Standards

The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) strives to protect human health and quality of life by establishing standards and certification programs to reduce exposure to chemicals and to improve indoor air quality. As an ANSI standards developer, GEI follows defined procedural processes in establishing its program standards. The GREENGUARD standards are among the most stringent indoor air quality standards in the world, and they are based on available standards and guidelines from national and international public health agencies. Not all GREENGUARD standards are ANSI standards. However, all GREENGUARD standards are documented, publicly available (along with test protocols) and have been reviewed by public health/toxicology advisory groups.

Building Standards

Product Standards

GREENGUARD IAQ Standard for Building Materials, Finishes and Furnishings
GREENGUARD Children & Schools
GREENGUARD IAQ Standard for Office Equipment (Hard Copy Devices)
GREENGUARD Standard for Electronic Equipment
GREENGUARD IAQ Standard for Cleaners and Cleaning Maintenance Systems
GREENGUARD Select Standard

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This American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved standard is used to certify new construction and renovation projects that follow best practice guidelines for preventing moisture intrusion during the design, construction and operation phases of a building. Building projects undergo comprehensive evaluations, which involve document review, implementation of a mold and moisture management plan, building clearance testing, and operations staff training. To purchase an electronic copy or hard copy please click here.

GGPS.001.GREENGUARD IAQ Standard for Building Materials, Finishes and Furnishings
This nationally recognized voluntary standard establishes requirements for qualifying building materials, finishes and furnishings as certified low-emitting products for indoor environments. The standard is applicable to the determination of organic emissions from numerous building materials, finishes and furnishings. This is a product emissions performance-based standard, and as such, the complete toxicity effects of the chemical emissions from the products tested are beyond its scope. Products meeting this standard can achieve certification under the GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certification program.

Environmental test chambers and indoor exposure models are used to characterize emissions performance of products and their components. Achievement of test results requires rigorous sample selection procedures, defined sample collection and handling procedures, and implementation of precise and accurate analytical measurement systems and procedures. Additionally, the product manufacturer must have a production quality control system in place that is capable of assuring that products are manufactured consistently with similar emissions characteristics over time. Emission criteria are established for total VOC (TVOC), formaldehyde, total aldehydes, all individual chemicals with currently published Threshold Limit Values (TLVs), respirable particles and certain odorants and irritants. In addition, all products are screened and reported for carcinogens and reproductive toxins as listed by key government and regulatory programs. Emission criteria may vary based on the product formulation and its use.

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GGPS.002.GREENGUARD Children & Schools^SM Standard
This nationally recognized voluntary standard establishes requirements for qualifying building materials, finishes and furnishings as certified low-emitting products for indoor environments, specifically the educational environment for children and other environments where people may spend extended periods of time. The standard is applicable to the determination of organic emissions from building materials, finishes and furnishings. The effects of the emissions as they may relate to young children are partially addressed; however a complete toxicity study is beyond the scope of the standard. Products meeting this standard can achieve certification under the Children & Schools Certification Program.

Environmental test chambers and indoor exposure models are used to characterize dynamic emissions from products and their components. Achievement of test results requires rigorous sample selection procedures, defined sample collection and handling procedures, and implementation of precise and accurate analytical measurement systems and procedures. Additionally, the product manufacturer must have a production quality control system in place that is capable of assuring that products are manufactured consistently with similar emissions characteristics over time.

Children are more heavily exposed to environmental toxins than adults. They consume more food, water, and have higher inhalation rates per pound of body weight than adults. To account for inhalation exposure to young children with greater sensitivities, a body burden correction factor has been applied to current allowable emission levels from indoor materials and furnishings. In addition, the exposure to individual volatile chemicals has been adjusted to allow no greater than 1/100 currently published Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) or no greater than ½ California's Chronic Reference Exposure Levels (CRELs), whichever is lower. The total VOC or TVOC measurement takes into account the complex mixture of all VOCs found to be emitting from the product including those with and without TLVs or CRELs.

In addition, limits on emissions of phthalates have been added to the list of requirements. Recent research indicates that inhalation is an important route of exposure to phthalates, and that these chemicals have been associated with endocrine disorders, reproductive and developmental toxicity, asthma and allergies.

