IEQ7: Product Transparency Label Material Selection

(1-5 points)

PURPOSE

Reduce building occupant exposure to indoor air contaminates and harsh chemicals by eliminating the use of worst-inclass ingredients/chemicals used inside the building envelope.

CRITERIA

Projects are to incorporate a list of products identified as contributing to positive IAQ into the specification package and into project’s Sustainable Procurement Policy. Project teams must procure materials with the Red List Free Label, Declare label, Health Product Declaration (HPD) or located within the Pharos database. Project teams must create and implement a process for confirming all identified transparency labeled products are within the building. Projects attempting the Health Badge must fulfill at least one option.

Select at least one option-potential for 5 total points:

• Option Interior Finishes – minimum 5 products with product transparency label (1 point)
• Option FF&E – minimum 10 products with product transparency label (2 points)
• Option Building Structural/Envelope Elements – minimum 12 products with product transparency label (1 point)
• Option MEP – minimum 5 products with product transparency label (1 point)

Sample of Red List ingredients that would be prohibited in a project. Complete list contains over 777 prohibited ingredients: 

• Alkylphenols 
• Halogenated Flame Retardants (HFRs) 
• Asbestos 
• Lead (added)
• Bisphenol A (BPA) 
• Mercury 
• Cadmium 
• Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
• Chlorobenzenes 
• Perfluorinated Compounds (PFCs) 
• Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC) 
• Formaldehyde (added) 
• Phthalates 
• Polyvinylidene Chloride (PVDC) 
• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) 
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in wet applied products

DEFINITIONS

Declare - is a “nutrition label” and online database for building materials. Declare labels clearly indicate whether a product is Red List Free or not. (Source Living Building Institute)

Health Product Declaration (HPD) - provides a standardized way of reporting the material contents of building products, and the health effects associated with these materials. The HPD is developed according to the directions set forth by the Health Product Declaration Collaborative, and is considered to be complementary to life cycle documentation such as LCA and EPD. (Source Health Product Declaration Collaborative)

VERIFICATION 

• Provide Sustainable Procurement Policy and/or Specifications. 
• Product Safety Data Sheets(s) (SDS) or other verified collateral stating Red List Free compliance. 
• Site Inspection by ECLC Technical Advisor.

RESOURCES

Toxicological Effects of Methylmercury https://www.nap.edu/catalog/9899/toxicological-effects-of-methylmercury

Declare Product Database access.living-future.org/declare-products 

Health Product Declaration (HPD) http://www.hpd-collaborative.org/

Pharos Database http://pharosproject.net/