X14: Material Transparency

(2 points)

INTENT

Promote material transparency across building material and product supply chain.

SUMMARY

This WELL feature requires the compilation and availability of product descriptions, with ingredients evaluated and disclosed down to 1,000 ppm, through transparency labels. 

ISSUE

The global supply chain for material production is multi-tiered and complex. The level of technical and chemical knowledge throughout the supply chain can also vary greatly. Due to a lack of robust data and transparency, the adoption of safer chemicals is not well understood or practiced in the industry. Building and construction materials are not required to have complete ingredient lists, which makes it difficult to make fully informed choices when selecting safer products.

SOLUTIONS

Growing scientific and public concern over chemical exposure has prompted the introduction of a number of screening and disclosure tools to help differentiate safer ingredients and products. Labels that promote material ingredient disclosure encourage supply chain transparency and work to bridge the information gap between manufacturers and users. Further, promoting awareness of and education on material ingredient content through product labeling can help enable informed decision making.   

IMPACT

Consumer access to material ingredient content through product labeling can help educate consumers and drive market demand for safer ingredients, protect public health and enable market transformation.

REQUIREMENTS

Part 1

Promote Ingredient Disclosure (Max: 2 points)

Verified by Architect, Photographic evidence

For All Spaces

Material information:

Newly installed interior finishes and finish materials, furnishings (including workstations) and built-in furniture have some combination of the following material descriptions, with ingredients identified and disclosed to 1,000 ppm and earning points based on the table below:

Minimum Percent by Cost	Points
25% (by cost)	1
50% (by cost)	2

1. Declare Label.

2. Health Product Declaration. 

3. Any screening and hazard disclosure method accepted in USGBC's LEED v4 MR credit: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization - Material Ingredients, Option 1: material ingredient reporting.

Material library:

The following is met:

1. A digital or physical library is provided to occupants on compliant products as part of the resource library required through Feature C01: Health and Wellness Awareness. The library is prominently displayed and easily accessible to occupants.

ADDITIONAL POINT OPPORTUNITY
To earn an additional point for Commercial Core, projects must also comply with requirements in leased spaces. 

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