they've been certified under any CDPH Method-based program, they do have it, and in order to comply, they just need to hand it over to you. Some manufacturers may be reluctant to hand it over because their total VOCs are high. Remember that a high TVOC number doesn't disqualify the product.
2. Greenguard Gold requires products to meet the lowest total VOC threshold on the 14-day test. This means that any Greenguard Gold-certified product AUTOMATICALLY meets this credit because the manufacturer has in effect disclosed to you that its product falls into the lowest emissions tier for TVOCs.
3. In addition, that TVOC info is also now disclosed on GG Gold cetificates. It's my understanding that new Indoor Advantage Gold certs should now have the TVOC dislcosure as well. I'm not sure when other programs plan to follow.
I hope this is helpful for anyone who's struggling to meet the requirements. This credit HAS been achieved on non-beta projects, according to USGBC.
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Ben Campbell
December 17, 2015 - 11:32 pm
This is super helpful, Paula. Thank you. I wasn't aware that Green Label Plus referenced CDPH. I had assumed it didn't because it wasn't noted in the USGBC's 3rd party certification table last time I checked, but sure enough they added it November 24. This is a relief and will make documenting the flooring component of the credit much easier.
Randal Carter
Director, Global Product Safety and ComplianceSteelcase Inc.
91 thumbs up
December 18, 2015 - 6:17 am
Paula is correct, requiring the TVOC reporting in the ranges specified was new in LEED v4 for products and materials tested to the CDPH Standard Method v1.1-2010 but testing and reporting the TVOC value to manufacturers was always part of the CDPH method. This does not mean these products cannot comply even though they may have higher levels of TVOC emissions. Reporting the TVOC range for LEED credit allows users to make a more informed choice.
However, the furniture requirements (defined in ANSI/BIFMA e3-2011 Section 7.6.1) already went further by requiring furniture to be below the lowest specified TVOC value in this credit at an even earlier, 7 day time point. Thus furniture documentation was not required to report the TVOC range for LEED.
Michelle Halle Stern
Senior Sustainability ConsultantGreenwood Consulting Group
120 thumbs up
December 18, 2015 - 8:30 am
There is an education campaign required here as well so manufacturers know the TVOC range is required. Every disclosure document I looked at a year ago omitted this information, so teams needed to ask for it separately. Hopefully that is changing.