NSF International Developing Science-Based Product Category Rule for Flat and Float Glass to Enable Environmental Attribute Reporting and Comparison Throughout Entire Product Life Cycle

Product Category Rules are science-based, internationally-recognized methods of reporting the environmental impact of a product throughout its entire life cycle; defining the elements to include in Environmental Product Declarations 

LEED Green Building Rating System Standards expected to recognize third-party, verified Environmental Product Declarations in LEED v.4

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (November 15, 2012) – NSF International, in cooperation with the Glass Association of North America’s (GANA) Float Glass Manufacturing Division, is developing a Product Category Rule (PCR) for flat and float glass. Flat glass includes sheet glass, plate glass, rolled glass and float glass*  and is used in a wide range of architectural, auto and decorative applications. This PCR will provide a science-based and internationally recognized method for reporting the environmental impact of glass 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.  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. 

NSF International's Sustainability division provides third-party  verification of EPDs by confirming that the data is collected in accordance  with the applicable PCR and meets all ISO requirements. The PCR for flat and  float glass products will be established in accordance with the international  environmental labeling standard ISO 14025 through the NSF National Center for  Sustainability Standards.

The NSF  National Center for Sustainability Standards (NCSS) will utilize an open  consultative process to develop the PCR with participation from an expert panel  of glass manufacturers, suppliers, regulatory agencies, life cycle  practitioners, trade associations, and end users. The NCSS has developed PCRs  and American national sustainability standards 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.

“There is growing interest in transparency of product  information both domestically and abroad. The inclusion of criteria supporting Environmental  Product Declarations in the LEED V4 Green Building Rating System Standards in  development will further increase demand if adopted,” said Tom Bruursema,  General Manager of NSF Sustainability.   “GANA is taking an important step in the green building industry to  develop the PCR that will enable the reporting and comparison of the  environmental attributes of their products.”

“Enabling comparisons of glass products on the basis of  their environmental impact, using standardized and scientifically sound data,  will provide a competitive incentive for glass manufacturers to focus on the  environmental impacts of their products and operations.  Developing a PCR for float and flat glass is  an important step for the industry toward a more sustainable future,” said Mike  Turnbull, Guardian Industries Corp., Glass Association of North America’s Float  Glass Manufacturing Division representative and NSF PCR Chair.

For more information on NSF Sustainability, visit nsfsustainability.org or contact Dennis Gillan at 734-476-2543 or

For more information on GANA, visit www.glasswebsite.com or contact Ashley  Charest at 785-271-0208 or

Editor’s note: To  schedule an interview with NSF Sustainability General Manager Tom Bruursema,  contact Greta Houlahan, Senior Communications Manager, at

About NSF  International: NSF International is an independent 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 (

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 GANA: The Glass Association of North America provides the organizational structure  for addressing the needs of a diverse membership.  Comprised of the Building Envelope  Contractors, Decorative, Energy, Flat Glass Manufacturing, Insulating,  Laminating, Mirror and Tempering Divisions and an Affiliate Classification,  GANA provides a forum for exchanging information and ideas and presenting a  unified voice on matters affecting the glass industry and for developing the  management and technical sophistication needed to remain competitive in a  constantly changing business environment. To learn more about GANA, go to  www.glasswebsite.com or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/glassnation.

* Float  glass is made by floating molten glass on a bed of molten metal, typically tin.  Modern windows are made from float glass.  (Source: Glass Association of  North America)

CONTACT: Greta Houlahan
  NSF International
  Phone: 734-913-5723
Email:

Ashley Charest
  Glass Association of North America
  Phone: 785-271-0208
Email: