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ASTM C1243 Resistance to Deep Abrasive Wear of Unglazed Ceramic Tile by Rotating Disc
The ASTM C1243 test method is a standard of the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) that measures the potential resistance to wear of unglazed ceramic tiles for floor applications. This…
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ASTM C501 Resistance to Wear of Unglazed Ceramic Tile by the Taber Abraser
The ASTM C501 test method is a standard of the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) that measures the potential resistance to wear of unglazed ceramic tiles using a taber abraser. The…
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ASTM E84 Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials
The ASTM E84 test is a standard of the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) that measures the burning properties, or fire resistance, of building materials that may be exposed to flames using the Steiner tunnel chamber…
A bevel edge is a straight planer cut added to the edges of a surface. According to the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA), this cut should be at or around a 45-degree angle and greater than a .045-inches in depth. It can be created on different flooring and surface materials…
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Border tile refers to the tiles that surround the field tile—a decorative edging that results in a more finished design, which can highlight or frame particular areas within a space. Border tile designs can be used on both floors and walls, and come in a variety…
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Botanical is a motif depicting precise illustrations of plants that occasionally includes representations of flowers in bloom, leaves, or stems. As a favored subject in formal framed art, the imagery has also become a widespread design in printed textiles.
Photography Courtesy of James Dunlop Textiles…
The California Prop 65 List is a public index of naturally occurring and synthetic chemicals that are known to cause cancer and reproductive harm. This list was established by Proposition 65—a law officially known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986—to inform Californians about potential exposure…
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CDPH (California Department of Public Health) / CHPS (Certified in Healthcare Privacy and Security) Section 01350 is a United States standard that addresses the human health and environmental impacts of building materials used by the architecture and design community. Also known as the Standard Method for…
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Chevron is a repeating pattern of a continuous V- and inverted V-shaped lines without interruption, resulting in a zig-zag-like appearance. Composed of at least one color, this pattern is often used in the design of flooring and walls, as well as textiles.
Photography Courtesy of Walker…
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Concrete effect refers to faux treatments used on materials—such as paint or surfacing—to generate the appearance of actual concrete in color and texture.
Photography Courtesy of Adore Floors…
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Cradle to Cradle (C2C) is a product
standard administered by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute (C2CPII) to
incentivize environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing practices. Based
on the principles outlined in their 2002 book, Cradle to Cradle: Remaking
the Way We Make Things, authors William…
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Green Label Plus is a program created by the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) to set standards for VOC emissions from carpets, cushions, and adhesives, and provide resources for consumers related to indoor air quality. It is a voluntary initiative that parallels testing emissions protocols used…
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The Declare Label is a transparency initiative by the International Living Future Institute (ILFI) through which industrial manufacturers can opt to disclose their product ingredients. Declare Labels share a product’s key compositional and logistical information with specifiers and consumers, including its manufacturer, assembly location, life expectancy,…
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Declared refers to a declaration status indicating that a product has disclosed 100 percent of its ingredients present at or above 100ppm (0.01%), while also containing one or more Red List chemicals not listed as an existing exception. It is one of three declaration possibilities—along with…
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Based on an ancient painting technique, in which hot wax is combined with colored pigments and then applied to a surface, encaustic ceramic tiles are produced by combining clay and multiple powdered colors to create a pattern. The compound is then fired to seal the pattern…
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An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a registered document that provides information about the environmental impact of a product across its life cycle. Unlike a label or certificate, an EPD is not an endorsement of a product’s environmental impact or its compliance with environmental standards. Rather,…
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Field tile refers to the primary area of tile that is covering a surface. It is the most prominent tile within the space.…
Flashed is a method of firing brick that creates a reduced atmosphere in the kiln to change the brick’s color to a dark or black hue. It can also be referred to as reduction firing. The process typically changes the color of the brick’s surface, while the body retains its…
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Glazed refers to a finishing process for tile that involves applying a coat of enamel or liquid glass. This facial finish is fused to the tile’s surface with very high temperatures and is non-porous. Glazed tiles can be either matte or glossy, and can be specified…
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The GREENGUARD Certification Program—previously known as the GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certification—recognizes products and processes that meet standards for safe levels of chemical and particle emissions in indoor spaces. GREENGUARD is a third-party assessment program created by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Environment to support manufacturers in producing…
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GREENGUARD is a third-party assessment program created by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Environment to support manufacturers in producing safe products designed for indoor spaces, in accordance with strict VOC emissions standards. GREENGUARD Gold is even more rigorous, permitting no more than 1/100 of currently published ACGIH Threshold…
