GREENGUARD Certification Test Procedures

GREENGUARD Certification Test Procedures

Chemical emission test methods. To test products for total volatile organic compounds, individual VOCs, ozone, phthalates, formaldehyde, and construction materials, advanced dynamic environmental chamber testing is used alongside exposure modelling and analytical measurement. Allowable limits are defined for known or suspected irritants and for major pollutants with more serious health impacts.

Most chemical testing uses high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography or mass spectrometry. Some pollutants are measured with real-time monitoring tools. Certified products must be re-tested and verified on a defined cycle to keep certification in place.

Microbial Resistance Test Methods

In 2004, a pilot programme was set up to evaluate the mould resistance of materials used in building construction and indoor applications. The test procedure, developed after ASTM Standard D 6329 and incorporated into the GREENGUARD Microbial Resistance Programme, assesses products including coatings and paints, sealants and adhesives, wallcoverings, insulation, ceiling tiles, window components, and other dry and wet materials. The test method has been validated for reproducibility and applicability across a wide product range. Its advantage is a quantitative scale for ranking the resistance of your products against their peers.