What is UL Greenguard Gold Certification
But in an era where environmental quality and safety is key, certifications like the UL Greenguard Gold offer valuable signposts for which products consumers can trust in their homes and workplaces. Enforcing the most aggressive chemical emissions standards in the world, GREENGUARD Certification helps to prevent some of the common indoor pollution threats from occurring. If you are interested in all the gritty details of what the UL Greenguard Gold certification requires and why it is important you can find all the info you need by clicking here.
About UL Greenguard Gold
This is a health-based differentiation standard issued by UL, and its Greenguard Gold certification is awarded for products which meet stringent chemical emissions limits. These also have allowable maximum limits for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) which are organic compounds that evaporate at room temperature and can be emitted from some carpets that would otherwise affect air quality. This certification ensures that products are tested in dynamic environmental chambers, and their chemical emissions are measured against established criteria.
Stringent Emissions Criteria
The Greenguard Gold standard goes further in certifying a product than the basic Greenguard standard. It takes into account safety margins for sensitive populations such as children and the elderly, meaning a product is fit for use in places like schools and health care settings. One way to think of the stringency (of the certification) is in how many VOCs it includes: 360 to 509, and also with even lower total VOC emission levels required. As an example, a standard Greenguard certification sets a threshold where a product cannot emit over 500 micrograms per cubic meter of total VOCs; Greenguard Gold often demands under 220 micrograms per cubic meter.
Health Benefits
The main advantage of Greenguard Gold-certified products is that they enhance indoor air quality and health and safety in indoor spaces. The chemicals and pollutants that are absent in certified products help reduce the impact of health-related issues such as headaches, allergies, respiratory diseases and more. Especially in enclosed spaces with little air circulation that can act as traps for received pollutants concentrations.
Responsibility to the Environment and Corporate Social Responsibility [Source]
Those companies that seek UL Greenguard Gold do so because they take an interest in the environment and social responsibility. Meeting UL Environment standards proves a dedication to the high-quality, low-emitting products that these manufacturers aim to produce. This is to not only keep end users safe but to let them know that we are trustworthy.
Buying Decisions
With a UL Greenguard Gold certification, these products are a better choice for the consumer, as well as architects and designers, who all seek the benefit of living and working in more desirable environments. And, in this day and age, with consumers increasingly aware of environmental impact and wanting to buy organic or natural products not just for health but for self-care and relaxation purposes, holding this certification does provide a tipping point.
Certified Products
UL Greenguard Gold products span many of the materials and products used in buildings and within building environments. Building material, furniture, flooring, paints, coatings, and also on electronic equipment are just a few examples.
For a deeper dive into information on how specific products comply with these stringent requirements, see UL Greenguard Gold.
Conclusion
UL Greenguard Gold certification means more than just a label; it is a proof of the higher environmental performance of the product. For those working to create safe, healthy indoor spaces, whether professionals dotting i's and crossing t's before nursery schools and governments will pay attention, or people napkin-sketching their own personal version in their minds, ensuring products have this level of sieve is key to reaching them. Since a wide range of products are eligible for obtaining and renewing the UL Greenguard Gold certification, consumers and businesses can both do their part in maintaining a healthier indoor environment.