This standard is applicable to the determination of organic emissions from office equipment that print and copy. This is a product emissions performance-based standard, and as such, the complete toxicity effects of the chemical emissions are beyond the its scope. Products achieving this standard will meet the Blue Angel RAL-UZ 122 emission requirements and are recognized as certified under the GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certification Program.

Environmental test chambers and indoor exposure models are used to characterize emissions performance of products and their components. Achievement of test results require rigorous sample selection procedures, defined sample collection and handling procedures, and the employment of precise and accurate analytical measurement systems and procedures. Additionally, the product manufacturer must have a production quality control system in place that is capable of assuring that products are manufactured consistently with close results in similar emissions characteristics over time. Such relevant requirements are set forth in standards and procedures that are referenced by this standard.

Emission criteria as established by Germany’s Blue Angel Program for hard copy devices and the accompanying test method (Standard RAL-UZ 122) are used in this standard. Products must meet the Blue Angel emission requirements for ozone, total dust, benzene, styrene and TVOC, in addition to GREENGUARD-specific requirements for formaldehyde, respirable particles and specific individual VOCs.

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GGPS.004.GREENGUARD IAQ Standard for Electronic Equipment
This standard is applicable to the determination of organic emissions from electronic equipment including consumer electronics, medical devices and non-print office equipment. While this standard may list specific chemicals and associated maximum allowable concentrations, as recommended in certain indoor air guidelines and specifications, a complete toxicity study is beyond its scope. Products meeting this standard can achieve certification under the GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certification Program and Children & Schools Certification Program.

Environmental test chambers and indoor exposure models are used to characterize emissions performance of products and their components. Achievement of test results require rigorous sample selection procedures, defined sample collection and handling procedures, and the employment of precise and accurate analytical measurement systems and procedures. Additionally, the product manufacturer must have a production quality control system that is capable of assuring that products are manufactured consistently with similar emissions characteristics over time. Such relevant requirements are set forth in standards and procedures that are referenced by this standard.

This standard includes a review of measured chemical emissions across a broad range of risk based exposure levels established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the state of California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), in addition to the requirements of the GREENGUARD Children & Schools Standard. This standard requires product emissions be less than defined risk-based air concentration levels for both acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) exposures.

GGPS.005.GREENGUARD IAQ Standard for Cleaners and Cleaning Maintenance Systems
This standard is applicable to the determination of organic emissions from cleaners and cleaning maintenance systems. While this standard may list specific chemicals and associated maximum allowable concentrations, as recommended in certain indoor air guidelines and specifications, a complete toxicity study is beyond its scope. Products meeting this standard can achieve certification under the GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certification program and Children & Schools Certification program.

Environmental test chambers and indoor exposure models are used to characterize emissions performance of products and their components. The achievement of test results require rigorous sample selection procedures, defined sample collection and handling procedures, and the employment of precise and accurate analytical measurement systems and procedures. Additionally, the product manufacturer must have a production quality control system in place that is capable of assuring that products are manufactured consistently with similar emissions characteristics over time. Such relevant requirements are set forth in standards and procedures that are referenced by this standard.

This standard includes a review of measured chemical emissions across a broad range of risk based exposure levels established by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the State of California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), in addition to the requirements of the GREENGUARD Children & Schools Standard. This standard requires product emissions be less than defined risk-based air concentration levels for both acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) exposures.

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GGPS.007.GREENGUARD Select Standard
GREENGUARD Select adds market clarity by certifying products for use in specific environments—commercial, educational, healthcare and home. The GREENGUARD Select Certification Program^SM offers manufacturers increased flexibility—and choice—when it comes to communicating their product emissions performance to the marketplace. Participating in this elite program demonstrates market leadership in minimizing chemical exposure from products based on recommendations and requirements from public health agencies. GREENGUARD Select uses the stringent emissions criteria of the GREENGUARD Children & Schools Certification Program^SM with additions to meet the latest scientific and market requirements. Key additions and updates include:

• Volatile organic compound (VOC) content limits
• Lower formaldehyde emissions requirements (driven by California Air Resources Board and California Department of Public Health’s 2012 CA 01350 requirements)
• Lead and phthalate content requirements (as defined by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Information Act)
• Commercial furniture testing protocols (as defined by BIFMA)