- Does LEED certify products?
- How does a product contribute towards LEED certification?
- How can we promote our product as contributing towards LEED?
- How can our company help advance green building?
Does LEED certify products?
LEED does not certify, endorse or promote any products, services or companies. LEED is a program that certifies only green buildings, spaces, neighborhoods, homes, cities and communities. The LEED rating system awards credits/points for the environmental performance of buildings based on whole-building characteristics and comprehensive strategies used in the project. LEED credits are not awarded based on the use of a singular product; rather project teams will need to comply with a certain percentage of all products and materials permanently installed in the project to meet the performance standards and requirements cited in the LEED rating system.
How does a product contribute towards LEED certification?
We encourage all product manufacturers and distributors to familiarize themselves with the LEED rating systems to see where their product fits and how it might be used to help projects improve sustainability and earn LEED credits. All of our rating systems and supporting documentation templates are available for free download from our online LEED Credit Library. Specifically, please take a look at the Materials & Resources (MR) and the Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ) credit categories to see which standards, requirements, and/or third-party certifications might be achievable by your product. These two credit categories are most applicable to materials and products used in LEED projects, and the credit page for each credit lists the requirements that your product will need to meet in order to contribute. Note that for most credits, projects can choose from several options or pathways. This means that when you read about options/paths in the credit library, the decision of which one is pursued is up to the project team. We recommend coordinating with each project team on what set of documentation or certifications might be needed and whether your product can help contribute.
To get started, we recommend reaching out to the third-party organizations listed in the MR and EQ credit requirements to discuss what certifying your product through their programs might involve, and/or evaluate whether you can comply with one of the manufacturer's self-disclosure documents.
How can we promote our product as contributing towards LEED?
For guidelines on how to promote products and services related to LEED, please refer to the LEED in Product Literature section of the USGBC Trademark Policy and Branding Guidelines.
How can our company help advance green building?
To learn more about how you and your company can help advance green building, achieve your environmental and economic goals, and grow your expertise, please see these additional resources:
- Connect to LEED projects in your market. LEED projects in your region can be found using our online LEED Project Directory. The project list can be exported to excel for additional search and filter options.
- Become a USGBC Member. USGBC company membership sets you apart. Join USGBC to establish yourself as a leader in the green building industry. Learn more.
- Exhibit at Greenbuild. Reach thousands of green building professionals by exhibiting at USGBC's Greenbuild International Conference. Learn more about Greenbuild.
- Explore and grow your expertise. Join us for online education courses and live events or earn a LEED credential.