Community Updates

NSF International and Wilsonart LLC Developing Science–Based Product Category Rule (PCR) for Residential Countertops to Enable Reporting and Comparison of Environmental Attributes

Published 11 years ago | About a 4 minute read

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (January 21, 2013) – NSF International, in cooperation with Texas-based decorative surfacing product producer Wilsonart LLC, is developing a Product Category Rule (PCR) for residential countertops. This PCR will provide a science-based and internationally recognized method for reporting the environmental impact of residential countertop products and materials throughout their entire life cycle. Product Category Rules define the elements of a life cycle assessment (LCA) for a particular product group and what to include in an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), a third-party-verified report summarizing the data generated from a life cycle assessment into a simple format. LCAs measure inputs, outputs and environmental impacts of a product across its lifespan, from cradle to grave. The EPD is the third-party-verified report that presents and summarizes the data generated from a life cycle assessment in a simple format. This allows the user to analyze a single product and provides a basis of comparison among related products. NSF Sustainability, a division of NSF International that provides sustainability standards development, testing, certification and claims validation for commercial and consumer green products, provides EPD third-party verification by confirming that the data was collected in accordance with the applicable PCR and meets all ISO requirements. This is important as the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) has a pilot credit that recognizes materials that have third-party verified EPDs. The residential countertop PCR will be established in accordance with the international environmental labeling standard ISO 14025 through the NSF National Center for Sustainability Standards (NCSS). The NCSS will utilize an open consultative process to develop the PCR with participation from an expert panel of countertop manufacturers, suppliers, regulatory agencies, environmental organizations and end users. The NCSS has developed PCRs and American National Standards for sustainability for a wide range of product categories, including chemicals, commercial and institutional furniture, carpets, wallcovering, textiles, flooring, building products and materials, and is developing others for broad industries including water treatment and distribution systems. “The Product Category Rule will provide the industry a much needed standard for measuring and reporting the environmental attributes of residential countertops, providing a basis for improvement and a process that will enable reductions in environmental impacts over time. We look forward to the positive impact this will make on the industry and those that seek more sustainable building and furnishing materials for their homes,” said Steve Lubowinski, Research Fellow, Wilsonart LLC, who is leading their LCA activities. “The residential countertop PCR will enable interior designers and architects to source countertops with environmentally preferable attributes using comparative data that has been gathered and reported in a standardized fashion. This is crucial in helping homebuilders and remodelers source products that meet their customers’ environmental goals,” said Tom Bruursema, General Manager of NSF International’s Sustainability division. For more information on NSF Sustainability, visit nsfsustainability.org or contact Dennis Gillan at 734-476-2543 or [email protected]. Editor’s note: To schedule an interview with NSF Sustainability General Manager Tom Bruursema, contact Greta Houlahan at [email protected] or 734-913-5723. About NSF International NSF International is an independent global organization that writes standards, and tests and certifies products for the commercial goods, food, water and consumer goods industries to minimize adverse health effects and protect the environment (nsf.org). Founded in 1944, NSF is committed to protecting human health and safety worldwide. NSF is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Food and Water Safety and Indoor Environment. NSF Sustainability draws upon this expertise in standards development, product assurance and certification, advisory services and quality management systems to help companies green their products, operations, systems and supply chains. Through its National Center for Sustainability Standards, NSF has developed sustainability standards for product categories such as chemicals, building products and materials, and water quality. NSF works with leading regulators, scientists, engineers, public health and environmental health professionals, and industry representatives to develop these transparent, science-based standards, protocols, and product category rules. NSF Sustainability also provides environmental product declaration verification by confirming that the data was collected in accordance with the applicable product category rule. Additional NSF services include Education and Training, safety audits for the food and water industries, nutritional/dietary supplement certification, organic certification provided by QAI (Quality Assurance International) and management systems registrations delivered through NSF International Strategic Registrations (NSF-ISR). NSF-ISR services include ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems registration, Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and Chain of Custody (COC) certifications. About Wilsonart Wilsonart International Holdings, LLC is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and distributors of high pressure laminates and other engineered surfaces used in furniture, office and retail space, countertops, worktops and other applications. The company operates under the Wilsonart, Resopal, Polyrey and Arborite brands and has achieved success through a combination of outstanding service, high-quality products and a focus on continuously redefining the laminate surface through improved performance and aesthetics. For more information, visit www.WilsonartFuture.com/AboutUs. CONTACTS: Greta Houlahan NSF International Phone: 734-913-5723 Email: [email protected] Tammy Weadock Wilsonart LLC Phone: 254-207-3444 Email: [email protected]