Sources: U.S. Green Building Council, Washington, D.C.; CP staff
After nearly a year of stakeholder exchanges, the USGBC Supply Chain Optimization Working Group recommends three minimum steps to supplement the Materials & Resources credit (Building Disclosure and Optimization–Material Ingredients, option 3) for LEED v4 certification:
- Publicize guiding principles that include commitments to continual improvement, sharing of information, green chemistry and green engineering.
- Implement an ISO 14001-type environmental management system, with added elements addressing major human health and safety impacts of their operations.
- Ensure that direct suppliers of hazardous ingredients have corresponding environmental, health & safety management systems.
“The process helps manufacturers distinguish their products by embedding health and safety-based programs within the fabric of their management and operations,” says USGBC Chief Product Officer Scot Horst.
“Th[e] group exemplifies that an advancement in sustainability and healthy buildings is best developed through the understanding and cooperation of all participants along the supply chain,” adds BASF Admixture Systems Manager, Applied Sustainability David Green.
The USGBC LEED Steering Committee unanimously approved the Supply Chain Optimization Working Group, spanning chemical suppliers, raw material or building product suppliers and manufacturers, design teams, academics, government entities and Council staff. After a December 2014 kick off in Washington, D.C., the group has held upwards of 80 conference calls and two additional two-day meetings.