GREENGUARD Certification

The majority of everyday chemical exposure in people occurs through the air we breathe in our homes, offices, schools and other indoor environments. These airborne chemicals are commonly referred to as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and are used to manufacture and maintain building materials, interior furnishing, cleaning products and personal care products. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and various researchers have conducted studies that reveal two key findings:

VOCs are common in indoor environments.
Their levels indoors may be between two and 1,000 times higher than outdoors.

There may be anywhere from 50 to hundreds of individual VOCs circulating through indoor air at any time. Some may produce objectionable odors if the concentration of VOCs is at low levels, but many have no noticeable smell. Many VOCs are irritants and can cause headaches; eye, nose and throat irritation; and dizziness. Long-term exposure to certain VOCs may lead to chronic diseases including cancer. The products used to build and furnish our indoor environments can have a significant impact on indoor air pollution levels.

Our UL GREENGUARD Certification program has established test methods and emission limits for a variety of product groups, including:

Mattresses

Furniture

Flooring

Building materials

Electronic equipment

Interiors

Cleaning products

Children's and babyproducts

The UL GREENGUARD Certification

The UL GREENGUARD Certification is the industry’s first to address indoor air quality concerns comprehensively, based on rigorous testing standards like UL 2818. The UL GREENGUARD mark is a trusted mark that enables audiences of all types make informed, healthier choices. All certified products are subject to a review of the manufacturing process and routine testing to demonstrate minimal impact on the indoor environment.

The EPA and the state of Washington initially used UL GREENGUARD Certification emissions limits as purchasing specifications for furniture and commercial building products. UL GREENGUARD Certification criteria have served as the basis for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) credit for low-emitting furniture since 2002. Office furniture products that are UL GREENGUARD Certified also comply with the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer’s Association (BIFMA) X7.1 standard.

UL GREENGUARD Gold Certification

The UL GREENGUARD Gold Certification Standard is an elevated certification, providing greater protection for sensitive groups. This certification highlights its role in contributing to healthier environments where safety and well-being is paramount. UL GREENGUARD GOLD sets even lower VOC emission limits, making it the optimal certification for products in nurseries, schools, healthcare facilities, and homes where children’s safety is paramount. In addition to limiting emissions of more than 360 VOCs and total chemical emissions, UL GREENGUARD Gold Certified products must also comply with the requirements of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions from Indoor Sources Using Environmental Chambers, also known as California Section 01350.

UL GREENGUARD creates peace of mind for safety-sensitive consumers

Today’s consumers express a notable interest in prioritizing indoor air quality at home, and in turn—a growing demand on retailers and manufacturers for safer, healthier products that align with this interest. According to research from UL Solutions, 54% of consumers strongly agree that improving air quality at home is a priority, and 71% of consumers prioritize safety and well-being when selecting products for their homes.¹

But existing safety standards don’t address VOC emissions. UL GREENGUARD Certification meets this demand by providing clear assurance that certified products contribute to improved indoor air quality, making it an essential mark of trust for families seeking healthier, safer living spaces. With UL GREENGUARD, manufacturers differentiate themselves in the market and gain access to premium retail channels focused on safer, low-emission products.

It’s no wonder 83% of consumers familiar with the mark believe certified products contribute to improved air quality.² They know UL GREENGUARD is part of the UL Solutions family, and that UL Solutions has a deep heritage as a leader in safety science.

Show commitment to more sustainable buildings and materials

UL GREENGUARD Certification helps manufacturers make and market products with low chemical emissions that contribute to healthier indoor air. More than 450 federal purchasers, retailers, green building rating tools and building codes around the world recognize, refer to and prefer UL GREENGUARD certified products.

Numerous building programs, standards and specifications worldwide recognize and refer to the UL GREENGUARD Certification program. Products with UL GREENGUARD Certification or UL GREENGUARD Gold Certification can contribute to achieving points in established green building rating systems such as LEED, Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), Fitwel and others; satisfy code or ordinance criteria; and meet IAQ-specific request for proposal (RFP) requirements.

The benefits of UL GREENGUARD Certification

As a global safety science leader, UL Solutions applies our recognized expertise in IAQ by empowering retailers and product manufacturers to demonstrate that their products are healthier because they emit low chemical emissions. That helps them show their commitment to health and sustainability and gain a competitive advantage.^{3, 4}

UL Solutions is a globally recognized leader in IAQ.
We certify products for low chemical emissions based on rigorous scientific standards.
UL GREENGUARD Certification shows products are low-emitting and contribute to cleaner indoor air.
UL Solutions research found 55% of consumers are willing to pay more for UL GREENGUARD certified products.
Certified products are screened for more than 15,000 VOCs known to pollute indoor air.

UL GREENGUARD Certification gives manufacturers a distinct competitive advantage in the marketplace, demonstrating their commitment to safety and the environment while unlocking premium health-conscious markets.

The UL GREENGUARD Certification program is a proprietary program owned by UL Solutions. UL Solutions is the only owner, operator and issuer of the UL GREENGUARD Certification and Marks.