855773644-LEED-v5-BD-C-Reference-Guide-Launch-Edition - Page 439

Extracted Content

third-party verified programs and reports. See the Low-Emitting Materials resource document on USGBC’s website.

The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (BIFMA) writes standards for furniture safety, ergonomics, and sustainability. Qualifying furniture products in LEED will meet the ANSI/BIFMA M7.1-2011 (R2021) Standard Test Method for Determining VOC Emissions from Office Furniture Systems, Components, and Seating. In addition, products must comply with ANSI/BIFMA e3-2024e Furniture Sustainability Standard, Section 7.6.2. Laboratories that conduct the tests must be accredited under ISO/IEC 17025 for the test methods they use.

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, ensuring 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 [135], 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 [136] . 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 or EPA TSCA Title VI . 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.

135 “CARB composite wood mills”, CARB, (n.d.), https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/documents/certified-mills-list-january-2-2025. 136 “CARB-Approved Third-Party Certifier”, CARB, (n.d.), https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/documents/carb-approved-third-party- certifiers-executive-orders.

U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition 429