August 16, 2006—The US Green Building Council (USGBC) has approved a third alternative in its LEED for Commercial Interiors EQ 4.5 low-emitting furniture credit.
Called Option C, it is based on the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (BIFMA) Furniture Emissions Standards for office furniture systems and seating products.
USGBC applauded the move and noted that the BIFMA Furniture Emissions Standards will improve indoor air quality and increase the use of sustainable materials for existing and future commercial construction.
The BIFMA Furniture Emissions Standards are the result of over 10 years of development that included the contributions of the U.S. General Services Administration, the US Environmental Protection Agency, the State of California, Berkeley Analytical Associates, the National Research Council of Canada, and many other stakeholders.
BIFMA also partnered with Dr. Jianshun Zhang of Syracuse University — a leading scientist in the field of emissions chamber testing with over 20 years experience in building ventilation and indoor air quality research.
Established in 1973, BIFMA International is a not-for-profit trade association of furniture manufacturers and suppliers. For more information, see the Web site.