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A Health
Product Declaration (HPD) is a standardized report that is used to disclose the
contents of building materials, as well as their possible human health effects
and hazards. HPDs are overseen by the Health Product Declaration Collaborative
(HPDC), a non-profit organization with members from across…
The International Living Future Institute (ILFI), established in 2009 by members of the Cascadia Green Building Council, is a non-profit advocating for a socially just, culturally rich, and ecologically restorative society. As the umbrella organization tasked with managing the Living Building Challenge, the Living Product Challenge, the Living Community Challenge,…
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The ISO 10545-6 Deep Abrasion Tester for Ceramic Tile is a standard of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that determines the resistance to deep abrasion for unglazed ceramic tiles used for flooring. The test involves exposing a rotating steel disk to the surface of the…
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The ISO 10545-7 Resistance to Surface Abrasion for Glazed Tiles is a standard of the International Organization of Standardization (ISO) that determines the resistance to surface abrasion of glazed ceramic tiles used for flooring. The test method involves exposing the glazed ceramic tile sample to steel…
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Large format tile refers to tiles that have at least one edge that measures longer than 15 inches. They can be made from a variety of materials, including natural stone, ceramic, and porcelain in both traditional and thin slabs. Because large format tiles offer more coverage…
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Living Building Challenge (LBC) Red
List Approved
is a
status indicating that a product is in compliance with the requirements of the
LBC Challenge, but that compliance is dependent on one or more exceptions. It
is one of three declaration possibilities (Red List Free and Declared…
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Living Building Challenge (LBC) Red List Free is a status indicating that a product contains none of the harmful chemicals listed on the Red List. It is one of three declaration possibilities—Red List Approved and Declared are the other two—on the International Living Future Institute’s (ILFI)…
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Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
(LEED) is a third-party certification system and global standard for green
buildings and communities. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC),
LEED is the world’s most widely used green building rating system. It provides
the tools for building industry…
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Low-emitting or low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are reduced concentrations of chemical contaminants in manufactured goods that, at significant levels, can be harmful to human health and the environment. VOC emissions can be released from household products like paints, solvents, carpets, wood composites, and cleaning products,…
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Metal effect refers to faux treatments that simulate the appearance of actual metal in materials such as paint, ceramic or laminate surfaces, and wallcoverings. In textiles, metal effects are created by incorporating metallic yarns such as Lurex.
Photography Courtesy of Artistic Tile…
A micro bevel edge is similar to a bevel edge—a straight planer cut added to the edges of a surface—but falls within a tolerance measuring between .025-inches and .045-inches, as set forth by the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA). A micro bevel edge offers ease of cleaning and maintenance and…
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Mosaic tile refers to small tiles or bits of tile that are used to form a design. Each piece is usually two-by-two inches or smaller and can come in different shapes and colors. Mosaics are often used to create patterns and pictures on floors, walls, and…
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Post-consumer recycled content is material waste generated after the consumer-use phase of an item’s life cycle that is used to manufacture new products. To claim post-consumer content, manufacturers must disclose the percentage of recycled materials used, according to the item’s total weight. Use of either kind…
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Post-industrial recycled content, also known as pre-consumer recycled content, is material waste generated during mass production that is later used to manufacture new products. Unlike post-consumer recycled content, post-industrial material has been recycled before entering into contact with consumers and being sent to a landfill. In…
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Rectified refers to a tile that has undergone an additional machining process to produce precise edges on all sides. This results in smaller, cleaner grout lines that give the tile a smooth look. Rectified tiles can be used on walls or floors to achieve a seamless…
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Recycled content, as opposed to virgin stock, is material that has been diverted from a landfill and subsequently used in the manufacturing of new product. Defined by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prevent false marketing claims, recycled content can be supplied from industrial or consumer…
A running bond is a bond in which each unit is staggered a ½ unit further than the adjacent course, resulting in a one-over-two pattern. It is considered to be the most common type of bond pattern used in construction and can be applied to any hard surface that consists…
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SCS Indoor Advantage is a certification program developed by SCS Global Services that appraises the VOC emissions of furniture and interior building materials. SCS offers two certifications: Indoor Advantage, for furniture; and Indoor Advantage Gold, for furniture and building materials—including coatings, paints, sealants, adhesives, wallcoverings, floor…
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The shade variation index is a
rating given to determine tile variation between individual pieces in a
grouping. In particular, variation levels are given for digitally printed tiles
to help designers determine the properties of a batch of tiles. According to shade
variation index, tiles are…
Stack bond, or stacked bond, refers to a pattern in which bricks or tiles are stacked on top of one another, resulting in continuous horizontal edge joints and the vertical head joints. A stack bond pattern is typically used in non-load bearing situations. It is typically reinforced or supported with…
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Stone effect is a faux treatment in materials such as paint or surfacing that simulates the appearance of actual stone in color as well as texture.
