NORTHBROOK, Ill., June 16, 2011 – UL Environment Inc., a business unit of UL (Underwriters Laboratories), and its affiliates are among the first organizations whose services help building products qualify for the recently released Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Pilot Credit 43, Certified Products. LEED has become synonymous with Green Building over the last decade and is the name of the green building guidelines set forth by the US Green Building Council (USGBC).  Projects earn points that contribute to meeting the LEED requirements. Today’s announcement acknowledges that qualified products evaluated by UL Environment can contribute extra innovation points toward LEED certification. 
 
The recently released pilot credit, which serves as a “trial run” credit before its formal adoption into the LEED rating system, rewards LEED projects for using products whose life cycles, ingredients, and other environmental attributes are high performing and more transparent. UL Environment’s Sustainable Product Certification, Environmental Claims Validation, and Environmental Product Declarations can now enable manufacturers to meet this requirement.  UL’s affiliate program run by Terrachoice in Canada, the EcoLogo program, also qualifies.  
 
“This move toward increased performance, transparency, authenticity and third-party verification of manufacturers’ claims will help transform the market,” said Steve Wenc, president of UL Environment. “Our goal is to bring clarity to the marketplace and we’re thrilled to be a part of USGBC’s high standards for buildings.” 
 
To achieve the new pilot credit, LEED projects must demonstrate that, based on value, at least 10 percent of non-structural products meet one of the following requirements: 
* have environmental claims verified by a third party;
* are certified to third-party multi-attribute performance standards; or
* are accompanied by a life cycle assessment report or a third-party verified Environmental Product Declaration. 
 
All products and materials used for the pilot credit must meet minimum low emissions requirements as a
prerequisite to ensure indoor air quality. Products can meet the prerequisite by achieving GREENGUARD Children and Schools Certification.  The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute is also part of the UL global network. 
 
Among the non-structural product types that qualify under the new pilot credit are gypsum board, doors, insulation, heating and cooling systems, hot water tanks, office furniture and panel systems, sealants, caulking, adhesives, carpet, tile, and other flooring—all of which have a UL Environment or EcoLogo sustainability standard.  Several additional product standards, including ceiling tiles and luminaires, are under development and expected to be released later this year.
 
Swinging doors will also be eligible for pilot credit qualification with UL Environment’s recently announced UL ISR 102, which establishes sustainability certification criteria for doors that are meant to swing, hang or glide. 
 
UL Environment is poised to build upon UL’s long history of standards development, testing, compliance, and training to help today’s manufacturers clearly communicate product performance and environmental impact. UL Environment can certify to independent standards and regulations, summarize environmental product life cycle data in Environmental Product Declarations, and test a wide range of environmental attributes—from recycled content and energy efficiency to water usage and product emissions.
 
To assist architects, manufacturers and other stakeholders understand the requirements of the new pilot credit, UL University, the education arm of UL, has developed a new online course for LEED project teams.  It’s also expected that the free webinar, scheduled for June 28, 2011, will support continuing education requirements for LEED accredited professionals, architects and designers. Those interested can learn more and register for the course by visitingwww.leedproductcredit.com.