The International Code Council has announced its intent to initiate a " Green Building Code Development Project " targeted at the commercial market. The objective of this new project is to develop a Green Building Code for traditional and high-performance buildings that is consistent and coordinated with the ICC family of Codes and Standards. The code will provide a new regulatory framework built with leading recognized rating systems in mind. The Code will provide criteria to drive green building into everyday practice.

This decision builds on a series of actions that began in the 1970s with the creation of the International Energy Conservation Code. More recent Code Council green initiatives include: signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Green Building Council; issuing the National Green Building Standard in partnership with the National Assn. of Home Builders; creating professional development, including training and certification, to address green systems and approaches; and creating a Sustainable Building Technology Committee, a Code Council Board initiative.

The code likely will address energy efficiency (including solar and other advanced technologies), water use efficiency, materials and resource use conservation, indoor environmental quality, and overall building impact on the environment. It will be developed under the Council’s governmental consensus process. The Code Council will seek the collaboration of key partners along with input from its members and stakeholders. This coordinated approach will ensure that code officials, design professionals and other industry experts will have a prominent and appropriate role in the development process.

Feedback for the May 4 Code Council Board of Directors meeting regarding this project is encouraged and requested. Ongoing input is also encouraged. Comments may be sent to GreenBuildingCode@iccsafe.org .

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