Navigating the world of standards and certifications can get pretty complicated, in part because there are so many different programs to choose from with more entering the market all the time. Here are links to some of the primary programs I refer to in my webinar "Keeping Them Honest" on GreenExpo365.com. This list includes organizations with searchable data bases and will give you a good start in your search for credible materials and products for your projects.


GREEN BUILDING PRODUCT RESOURCES & DIRECTORIES
EcoHome magazine
www.ecohomemagazine.com

BuildingGreen
GreenSpec/Pharos Directory
www.buildinggreen.com

Green Building Alliance
www.gbapgh.org

International Living Building Institute / Living Building Challenge Red List
www.ilbi.org

The Pharos Project
www.pharosproject.net

NAHB Green Approved Products
www.nahbgreen.org

CSI Green Format
www.greenformat.com

Product Policy Institute
www.productpolicy.org

ecoScorecard
www.ecoscorecard.com

Federal Trade Commission
www.ftc.gov



GREEN BUILDING PRODUCT LABELS & CERTIFICATIONS
Wood and Lumber Products
Composite Panel Association Environmentally Preferred Products (EPP)
www.pbmdf.com

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
www.fscus.org

Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)
www.sfiprogram.org

Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Sustainable Forest Management System
www.csa.ca

Programme for the Endorsement of Forestry Certification Schemes (PEFC)
www.pefc.org

America Tree Farm
www.treefarmsystem.org



Energy
Energy Star
www.energystar.gov

National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC)
www.nfrc.org

American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA)
www.aamanet.org

Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE)
www.cee1.org

Solar Rating and Certification Corp. (SRRC)
www.solar-rating.org

Cool Roof Rating Council
www.coolroofs.org

NAHB Green Approved
www.nahbgreen.org

IAPMO
www.iapmo.org

Air-Conditioning Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI)
www.ahrinet.org



Indoor Air Quality
Master Painters Institute (MPI) X-Green Performance
www.paintinfo.com

Greenguard
www.greenguard.org

CRI Green Label / Green Label Plus (carpet)
www.carpet-rug.org

Green Seal
www.greenseal.org

Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Assoc. (KCMA) Environmental Stewardship Program
www.kcma.org

SCS-Indoor Advantage, SCS-Indoor Advantage Gold, SCS-FloorScore, SCS-Sustainable Choice (carpet)
www.scscertified.com



Water Quality & Efficiency
EPA WaterSense
www.epa.gov/watersense

NSF International
www.nsf.org

IAPMO Green Mark
www.iapmo.org


Recycled, Bio-Based, Rapidly Renewable Materials
USDA Bio-Preferred
www.biopreferred.gov

SCS-Material Content
www.scscertified.com

UL Environment
www.ulenvironment.com

NSF International
www.nsf.org

Green Seal
www.greenseal.org

ICC-ES SAVE
www.icc-es.org



Multiple Attribute Programs
ICC-ES SAVE
www.icc-es.org

UL Environment
www.ulenvironment.com

EcoLogo
www.ecologo.org

Home Depot Eco Options
www.homedepot.com/ecooptions

Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) Environmentally Preferred Products
www.scscertified.com

Green Seal
www.greenseal.org

Cradle-To-Cradle
www.mbdc.com

IAPMO-ES
www.iapmo.org


Advanced Attribute Programs – Including Health, Toxicity, & LCA’s
The Pharos Project
www.pharosproject.net

Athena Institute LCA
www.athenasmi.org

Cradle-To-Cradle
www.mbdc.com

SCS Environmentally Preferred Products
www.scscertified.com

Sustainable Materials Rating Technology (SMaRT)
www.mts.sustainableproducts.com

UL Environment Sustainable Product Certification
www.ulenvironement.com

Composite Panel Assoc EPP
www.pbmdf.com

GreenCircle (SSC) LCA / Sustainable Mfg. Practices
Hazardous Substance Free
www.hsf.us

NSF International Eco-Efficiency Analysis (EEA)
www.nsf.org

NIST BEES
www.greenbuildingsolutions.org