Verifying sustainability of building products

A new International Code Council evaluation service lets manufacturers mark their products with a seal of approval, so that users can be assured they’re using products that meet green standards.

By Consulting Specifying Engineer Staff November 7, 2008

Since the trend toward sustainability first started ramping up, building owners, designers, engineers, and code officials have clamored for some sort of standards program that better defines what a “green” product actually is. The International Code Council’s Sustainable Attributes Verification and Evaluation (SAVE) program provides independent confirmation that evaluated building products are sustainable and may qualify for points under major green rating systems.

SAVE evaluation involves both inspection of the manufacturer’s production process and, where called for, reviews of independent product testing. Manufacturers that successfully complete the evaluation process receive a Verification of Attributes Report in one or more of nine key categories: recycled content (postconsumer/preconsumer), regional materials, bio-based materials, certified wood products, solar reflectance index and thermal emittance of roofing materials, volatile organic compound content and emissions (adhesives and sealants), volatile organic compound content and emissions (paints and coatings), urea formaldehyde resin content in composite wood products and volatile organic compound content and emissions of floor coverings.

To view a list of products evaluated to date, visit www.saveprogram.icc-es.org .