Hello,
I am working on a project in Spain and we are having trouble finding materials that comply with the requirements (especially paints). Most of the providers don't have a General Emissions Evaluation like the ones specified in the third party certifications matrix. (https://www.usgbc.org/sites/default/files/Low%20Emitting%20Third%20Party%20Certifications%20and%20Labels%20June%202017.pdf)
One of our providers has a product with the TÜV mark, that is, certified under the TÜV SÜD test standard "TM 07 Dispersion Pains". This standard is based on ISO 16000-9, which is one of the accepted test methods for projects outside the U.S. And the standard tests the product under 7 days instead of 14, which is more strict that LEED. On the other hand, the formaldehyde limit on this test is 100μg/m³ which is higher than the CPDH test (I think it is 9μg/m³) but the maximum detected was 6μg/m³ after 3 days and 4μg/m³ after 7 days. So, will this comply with credit requirements or should we find other products tested under the specific standards listed in the matrix?
Thanks in advance.
Kind Regards,
F. Borja
Reinhard Oppl
Independent consultant on VOC issuesformerly with Eurofins Product Testing A/S
329 thumbs up
March 5, 2018 - 1:36 pm
Hola, Sorry, that mark is not compliant with the LEED requirements. But there are several multinational paint manufacturers, active on a large number of markets, who will have paints in their portfolio that have LEED compliant VOC emissions. Most local producers will not take the financial burden to go for such documentation. Just continue challenging them.