Photography Courtesy of Formica…
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Stripe refers to a pattern of bands, lines, or strips that can run in diagonal, horizontal, or vertical directions. There are many types of stripe patterns classified by thickness, size, color, spacing, and arrangement.
Photography Courtesy of Silver State Inc.…
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Subway tile refers to a rectangular shaped tile that was first introduced in New York’s subway stations. Traditionally they are white and measure 3 inches by 6 inches in size but have expanded over the years to include slimmer and larger formats, along with a wide…
A three-dimensional material has physical attributes that exist in the X, Y, and Z plains. While specific categories of materials will define three-dimensionality differently, if there has been an additive, reductive, or transformative process done to the material, it may qualify as having three-dimensional characteristics.
Photography Courtesy of INAX…
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Through body color refers to a tile with material and color that permeate throughout its entire body and are the same as what is shown on the surface. Since the color runs all the way through the tile, chips, scratches, and other damages are less noticeable.…
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Trim tile refers to the tile placed along the edges to finish off the main area of an installation. Trim tiles can come in various shapes of bases, caps, corners, moldings, and more. A few common styles include bullnose, featuring a rounded edge; chair rail, which…
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The UL 723 Surface Burning Characteristic of Building Materials test is a standard of Underwriters Laboratories (UL) that measures the burning properties, or fire resistance, of building materials that may be exposed to flames. Results obtained from this test are used by code officials in the…
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Unglazed refers to tile that has been baked and not finished with a liquid coating on its surface. Its color is derived from mineral deposits found in the clay and runs throughout the body of the tile, resulting in an earthy, natural appearance. This style is…
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a nonprofit organization committed
to transforming the nation’s construction industry by promoting the values of
the green building rating system Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Its mission is to facilitate healthier, more
socially and environmentally responsible buildings and communities that improve…
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The WELL Building Standard is a global rating
system that uses a point-based framework of best-practice policies to assess
the impact of the built environment on human health. WELL was founded by the
International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), a public benefit corporation with
a mission to…
Bullnose is a term most commonly used to describe ceramic tile that is distinguished by rounded edges primarily appears as decorative trim. The format is often used to frame the perimeter of a tiled wall or create a transition between the tile and the wall, so that unfinished tile sides…
A common bond, also known as an American bond, is one of several techniques of bonding bricks in building and construction. Vertical rows, or courses, consist of headers—bricks that are laid flat with width exposed—that are inserted every five or six rows, with the headers centered on stretcher—bricks laid flat…
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Distressed refers to a material that has simulated marks of age and wear or has been purposely blemished so as to give the appearance of long, steady use. It can be applied to wood, metal, textile, glass, and stone through many methods such as hammering, denting,…
Also referred to as a softened square, eased edge describes the technique of bordering countertops and other surfaces with rounded square edges, as opposed to sharp square cuts that can reveal unfinished layers of material. Stone, engineered stone, solid surfacing, and high-pressure laminate commonly employ eased edges to address both…
English bond is one of several techniques used for bonding bricks in building and construction. Vertical rows, or courses, alternate between stretchers—bricks laid flat with the narrow side exposed—and headers—bricks laid flat with the width exposed—that are configured with the headers centered above the stretchers, and the joints of the…
Flemish bond is one of several techniques used to bond bricks in building and construction. Each vertical row, or course, consists of stretchers—bricks laid flat with the narrow side exposed—alternating with headers—bricks laid flat with the width exposed—and the headers centered on stretchers above and below. If multiple stretchers are…
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Glazed color body refers to a porcelain tile with color in the body or substrate of the tile that matches the dominant color of the topical glaze finish. When the color body matches the top finish, it helps to minimize the visibility of any chips, scratches,…
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Unglazed through body refers to porcelain tile that has consistent color body and design but does not have a topical glaze finish, resulting in a full body porcelain tile. Unglazed through body tiles have a natural texture and are typically more slip-resistant compared to a glazed…
Phosphorescence
refers to a pigment that converts wavelengths outside the visible spectrum—such
as UV light—into visible light, resulting in brilliant hues and glowing
effects. Phosphoresce materials do not immediately re-emit the light they
absorb, meaning that when phosphorescence pigments are no longer exposed to
this stimulant, they will continue to…
A sealant can be applied for purposes of protecting a substrate material from air, gas, dust, liquids, or abrasion. It can be designed to provide thermal and acoustical insulation or serve as a fire barrier. Sealants may have smoothing or gap filling properties, and may be weak or strong, flexible…
A substrate refers to a base surface or underlying layer upon which another material is adhered, coated, laminated, deposited, printed, or otherwise brought into contact with.…
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Ceramic is a solid material that is composed of a mixture of
inorganic materials combined with a bonding agent. The mixture of materials
used to create ceramics can vary depending on the final result, but most include
varieties of clay mixed with water. The process starts…
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Porcelain is a type of ceramic. Similar to other ceramic types, such as earthenware and stoneware, porcelain is clay-based and fired in a kiln at high temperatures to create its final form. Porcelain is baked at a higher temperature than most ceramic types, resulting in a…
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Terracotta is a type of ceramic called earthenware, and its
name is a translation from the Italian word for baked earth. It is a clay-based
material that is baked in a kiln, or by heat from the sun, at a temperature
lower than other ceramic types.…
Waterjet refers to an industrial tool that utilizes a high-pressure stream of water, or mixture of water and an abrasive substance, to efficiently cut a variety of materials. A waterjet machine typically consists of a controller that uses software to operate the system, a high-intensity pump, and a table with…
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Crackled refers to a patterned motif that depicts tiny cracks on along the surface of a material.
