LEED v4 Is Open for Member Ballot - Deadline Is June 30

After a one-year delay, the US Green Building Council (USGBC) released its final version of the LEED v4 Rating System for member ballot. The voting period, which is open through Sunday, June 30, is the last step in the delivery process of the LEED update. The USGBC has provided a number of prerecorded Webcasts to help clarify the process and credits which the voter can view. NRMCA will provide follow-up recommendations to committee members regarding the final publication by Friday, June 21.

LEED v4 includes changes to all major LEED rating systems that affect new construction, existing construction, homes and neighborhoods. The major overhaul of the Material and Resource credit category focuses on manufacturer transparency. Many of the new credits from draft versions of the two-year long process such as Life Cycle Assessments, Type III Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), Responsible Sourcing of Raw Material, Health Product Declarations (HPDs) and Material Ingredients Disclosure remain and will have a significant effect on the materials industry.

NRMCA encourages industry members who are USGBC members in good standing to vote. Members enter their vote on the Web site with these choices:

• Affirmative, I approve.

• Affirmative, I approve, and would like to add the following comments.

• Abstain from casting a vote.

• Negative, I do not approve for the following reasons.