855773644-LEED-v5-BD-C-Reference-Guide-Launch-Edition - Page 446

Extracted Content

Selecting Building Products

The goal is to recognize products that are optimized across multiple attributes, including promoting human and environmental health, supporting regenerative sourcing practices, and fostering a circular economy. These criteria areas are meant to align with the impact areas in the Mindful Materials Common Materials Framework (CMF) and the AIA Architecture and Design (A&D) Materials Pledge .

The AIA A&D Materials Pledge [139] provides a framework to encourage the use of building materials that prioritize sustainability throughout their lifecycle, including aspects like green chemistry, responsible sourcing, and end-of-life management. The Mindful Materials Common Materials Framework (CMF) [140] standardizes product evaluations, emphasizing environmental and health impacts. AIA has also introduced reporting requirements, while the CMF is expanding its focus to include data integration and related advancements. Both initiatives aim to enhance transparency and optimization in building materials, functioning independently of specific certifications by providing a structured framework that allows various standards to align with key impact areas. The five criteria areas help connect different ecolabels, offering a consistent and holistic approach to material evaluation, where certifications are scored based on disclosure, verification, and optimization, among other criteria.

Product Categories

To achieve a point, the project must demonstrate they meet or exceed the threshold for each product category. This can be based on cost, surface area, volume, or number of units, depending upon the measurement methods available for each product category. Project teams can choose different measurement types to measure progress towards achievement as long as the measurement method is consistent in each product category. For example, a project could use “surface area” to demonstrate achievement of the flooring category, “number of units” for the furniture category, and “volume” for the adhesives and sealants category.

This credit will be documented by product category using the LEED materials calculator. This calculator is combined with the MRc3: Low-Emitting Materials calculator. Teams are encouraged to combine submittal reviews and product vetting with the criteria found in both credits to maximize credit achievement and harmonize product selection, specification, and documentation processes.

139 Materials Pledge | AIA , (n.d.), aia.org/design-excellence/climate-action/zero-carbon/materials-pledge.

140 mindful MATERIALS CMF Reference Guide , (n.d.), Mindful MATERIALS, mindfulmaterials.com/cmf-reference-guide.

U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition 436