Photography Courtesy of Design and Direct Source…
A declaration is a report that provides quantified,
transparent information about a product’s environmental performance and
material ingredients. It can be used by building industry professionals to
facilitate comparison with similar products and to help manufacturers qualify
for transparency credits in green building rating systems. Declarations can be
published as…
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment
Method, or BREEAM, was the world’s first widely used green building certification
system. Developed in the 1990s in the UK by Building Research Establishment
(BRE), today BREEAM is used in over 80 countries.1 BREAAM
certification demonstrates a building project’s sustainability and its
commitment to protecting…
Environmental Justice is the equitable distribution of
environmental burdens and benefits, and of meaningful participation in
environmental decision-making. This means that all people have
the right to equal protection from environmental and health hazards, and the
right to live, work, play, worship, or learn in safe, healthy communities.1 The
US…
The Global Warming Potential (GWP) is a unit of measurement
developed to compare the atmospheric global warming impacts of gases. It tells
us how long a gas remains in the atmosphere, and how much energy it absorbs
over a given time period, relative to 1 ton of carbon dioxide (CO2).…
SCS Global Services is a third-party certification body that
also develops its own standards. It develops environmental, sustainability,
food safety, and quality performance standards, as well as auditing and
certification programs. It works internationally, initiating partnerships with
companies, government agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders to achieve
sustainable development goals and…
Social Equity, at its simplest, can be understood as impartiality, fairness, and justice for all people.1 This means taking into account systemic inequalities to ensure that that everyone has access to the same opportunities and outcomes. Equity acknowledges that inequalities exist and works to eliminate them. It means that regardless…
The American Conference
of Governmental Industrial Hygienists’ (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values (TLVs)
refer to a set of guidelines regarding the airborne concentrations of chemical
substances that workers can be safely exposed to over their working lifetime.
The ACGIH developed TLVs as a tool for industrial hygienists to make informed
decisions…
Formaldehyde is a volatile organic chemical (VOC) used as a
preservative, disinfectant, and binding agent in the building industry.1
It has been designated as a
carcinogen by the World Health Organization and California’s Proposition 65,
and a Hazardous Air Pollutant by the US Environmental Protection Agency. It is a key…
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the quality of air in and
around buildings, as it affects human health and safety. Pollutants released
into indoor air can cause adverse short- and long-term health effects. These
effects have a disproportionate impact on at-risk populations like children,
the elderly, asthmatics, low-income, minorities,…
Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a standardized set of
procedures used to quantify the inputs, outputs, and potential environmental
impacts of products or systems across their entire life cycle. LCAs promote the
redesign and responsible design of products and processes to reduce harm to the
environment.1 The life cycle is…
The Perkins & Will Precautionary List is a compilation of
hazardous chemicals that are used in the building, design, and construction
industry. The list was developed by Perkins & Will, an architecture and
planning firm whose aim is to provide industry professionals with a tool to
analyze the health and…
REACH
Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) are chemicals that pose a serious
threat to human health and the environment, as evaluated by the European
Chemical Agency (ECHA). They are regulated through the
Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH),
a European Union law instated in 2007. The SVHC…
The Red
List is an index of the most harmful and polluting materials used in the
building industry. It was created by the International Living Future Institute
(ILFI) to identify and eliminate pollutants, substances that are harmful to construction
and factory workers, and chemicals that bio-accumulate up the food chain…
Six Classes is a framework developed by the Green Science Policy Institute to provide information about many of the harmful chemicals used in building materials and consumer products, in order to minimize their use. Rather than creating a list of chemicals of concern, Six Classes groups chemicals into six categories.…
A third party is an objective, independent person or
organization. Product testing, evaluation, certification, and reporting is
often performed by a third party in order to ensure reliability. In order to be
independent, third parties must have no conflicts of interest, financial,
personal, or otherwise, with involved parties such as…
Toxicity refers to the potential of a substance to cause harm
to the living body. Toxic substances, or toxicants, can be naturally occurring
(such as lead), synthetic (like phthalates), or produced by a living organism
(like mold). Those produced by a living organism fall into a subclassification
of toxicants called…
Biodegradation is the breakdown or decomposition of materials
by microorganisms. It refers to the processes that transform materials into
less complex compounds that can be used and reused by living systems.
