Owens Corning announced 18 June 2003 that the company has been awarded Greenguard Certification(TM), by the Greenguard Environmental Institute(TM), for its insulating products including: PINK fiber gl…
Owens Corning announced 18 June 2003 that the company has been awarded Greenguard Certification(TM), by the Greenguard Environmental Institute(TM), for its insulating products including: PINK fiber glass batts and rolls, all blowing wools, Foamular(R) extruded foam, QuietZone(R) batts and acoustic floor mat, SelectSound(R) black acoustic blanket and FoamSealR(TM) ridged sill gasket. The certification demonstrates that the products contribute minimal emissions to indoor environments. With Greenguard Certification, building professionals, homeowners and others concerned about the products they use and live with, can be fully assured that an independent third party has certified Owens Corning products as helping to maintain better, cleaner indoor air quality. The Greenguard Environmental Institute, founded in 2001, is a global, Washington D.C.-based, non-profit organization with a scientific, third-party board to establish indoor air quality standards for interior products and building materials. An independent organization, the Greenguard Environmental Institute is not affiliated with or sponsored by any manufacturer or industry. Owens Corning is the first manufacturer to receive Greenguard Certification for its extruded foam board products. Additionally, many of Owens Corning“s insulating products available in Canada, including PINK fiber glass and rigid foam insulation, have also been awarded Greenguard Certification. “Being acknowledged by the Greenguard Environmental Institute is an honor and an affirmation of the all-around quality of our insulating products. And we“re thrilled to be the first manufacturer to have certified extruded foam products,” said George Kiemle, president of Owens Corning“s Insulating Systems Business. “Receiving Greenguard Certification is beneficial for our customers, because indoor air quality and “green building“ are of growing interest among construction professionals,” Kiemle continued. “Now, in addition to the assurance our customers get from the Owens Corning brand, this high-caliber third-party certification gives them added confidence that using our products results in structures that have few emissions – a confidence they can share with customers who are concerned about the air quality of their indoor environments.” Under the Greenguard Certification and labeling program, interior products and building materials are subjected to rigorous emissions tests. The certification process involves the testing of products in dynamic environmental chambers for emissions of formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), respirable particles and other pollutants. The Greenguard Certification for indoor air quality complies with criteria set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Green Building Council“s LEED(R) program, and other reputable organizations. Both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the EPA recently said indoor air quality was a critical environmental problem in the U.S. today. Only low-emitting products that do not compromise the air quality of indoor environments are awarded Greenguard Certification and labeling. Formaldehyde, as mentioned above, is one of several substances measured during the Greenguard testing process. All products awarded Greenguard Certification, including certified Owens Corning fiber glass insulating products, have been found to emit minimal amounts of formaldehyde, thereby supporting the conclusions of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the EPA that fiber glass insulation is not a significant source of formaldehyde in the home. “We“re pleased to award Greenguard certification to Owens Corning,” said Henning Bloech, director of communications for Greenguard. “Granting certification to such a recognized insulation brand helps our organization spread the message about the importance of indoor air quality to building professionals and homeowners everywhere.” “Since we invented fiber glass insulation in the 1930s, Owens Corning has been committed to the development of environmentally friendly, safe, high-quality products. We applaud the Greenguard Environmental Institute for urging more and more manufacturers to do the same,” said Kiemle. “This certification goes hand in hand with our continued dedication to promote energy efficiency, an issue that is also critical to the environment and the sustainability of our natural resources.”