855773520-LEED-v5-ID-C-Reference-Guide-Launch-Edition-1 - Page 276
Extracted Content
Composite wood The composite wood product category includes all particleboard, medium density fiberboard (both medium density and thin), hardwood plywood with veneer, composite or combination core, and wood structural panels or structural wood products. Products in this category must meet the Formaldehyde Emissions Evaluation requirements in the rating system.
Formaldehyde emissions evaluation The composite wood category typically includes products that adhere to classifications and standards defined by leading industry organizations and frameworks, such as the CARB standards, which ensure low formaldehyde emissions and compliance with stringent air quality requirements. CARB maintains a list of composite wood mills that have been approved by thirdparty certifiers [88], and this list can be used to help find and specify compliant composite wood products. Certificates demonstrating a product is certified as NAF or ULEF for products must be from a CARB-Approved Third-Party Certifier [89] The certification period must cover the date of purchase.
Note that this credit does not refer to the minimum requirements of the CARB 93120 ATCM [90] or EPA TSCA Title VI [91] . It uses the more stringent requirements for ULEF resins or NAF resins as defined in the CARB ATCM . These criteria are some of the strongest available for formaldehyde emissions from composite wood. Ensure the certificate confirms this threshold is met.
The CARB composite wood definition includes wood structural panels, structural composite lumber, glued laminated timber, I-joists, cross-laminated timber, and finger-jointed lumber. These products are subject to other standards. APA – The Engineered Wood Association website [92] can be used to source compliant products.
Goods containing composite wood components, such as doors with a composite wood core, do not belong in the Composite Wood category. They are subject to the more comprehensive emissions evaluations of other categories.
88 “CARB composite wood mills”, California Air Resources Board, March 19, 2025, accessed March 31, 2025, https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/documents/certified-mills-list-january-2-2025. 89 “CARB-Approved Third Party Certifiers Executive Orders”, California Air Resources Board, updated February 13, 2025, accessed March 31, 2025, https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/documents/carb-approved-third-party-certifiers-executive-orders. 90 “CARB 93120 ATCM”, California Air Resources Board, accessed March 31, 2025, https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/documents/airborne-toxic-control-measures. 91 “EPA TSCA Title vi”, U.S. EPA, accessed March 31, 2025, https://www.epa.gov/formaldehyde/formaldehyde-emission-standardscomposite-wood-products 92 “Home page”, The Engineered Wood Association, accessed March 31, 2025, https://www.apawood.org.
U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Interior Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition 265