Product Categories Project Schedule Research About Help

About

Revised August 2004

In October 2003, the Division of State Architect (DSA) launched the development of a first of its kind database designed to provide a list of environmentally preferable products (EPP) for school construction. The project scope of work includes the following basic phases: research, criteria development, product screening, and database publishing. A research report looking at existing programs and resources pertinent to this project was completed in February and posted via email and on the project website. Concurrently, the project team surveyed architects, contractors, and school district officials to identify the products that are most widely used in school construction in California.

The research phase formed the foundation for the development of criteria that could be used to differentiate environmentally preferable products. The research into the products being specified for use in CA schools also showed a wide variety of products being used, similar to the trends in overall commercial building construction. Per California Senate Bill 373 (the legislation that initiated this project), an environmentally preferable product is defined as:

A product that promotes healthy indoor environments for children, and demonstrates the use of environmentally preferable materials and systems. When compared to other similar products with similar functions an environmentally preferable product has some, or all, of the following characteristics relative to those similar products serving similar functions:

Less hazardous to public health, safety and the environment.
Consumes less energy in their manufacture or use.
Contains more, or any amount of, recycled or post-consumer material content in their manufacture.
Results in less potential waste.
Results in less harm to indoor air quality.
Consumes less water.
Includes features, or is manufactured from materials, that promotes recycling or reuse of the product.

In March 2004, the EPP Database team began the process of researching individual product categories and outlining screening criteria based on the guidance from SB373. Between April and July 2004, draft standards for composite panels, gypsum board, and fiber-based insulation were released for public comment. Following the public comment periods, a Response to Comments document was published. A fourth category, Adhesives and Sealants, was initiated in late July. On July 27, an Industry Roundtable meeting was held to discuss progress to date and to receive feedback on the process of creating the EPP criteria and draft standards documents.

At the Industry Roundtable, attendees voiced support for the project and strong concern over the process used to arrive at the draft standards against which products will be evaluated. A comprehensive summary of the Roundtable was emailed to all attendees and published on the project website. Key concerns included, but were not limited to, a request to involve manufacturer representatives prior to the beginning the drafting of each standard, a request for more time for manufacturers to provide input, and a request to actively verify the extent to which current products could meet the proposed EPP criteria.

As a result of the feedback at the Roundtable, the EPP Database team has re-started the criteria development process with a greater focus on outreach and a substantially longer time period to receive input prior to writing the draft standards.

When the EPP standards are finalized, the project team will produce an application t oguide manufacturers in submitting the information necessary to show conformance wit hthe various criteria. There will be NO COST to submit products for database listing consideration in this initial screening period. At that time, the State will determine the best means of continuing to screen new products, renew existing products, and update the standards.

Product Categories Project Schedule Research About Help
EPP Database Project About Archive Press Release Project Scope The Team Revised August 2004 In October 2003, the Division of State Architect (DSA) launched the development of a first of its kind database designed to provide a list of environmentally preferable products (EPP) for school construction. The project scope of work includes the following basic phases: research, criteria development, product screening, and database publishing. A research report looking at existing programs and resources pertinent to this project was completed in February and posted via email and on the project website. Concurrently, the project team surveyed architects, contractors, and school district officials to identify the products that are most widely used in school construction in California. The research phase formed the foundation for the development of criteria that could be used to differentiate environmentally preferable products. The research into the products being specified for use in CA schools also showed a wide variety of products being used, similar to the trends in overall commercial building construction. Per California Senate Bill 373 (the legislation that initiated this project), an environmentally preferable product is defined as: A product that promotes healthy indoor environments for children, and demonstrates the use of environmentally preferable materials and systems. When compared to other similar products with similar functions an environmentally preferable product has some, or all, of the following characteristics relative to those similar products serving similar functions: Less hazardous to public health, safety and the environment. Consumes less energy in their manufacture or use. Contains more, or any amount of, recycled or post-consumer material content in their manufacture. Results in less potential waste. Results in less harm to indoor air quality. Consumes less water. Includes features, or is manufactured from materials, that promotes recycling or reuse of the product. In March 2004, the EPP Database team began the process of researching individual product categories and outlining screening criteria based on the guidance from SB373. Between April and July 2004, draft standards for composite panels, gypsum board, and fiber-based insulation were released for public comment. Following the public comment periods, a Response to Comments document was published. A fourth category, Adhesives and Sealants, was initiated in late July. On July 27, an Industry Roundtable meeting was held to discuss progress to date and to receive feedback on the process of creating the EPP criteria and draft standards documents. At the Industry Roundtable, attendees voiced support for the project and strong concern over the process used to arrive at the draft standards against which products will be evaluated. A comprehensive summary of the Roundtable was emailed to all attendees and published on the project website. Key concerns included, but were not limited to, a request to involve manufacturer representatives prior to the beginning the drafting of each standard, a request for more time for manufacturers to provide input, and a request to actively verify the extent to which current products could meet the proposed EPP criteria. As a result of the feedback at the Roundtable, the EPP Database team has re-started the criteria development process with a greater focus on outreach and a substantially longer time period to receive input prior to writing the draft standards. When the EPP standards are finalized, the project team will produce an application t oguide manufacturers in submitting the information necessary to show conformance wit hthe various criteria. There will be NO COST to submit products for database listing consideration in this initial screening period. At that time, the State will determine the best means of continuing to screen new products, renew existing products, and update the standards.

Copyright 2004 State of California. All Rights Reserved. Designated trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners.