What is really behind Green Standards?

With many taking the plunge and “going green,” what green standards should people follow? Leigh Stringer, Vice President of HOK and Deborah Fuller HOK’s RID, IDDA, LEED AP BD+C, are examining the credibility of green office standards.

The Green Workplace Series
A series on understanding green standards

Many product standards are self-defined and are not audited by an independent party. Follow their series on indoor air quality, wood forestry, furniture, energy, carpet, green housekeeping, and textile certifications.

In March 2010, similar results were found in a report released by the U.S. Government Accountability entitled Energy Star Program – Covert Testing Sows the ENERGY STAR Program Certification Process is Vulnerable to Fraud and Abuse. The evidence in the report supports such a loaded title. In one instance, a  gasoline powered alarm clock was approved as an ENERGY STAR appliance without even questioning the product description.

Be an educated consumer, if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

-Jacquelyn Renée Schneider

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