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Media Centre >> News >> LEED partly allows use of European VOC test data

Some European VOC test data now can be used for LEED projects outside the USA

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After an addendum of July 2012, LEED now accepts use of European test data for projects outside the USA within these rating schemes:

This means exactly:

  • Projects outside the U.S. may use test data from AgBB/DIBt tests and equivalent (GUT, EMICODE, Blue Angel) obtained not later than after 14 days in test chamber; in reality most times this will be test results from a test after 3 days.
  • European test results for carpets or floorings need to be converted into California air concentrations by multiplication of the European test result with 0.7 (for covering the differences in loading factor and ventilation rate).
  • The test result can be used if all test results, after that conversion, comply with the limit values of CDPH Section 01350 already at that earlier point of time.
  • The addendum states for caprolactam: If test results obtained at the 3 day or 7 day time point are used, the test result, after that conversion, must be less than 1/2 of the limit specified CDPH Section 01350, because the caprolactam emission may increase slightly after the first week.
    This may sound strange because the referenced standard method CDPH 01350 does not contain any CREL value for caprolactam in its present version, but the 2004 version referenced by LEED does (100 µg/m³).
    This LEED Alternative Compliance Path (ACP) will not be accepted in the other LEED rating schemes such as schools, or commercial interior. Therefore any manufacturer selling its products to all kind of LEED projects needs to maintain or generate test data based on the US testing method.

For Please see www.eurofins.com/leed-textile-floorings and www.eurofins.com/leed-non-textile-floorings