GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certification

GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (www.greenguard.org) has established performance based standards to define goods with low chemical and particle emissions for use indoors, primarily building materials, interior furnishings, furniture, cleaning and maintenance products, electronic equipment, and personal care products. The standard establishes certification procedures including test methods, allowable emissions levels, product sample collection and handling, testing type and frequency, and program application processes and acceptance.

Below is a list of our suppliers that manufacture Greenguard Indoor Air Quality Certified® products.

FAQ

What does it mean if a product carries the GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified® Mark?
The Mark means that the product has been tested using stringent environmental chamber methods and found to meet the GREENGUARD Standards for Low Emitting Products. GREENGUARD Certified Products are low emitting and contribute minimal levels of pollutants to indoor environments. To ensure continuous low emissions performance GREENGUARD Certified Products are retested annually and critical components of these products undergo quarterly monitoring tests.

What organization stands behind the Mark?
The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) governs and administers GREENGUARD Certification. The GEI is an industry-independent, non-profit organization, which was founded to improve public health and quality of life by testing and certifying low emitting products and materials and helping manufacturers build better and safer products. As an ANSI Accredited Standards Developer, the GEI establishes acceptable standards for indoor products and testing protocols. A Certification Advisory Board of indoor air quality, public health, and green design experts reviews the GREENGUARD Certification Processes and ensures their acceptance and timeliness.

The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) governs and administers GREENGUARD
Certification. The GEI is an industry-independent, non-profit organization, which was founded to improve public health and quality of life by testing and certifying low emitting products and materials and helping manufacturers build better and safer products. As an ANSI Accredited Standards Developer, the GEI establishes acceptable standards for indoor products and testing protocols. A Certification Advisory Board of indoor air quality, public health, and green design experts reviews the GREENGUARD Certification Processes and ensures their acceptance and timeliness.

Why is the GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified Mark so important?
Third party product certification is crucial. Product manufacturers and industry organizations are challenged on claims regarding the indoor air quality and environmental performance of their products. How reliable are such claims without third party verification? The GEI is an industry independent, non-profit organization that is completely unbiased in determining whether a product meets the GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Standards and whether a product may bear the GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified Mark.

Additionally, GREENGUARD Certification allows us to compete in jobs hoping to attain LEED Certification. In 2006 all new GSA buildings need to achieve at least Silver LEED Certification. Many Educational and Healthcare institutions are also pursuing LEED Certification. This is growing trend we are sure to see more of.

Using furniture suppliers that are GREENGUARD certified is very helpful in achieving LEEDCI (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – Commercial Interiors) certification and LEED NC (New Construction) – something many educational institutions and environmentally conscious businesses are pursing. LEED-CI operates on a points system. If a business chooses a GREENGUARD certified furniture supplier a point is given towards achieving LEED certification. It does not sound like much, but is one point can be a HUGE help.

Why should End-Users implement GREENGUARD Certified Products?
According to the U.S. EPA “Thousands of chemical and biological pollutants are found indoors, many of which are known to have significant health impacts.” Americans spend over 90% of their time indoors where concentrations of pollutants may be significantly higher than outdoors. Almost all materials and products used indoors emit chemicals and particles that may negatively affect occupant health. The use of GREENGUARD Certified Products prevents indoor air pollution at the source and can significantly reduce the levels of pollutants in the indoor air.

Furnish your office with GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified® office furniture. Contact @ the Office today and experience the best in office design, service and installation.