About GREENGUARD

About GREENGUARD Environmental Institute

The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) is an industry-independent, non-profit organization that oversees the GREENGUARD Certification Program. As an ANSI Authorized Standards Developer, GEI establishes acceptable indoor air standards for indoor products, environments, and buildings. GEI's mission is to improve public health and quality of life through programs that improve indoor air. A GEI Advisory Board consisting of independent volunteers, who are renowned experts in the areas of indoor air quality, public and environmental health, building design and construction, and public policy, provides guidance and leadership to GEI.

History of GREENGUARD

GEI was founded in June of 2001 to establish a true third-party product certification program based on proven emissions standards and to provide specifying and procurement professionals with a resource for low-emitting products. The program evolved out of the original AQSpec List™ program developed by Marilyn Black, Ph.D. and Air Quality Sciences Inc. in 1996. The original AQSpec List program was established to identify manufacturers and products that had been tested and found to meet the general product emissions standards established by the State of Washington and the office furniture emissions standard established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for their Headquarters' Project.

About the GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certification Program for Low-Emitting Products

The GREENGUARD Certification ProgramSM is an industry-independent, third-party testing program for low-emitting products and materials. The first GREENGUARD Certification was awarded in the fall of 2002. In 2005, GEI announced the GREENGUARD Children & Schools standard, which evaluates the sensitive nature of school populations combined with the unique building characteristics found in schools and presents the most rigorous product emissions criteria to date. To date, more than 100 manufacturers across various industries offer GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified® Products.

All GREENGUARD Certified products are listed in the GREENGUARD Online Product Guide, an indoor air quality (IAQ) resource that is provided at no charge. The guide features products, which are regularly tested to ensure that their chemical and particle emissions meet acceptable IAQ pollutant guidelines and standards. GREENGUARD Certification is a valuable tool for architects, designers, product specifiers, and purchasing organizations that want to locate, specify, and purchase off-the-shelf, low-emitting products for indoor environments. GREENGUARD Certification is a voluntary program available to all manufacturers and their suppliers.

About the GREENGUARD for Building Construction℠ Program

In 2006, GEI introduced the GREENGUARD for Building Construction Program, a mold risk reduction program that for the first time certifies the design, construction, and ongoing operations of newly constructed multifamily and commercial properties. GREENGUARD for Building Construction protects Lenders, Insurers and Building Developers from Mold Risk by providing effective processes based on the industries' best practices for safeguarding against the damage and resulting losses caused by mold. Buildings that are "certified" through GREENGUARD for Building Construction have been proven to meet this standard and are monitored for ongoing compliance throughout the term of the loan or building life.

For a listing of registered projects, visit Registered Projects.