Looking for resources to help you learn more about the green building movement? The following organizations provide third party certification or verification for new and/or existing building projects:

Canada Green Building Council

The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) was formed to expedite the design and construction of green buildings in Canada. A broad-based inclusive coalition of representatives from different segments of the design and building industry, CaGBC works to change industry standards, develop best design practices and guidelines, advocate for green buildings and develop educational tools to support members in implementing sustainable design and construction practices. There’s information here on pursuing LEED certification for buildings in Canada and becoming a LEED Accredited Professional (AP) as well.

Green Globes

The Green Globes system is an online, interactive assessment and automated reporting tool to achieve independent, third-party certification of new and existing energy-efficient and environmentally friendly buildings in the U.S. and Canada. In the U.S., the system is administered by the Green Building Initiative (GBI). In 2005, GBI became the first green building organization to be accredited as a standards developer by ANSI, and began the process of establishing Green Globes as an official ANSI standard. Early in 2006, the GBI ANSI technical committee was formed.

GreenGuard Environmental Institute

Founded in 2001, GreenGuard Environmental Institute (GEI) is a non-profit, industry-independent organization that oversees the GreenGuard certification programs with a goal of protecting human health and quality of life through programs that improve indoor air that people breathe.

As an ANSI Accredited Standards Developer, GEI establishes acceptable standards for a range of products germane to the construction industry. Over 165,000 GreenGuard-certified products must meet stringent, third-party standards for low chemical emissions based on established health standards and undergo rigorous testing and verification processes on a regular basis. GreenGuard certification is broadly recognized and accepted by a number of green building programs, including USGBC’s LEED program.

Green Seal

Green Seal is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to safeguarding the environment and transforming the marketplace by promoting the manufacture, purchase and use of environmentally responsible products and services. Green Seal’s evaluations are based on state-of-the-art science and information using internationally recognized methods and procedures. Efforts are strongly focused on a range of cleaners, cleaning services, floor cleaners, paints and coatings, papers and newsprint, windows and doors and lodging properties.

GreenSpec

Reminiscent of Consumer Reports with a green spin, GreenSpec is one resource of environmentally responsible products offered by BuildingGreen.com, a Brattleboro, Vt.-based independent publishing company that’s committed to providing accurate, unbiased and timely green design information to improve environmental performance and reduce adverse impacts of buildings. It does this through a range of vehicles, including GreenSpec, whose editors identify potential green products through a variety of sources, including trade shows and press releases and then evaluate those potential candidates with a comprehensive set of criteria for environmental performance, which are regularly revised and updated.

Scientific Certification Systems

Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) is a leading third-party provider of certification, auditing and testing services and standards. SCS aims to recognize the highest levels of performance in environmental protection and social responsibility in the private and public sectors, and to stimulate continuous improvement in sustainable development. SCS offers evaluation and certification services to a broad range of manufacturing sectors which include building materials, hard surface flooring, finishes and cleaning products, among others.

The Web site can guide visitors to achieving LEED certification by using SCS-certified products. SCS is also a leading provider of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) chain-of-custody certification.

U.S. Green Building Council

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a non-profit community of leaders working to make sustainable, green buildings available to everyone within a generation. The Web site is a great resource for certifying green buildings, joining USGBC as an organization or an individual, the place to sign up for courses, workshops and the Greenbuild expo, learn about green building, and of course to learn about and pursue LEED certification or becoming a LEED Accredited Professional—a building industry professional who has demonstrated a full understanding of green building and the LEED Green Building Rating System and has the skills to facilitate the LEED certification process. USGBC established LEED guidelines. USGBC established LEED as a third-party certification program for design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. It’s become the national benchmark.

“Leafing through green resources” originally appeared in the August 2008 issue of TileLetter magazine, the monthly publication of the National Tile Contractors Association. NTCA, a member of the U.S. Green Building Council, is the world’s largest trade association for tile contractors, now in its 61st year. For more information, visit www.tile-assn.com, www.tileletter.com or call NTCA at 601.939.2071.