Green Certifications: Greenguard

When we shop for furniture and household products it’s not uncommon to see a Greenguard logo on various items; a leaf design which certifies that a product has low chemical emissions. Founded in 2001, Greenguard is a long standing, industry-independent certification that aims to protect human health by enhancing indoor air quality via reducing people’s exposure to chemicals and other pollutants. Issued by Underwriters’ Laboratories (UL), it screens for over 15,000 Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and limits 360 harmful ones. Populations in some cultures, such as North America and parts of Europe, spend up to 90 percent of their lives in indoor environments. Whether we’re in our homes, work or schools, the quality of the air we breathe has a direct impact on our wellbeing.

Health complaints, from headaches, fatigue and respiratory problems to cancer and heart disease can be caused by pollutants emanating from our surroundings. Temporary ailments are sometimes attributed to ‘Sick Building Syndrome’, which occurs when occupants experience symptoms after entering a particular building that diminish upon exit. Building materials and furnishings often emit VOCs which can build up within a space and have a range of health implications. Formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, is of particular concern and is often found in pressed wood materials. Rest assured, if you're looking for low-emission products to protect the indoor air quality in your home, Greenguard certification offers a widely trusted standard.

Categories serviced:

Greenguard Certification spans various industries, such as vehicles, construction, furniture, textiles, electronics, cleaning materials, medical, childcare and educational product manufacturing. Certification covers the fabrics, adhesives, sealants and flooring used in your home, the office items and electrical equipment at work, the toys in kindergartens and the healthcare furnishings in clinics. Every aspect of our lives lived indoors might benefit from Greenguard certified products being used.

What certification indicates:

The tested product emits zero to few VOCs. There are two types of certification, both of which are voluntary. Greenguard certification means the product has met industry standards for low emissions, not exceeding 500 μg/m3 (micrograms per cubic meter of air). Anything designed for a child’s room or educational setting should meet even stricter standards and that’s where the second level of certification is important. Greenguard Gold certification means products emit even lower levels, capped at 220 μg/m3, and incorporate a markedly low degree of formaldehyde emissions.

The Greenguard certification program is widely acknowledged and cited by various building programs, standards and specifications globally. It helps meet architectural specifications for indoor air quality and satisfy building code criteria. Products bearing either Greenguard or Greenguard Gold certification can play a role in earning points within recognized green building rating systems like LEED, Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), Fitwel and others. This demonstrates a commitment to sustainability on the part of the manufacturers.

How does it work?

To earn the Greenguard and Greenguard Gold labels, products are tested by being kept in chambers for one to two weeks. These chambers are temperature and humidity-controlled stainless steel compartments, ensuring no VOCs. After one or two weeks, the certifying agencies test the VOC levels in the chamber. If the emission levels are low, the products earn the Greenguard Gold or Greenguard certification mark.

Benefits:

• This rigorous certification program means you are reducing the indoor air pollution and the risk of chemical exposure from household products to the best of your ability, while creating a healthier indoor environment.
• Certified products are screened for more than 15,000 VOCs known to pollute indoor air.
• Products have undergone extensive scientific testing to meet stringent chemical emissions requirements.
• Achieving Greenguard certification gives credibility to manufacturers’ sustainability claims, backing them with empirical technical data from an unbiased, third-party organization.
• Consumers can make informed choices, prioritizing the long-term implication of materials on occupants’ wellbeing.

Downsides:

• While Greenguard ensures you have a low-VOC emitting product this does not always guarantee clean air, as even Greenguard Gold certified products emit some chemicals.
• Even though the Greenguard Gold certification assures VOC levels within a certain threshold, knowing the exact amount of VOC emissions can be challenging, but these numbers matter especially if you are sensitive to chemical emissions.
• To find out the exact amount of VOC emissions, you need to contact the manufacturers, but once they have the Greenguard certification they don’t disclose the exact levels. This makes it difficult for shoppers who have specific chemical sensitivities. In such cases, it’s better to opt for companies willing to disclose chemical emission details of their products.
• The Greenguard Gold certification does not check for chemical contents in the material. It only measures the emissions from these chemicals.

Photography: Tierney/Adobe, Underwriters’ Laboratories (UL), Craft Floors, JH Wall Paint, Amorim Cork Flooring, Naturepedic