The EcoLibrary™ Matrix: Updated October 2010

Certification programs and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) both provide a valuable approach to evaluating the environmental performance of products. However, a combination of the two provides even deeper insight and credibility. The following matrix identifies various certification programs currently in use by architects and designers and provides an evaluation of each^a, with the inclusion of a life-cycle approach, and with LCA as a part of the certification program.

Certification programs in this Matrix^a were selected and reviewed by The Green Standard based on their frequent use with interior building products, the focus of Interiors & Sources and The Green Guide to Greenbuild. This list represents varied types of sustainability certifications: Ecolabeling Programs, Single/Multi-Attribute Certifications as well as Sustainable Product Standards.

Certification
Program

Scope of Certification

Transparency

signifies meeting the criteria

Singular Focus (recycled content, sustainable forestry, etc.)

Multiple Attribute Focus
(combines more than one focus area)

Life Cycle Focus
(criteria spans a cradle-to-grave concept)

Publicly Available Assessment Methods and Performance Thresholds

Third-Party Certification

Publicly Available Summary of Results

Multi-Stakeholder Development Process

Public Standards Appeals Process

C2C
McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry

EcoLogo
Managed by TerraChoice

Energy Star
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Floor Score
Scientific Certification Systems

FSC Certified
Forest Stewardship Council

GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified
GREENGUARD Environmental Institute

Green Label Plus
Carpet & Rug Institute

Green Seal
Green Seal Organization

Indoor Advantage
Scientific Certification Systems

level™
The BIFMA Sustainability Standard

SMART Sustainable Product Standard
Market Transformation to Sustainability

Sustainability Assessment for Resilient Floor Coverings (NSF 332-2008)

Sustainable Carpet Assessment Standard NSF 140-2007

Sustainable Choice
Scientific Certification Systems

SFI Certified
Sustainable Forestry Initiative

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Certification programs in this Matrix^a were selected and reviewed by The Green Standard based on their frequent use with interior building products, the focus of Interiors & Sources and The Green Guide to NeoCon. This list represents varied types of sustainability certifications: Ecolabeling Programs, Single/Multi-Attribute Certifications as well as Sustainable Product Standards.

Life Cycle Certification

Certification
Program

signifies meeting the criteria

Criteria for Raw Material Sourcing & Manufacturing Operations

Criteria for Product Use Phase

Criteria for End-of-Life Management

Comprehensive Criteria Set for Each Life Cycle Stage

Criteria for ISO-Compliant Full Product Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Criteria for Reductions in Life Cycle Impacts

Requires the Use of LCA for Certification

Requires Independent Verification of LCA Data

C2C
McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry

EcoLogo
Government of Canada

^b

Energy Star
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Floor Score
Scientific Certification Systems

FSC Certified
Forest Stewardship Council

GREENGUARD Air Quality Certification
GREENGUARD Environmental Institute