Of all the IEQc4 credits, IEQc4.5 can be among the most straightforward point to earn, especially if you choose to meet the credit by using Greenguard Indoor Air Quality certified furniture. Teams may find it difficult or costly, however, to meet their needs for all furniture through Greenguard, due to somewhat limited choices. 

Pick furniture from an approved list when possible

Option 1 Greenguard Indoor Air Quality certified furniture is the most straightforward option to earn this credit. You simply go to the Greenguard website (see Resources) and choose from the list of certified furniture and furniture systems. 

Option 2 requires a testing protocol based on ANSI/BIFMA standards M7.1-2007 and X7.1-2007, and must be performed by a third-party testing laboratory. There are a number of products that have already been tested but it’s not as easy to find these products as it is to find Greenguard-certified products. If a piece of furniture has not been tested or you have trouble finding compliant furniture, you will need to have the furniture tested. 

For Option 2 there are also lists of certified products available for the other protocols on websites such as Scientific Certification Systems.

Know what does and does not have to comply

It is typically best for a project to look for as much Greenguard systems furniture and seating as possible. For any pieces of furniture that cannot be found Greenguard-certified you can go through one of the other testing methods. 

Used or reused furniture (older than one year) is exempt from the credit requirements as long as it was not refurbished or refinished within the last year. For projects reusing most of their old furniture (or installing used furniture), or only a few, new pieces, this credit is simple to achieve. Projects must purchase at least some new furniture in order achieve the credit, however—no action, no credit. 

Note that only systems furniture and the task or guest chairs that go with it have to comply. Occasional furniture does not have to meet the requirements for example, lobby and conference room furniture. Systems furniture can be one of two things:

1. a panel-based workstation with attached storage components, or
2. freestanding groupings of furniture designed to work together.

Allow adequate time for product research. Researching compliant products before construction begins—and providing a list of acceptable materials—helps ensure that the right products are used. The person in charge of purchasing furniture needs to understand the standards and credit requirements in order to know how to verify that products are compliant. This information can usually be found on the product data sheet.