Biodegradation is used for waste management and environmental remediation, also
known as bioremediation. It is an important process that…
Bullnose is an edge type is rounded and finished to match the main surface. A full bullnose edge is curved on the top and bottom and will look like a “U” turned on its side. Bullnose edges can come in other forms, such as a half bullnose, which is rounded…
The
Circular Economy is a framework that aims to reduce environmental impacts and
generate economic growth by eliminating waste and reusing resources. This model
is an alternative to the traditional linear economic system, which presumes the
existence and accessibility of unlimited natural resources, and in which a
product’s life cycle…
In the building industry, compliance means acting in adherence to a set of regulations, standards, or codes. It indicates that a product, project, or process fulfills all official requirements. Designers, manufacturers, and other professionals may need to demonstrate compliance to internal management, regulators, the government, customers, or independent third parties.…
The
Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Basic Level Restricted Substances List (RSL) is a
register of the chemicals that are banned from use in Cradle to Cradle
Certified products above certain thresholds. These substances have been found
to be harmful or toxic to the environment and human health.1 The RSL
was…
The
Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Material Health Certificate recognizes products that
avoid the use of harmful chemicals or toxic materials, in accordance with
Cradle to Cradle’s Certified Product Standard. The C2C product standard is
administered by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute (C2CPII) to
incentivize environmentally and socially responsible…
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an agency of the
United States federal government whose mission is to protect human health and
the environment. It was established in 1970 to ensure that all Americans have
access to clean air, land, and water, and that related federal laws are
administered and…
EPA Chemicals of Concern is a list compiled by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) containing chemical substances found to be harmful or toxic to human health and the environment. This list was published in accordance with a 2016 amendment to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which requires…
Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements with high
densities relative to water, which are toxic at low concentrations.1
They are part of an ill-defined subset of elements with metallic properties,
usually categorized as metals or metalloids.2 In trace amounts, many
of these elements are necessary to sustain life, but when…
A
product life cycle is an assessment of resource consumption, performance, and
environmental impacts at each phase of an industrial product’s life. It
consists of the extraction of raw materials, the processing of those materials,
manufacturing, shipping, use, maintenance, and finally disposal or recycling. Life
cycle assessment is based on…
A supply chain is a coordinated system of processes, information, resources, physical locations, and service providers that are responsible for a product’s manufacturing, storage, distribution, and retail.1 All activities between the extraction of raw materials and the product’s acquisition by an end customer make up part of the supply chain.…
Volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) are chemical contaminants that, at significant levels, can be
harmful to human health and the environment. VOCs are volatile, meaning that
they evaporate readily, and organic, which means that they contain carbon
atoms. There are several exceptions that do not fall under VOC categorization,
including carbon…
Wastewater refers to any water that has been used by humans.
It includes water that has been contaminated by domestic, industrial,
agricultural, and commercial use, and from stormwater runoff and infiltration.1
After use, water must be treated to reduce pollutants before being released
into the environment. Wastewater is collected in…
UL (formerly Underwriters Laboratories),
founded in 1894, is an independent safety science company and standards
developer that promotes the production and use of products that are physically
and environmentally safe. It seeks to advance the living and working conditions
for people, through the application of science, hazard-based safety engineering,
and…
The
American National Safety Institute (ANSI) is a private, non-profit membership
organization that manages and regulates the development of voluntary safety
standards for products and systems in the United States. Founded in 1918, ANSI
and its members have laid the groundwork for national standardization and
assessment frameworks in industries encompassing…
A certification provides
third-party confirmation that a product, project, process, or system fulfills
the requirements of a given standard. Certification programs vary in method or
philosophy. They can be divided into multi-attribute and single-attribute
programs. A single-attribute certification focuses on just one factor, like
water use, energy use, or chemical…
