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Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Project Indoor Air Products Pilot
The objective of this project is to verify environmental claims of products used in the indoor environment. Testing protocols will be developed and approved by a stakeholder group (stakeholder group is listed below). To ensure wide acceptability and comparability of data, the protocols will
- include strong quality control and assurance,
- be based on existing emissions chamber test methods,
- be approved by consensus of manufacturers and users, and
- be published as an EPA document available as input for standards organizations.
The benefits of this work include (1) providing a forum for industry, users, and government to explore scientific questions related to the indoor environment (this can lead to a consensus-based test protocol); (2) providing context for an industry's product in the indoor environment through verification testing; (3) simplifying the acquisition of environmentally friendly products; and (4) ensuring that testing is credible by providing strong quality assurance controls and a laboratory proficiency program.
The objective of this pilot is to establish private sector verification or certification programs in selected sectors. Three indoor product sectors were selected for inclusion in the pilot:
- Commercial furniture
- Ventilation air filters
- Electronic particulate air cleaners.
Stakeholders
- Users and purchasers of products used in buildings, and by building owners and operators
- Product developers, manufacturers, and vendors
- Enablers, including architects, consultants, government, and non-government organizations (NGOs)
- Participating industries include the commercial furniture, ventilation air filter, and electronic air cleaner industries
Status
Commercial Furniture
The commercial furniture test protocol has been completed and verified. The
protocol has been adapted by several organizations including The Business
and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer's Association (BIFMA) for use in
private sector programs. The protocol has also been adapted for several major
furniture procurements including the furniture procurement for EPA's new facility
in Research Triangle Park, NC.
Ventilation Air Filters
The protocol and test method have been completed and verified. The protocol
has been adapted by the National Air Filtration Association (NAFA) as part
of their ventilation air filter certification program.
Electronic Air Cleaners
The test protocol for electronic air cleaners is being developed. It is expected
that the protocol will be completed in early summer 2002.
Additional information about the Indoor Air Products ETV Pilot can be found
at http://etv.rti.org.