Green Building > Certification Regulations > Sustainable Product Certification Programs

Sustainable Product Certification Programs

In addition to whole-building certification, there are programs that focus on an aspect of sustainable buildings or materials. For example, ENERGY STAR for Buildings and Plants evaluates energy performance, while Green Seal certifies environmentally responsible building products.

Product-Specific Certifications and Labels

ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. It is designed to help consumers and businesses to identify energy-efficient strategies and products, and offers an evaluation tool for homes and commercial structures. Buildings that meet this performance standard will earn the ENERGY STAR label, as will products like appliances that demonstrate energy efficiency.

Green Seal
Green Seal is a non-profit organization that evaluates products or services using a life-cycle approach. This analysis examines all significant environmental impacts in the development of a product, from raw materials extraction through manufacturing to use and disposal. The evaluation process is based on the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards for environmental labeling programs. Green Seal has also been accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

GreenSpec-Listed Green Building Products
The online GreenSpec® Directory, maintained by BuildingGreen, LLC, lists product descriptions for over 2,000 environmentally preferable products.

Pharos Project
The Pharos Project seeks to define a consumer-driven vision of truly sustainable building materials and establish a method for evaluation in harmony with principles of environmental health and justice. The Project pairs those who use building materials with those who study the impact of products on public health and the environment.

WaterSense
WaterSense is a partnership program, initiated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The WaterSense label helps consumers identify products and programs that meet water efficiency and performance criteria.