expiration date of laboratory tests

I do not know if there is a specific time period reference in the credit requirements (I did not find any either), but this is a comment we got for Low Emitting materials in a recent review for a v4 BD+C:

"The documentation provided for the following products does not satisfy the criteria for a qualifying general emissions evaluation:

- Material X (test date is not within the past five years / certification period not stated)" 

Per GBCI:

"Note that manufacturer claims are handled a little differently as they have only a test date rather than a certification period. For manufacturer claims on v4 projects and those using the v4.1 substitution, Reviewers will generally allow a test date up to about five years old without questioning whether it is still valid. For manufacturer claims on v4.1 projects registered after the November 2020 addenda, claims must be less than three years old. Claims with a test date that occurs after the project’s construction phase will not be accepted."

Hi Agata,

I have had a similar case with a certificate that was too old. I did provide a letter from the manufacturer that there was no reformulation or change of any kind and it was approved.

Validity of VOC emission test results that are over five years old can be difficult to ascertain.  The product type can make a big difference.  For heavily controlled products that are highly dependent on material constituents or ingredients, e.g. paints, sealants and adhesives, the manufacturers are likely better able to maintain deep control over potential variations. 

For products like furniture, where a broad variety of materials, combinations, vendors, and components are involved it can be much more difficult for a manufacturer to maintain tight control on potential variations that can affect VOC emissions and timing.  The ANSI/BIFMA X7.1 Standard for Formaldehyde and TVOC Emissions of Low-emitting Office Furniture and Seating includes extensive detail on retesting intervals, and states in part:  "For purposes of claiming ongoing compliance to this standard, systems (including individual workstation components and/or furniture items) and seating products shall be retested at an interval not exceeding three years."