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06/18/10: GREENGUARD Environmental Institute Launches International Presence; Opens Asia-Pacific Headquarters in Beijing, China
Contact:
Rachel R. Belew
PR & Communications Manager
678.444.4047 or 678.548.7889
rbelew@greenguard.org
GREENGUARD Environmental Institute Launches International Presence;
Opens Asia-Pacific Headquarters in Beijing, China
Fully-staffed
office to work directly with product manufacturers in the Asia-Pacific
region to certify products for low chemical emissions and help reduce
indoor air pollution
(Beijing, China)-In
a major move toward global expansion, the GREENGUARD
Environmental Institute (GEI) announced today the successful debut
of its overseas operations in Beijing, China-including the launch of
its new Chinese Web site, greenguard.org/zh-CHS/index.aspx.
GEI's Beijing headquarters
serve the entire Asia-Pacific market-including China, Taiwan, Japan,
Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, South Korea, Philippines, and Thailand-and
will work with manufacturers in those nations to produce low-emitting
building products and materials for local and international markets.
The office is expected to benefit a variety of GREENGUARD stakeholders,
including U.S. and foreign consumers; U.S. and foreign manufacturers;
and U.S. and foreign product suppliers and distributors.
"So many products
sold in the U.S. today are manufactured in China and surrounding nations,"
says Henning Bloech, executive
director of GEI. "We saw a clear need to help those manufacturers
produce high-quality, low-emitting products that create healthier indoor
environments-and it just made sense to offer them assistance on their
own soil. This is an incredible opportunity to make a lasting, positive
impact on building products and materials that are manufactured in,
sold in, and exported from the Asia-Pacific region."
Preliminary market
research conducted on behalf of GEI revealed that the Chinese middle
class has a growing interest in "greener," healthier living
and a heightened concern over poor air quality. China's air pollution
levels are severe, according to The
World Bank, and the World
Health Organization calls the state of the environment in China
"a major health concern."
"Because of
the severity of the outdoor air pollution in China, many families seek
protection from the elements inside their homes. Unfortunately, indoor
air pollution is also a major problem, so the need for pollutant source
control there is critical," says Ted
Revis, who oversees GEI's China-based operations along with Melanie
Chen, managing director. "The response we've gotten so far
has been tremendous: already, over a dozen manufacturers have either
signed up for or achieved GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certification
and/or GREENGUARD Children & SchoolsSM Certification.
This is a monumental step toward improving the indoor air quality of
buildings in China."
A full-time on-site
staff provides technical, marketing, sales, and new and ongoing customer
support directly from the Beijing office to manufacturers throughout
the Asia-Pacific region. In addition, the GREENGUARD
Chinese Web site will serve as a valuable learning tool to Chinese
manufacturers and the Chinese public.
Manufacturers that
have already achieved GREENGUARD Certification out of the Beijing headquarters
include Sheenmax
(furniture); Castle
Mark (furniture); Vicostone
(surfacing material); Zhejiang
Qianglong Seating; and Concept
Furniture.
About GREENGUARD
Environmental Institute (GEI)
The GREENGUARD Environmental
Institute aims to protect human health and improve quality of life by
enhancing indoor air quality and reducing people's exposure to chemicals
and other pollutants. As an ISO-IEC Guide 65:1996 accredited, third-party
organization, the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute certifies products
and materials for low chemical emissions and provides a resource for
choosing healthier products and materials for indoor environments. All
certified products must meet stringent chemical emissions standards
based on established criteria from key public health agencies. GREENGUARD
Certification is broadly recognized and accepted by sustainable building
programs and building codes worldwide. For more information and a complete
listing of certified products, visit www.greenguard.org.
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