Low emitting materials VOC Emissions Credit - Quick Reference

VOC emissions vs VOC content: emissions are the amount released into indoor air; content is the amount present in materials.
Categories of interior/exterior materials and products with specified thresholds to meet the credit.
Project-wide calculation uses a budget method across assemblies; points are awarded based on percent compliance thresholds.
Compliance relies on testing, documentation, and third-party verification; inherently non-emitting sources are exempt from VOC testing.
Exterior applied products can be included if within the project scope.

Category 1: interior paints and coatings (on-site) — thresholds indicate 100% by volume emissions and 100% VOC content (per category requirements).
Category 2: interior adhesives and sealants (on-site), flooring adhesive — thresholds: emissions ≥ 90% by volume; VOC content ≥ 100%; general emission and VOC content evaluation applies.
Category 3: flooring — threshold: 100% emissions and 100% VOC content; general emission evaluation.
Category 4: composite wood — 100% emissions and 100% VOC content; evaluate according to composite wood requirements.
Category 5: ceiling, walls, insulation (thermal and acoustic) — 100% thresholds; general emission evaluation; insulation requirements noted for healthcare and schools.
Category 6: furniture — threshold ≥ 90% by cost (budget/volume basis); emissions and content requirements; furniture-specific regulation.
Category 7: healthcare and schools — exterior applied products (when applicable) — threshold ≥ 90% by volume; emissions and content requirements.
Table two indicates points assigned by number of compliant product categories. Budget calculation method organizes by category and project teams.

Budget method: six assemblies are considered: flooring, ceilings, walls, thermal insulation, acoustic insulation, furniture; plus healthcare category for schools.
Points system (percent compliance translates to points):
- 50% to 70% compliance → 1 point
- 70% to 90% compliance → 2 points
- > 90% compliance → 3 points
Equation 1: Total percentage compliance for projects without furniture $P{ ext{no ext{ furniture}}} = rac{W{ ext{comp}} + C{ ext{comp}} + S{ ext{comp}}}{T} imes 100$ where:
- $W_{ ext{comp}}$ = compliant walls percentage
- $C_{ ext{comp}}$ = compliant ceilings percentage
- $S_{ ext{comp}}$ = compliant insulation/ceilings surface percentage (as defined by project scope)
- $T$ = total surface area.
Equation 2: Total percentage compliance for projects with furniture $P{ ext{with ext{ furniture}}} = rac{W{ ext{comp}} + C{ ext{comp}} + F{ ext{comp}} + I_{ ext{comp}}}{T} imes 100$ where:
- $F{ ext{comp}}$ = compliant furniture percentage; $I{ ext{comp}}$ = compliant insulation, etc.
Equation 3: System percentage compliant (for future system assessment)
$P{ ext{system}} = rac{S1^{c} + S2^{c} + S3^{c}}{S1 + S2 + S3} imes 100$ where $Si^{c}$ are compliant surface areas of layer $i$ and $S_i$ are total surface areas of layer $i$.

Product and relayer must meet all applicable requirements for inherently non-emitting sources (e.g., stone, ceramic, glass, unfinished wood) which are fully compliant without VOC emissions.
For other products, general emission evaluation plus VOC content evaluation is required.
Testing methods referenced include:
- ISO 16000 series (e.g., ISO 16000-3, -6, -9, -11) for VOC testing in air and emissions evaluation.
- CDPH standard method (e.g., CDPH method E, or equivalent) for VOC emissions testing.
- Where applicable, testing may involve ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories; claims must be verifiable by accredited labs.
Outside the US, use recognized international test methods (e.g., CDPH equivalents or ISO-based methods) and ensure compatibility with local regulations.
Documentation must include exposure scenario used for compliance; for wet-applied products, specify amount applied (mass per unit area).
Additional VOC content requirements for wet-applied products may reference regional limits (e.g., CRB SCM guidelines for architectural coatings) and other national/regional rules.

Tests must be conducted by laboratories accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 where applicable.
Manufacturers may provide first-party and third-party claims; third-party certification is preferred for project compliance.
For future system evaluations, compliance may rely on ANSI/BIFMA-related performance evaluations for furniture and related components.

Subtraction of exempt components may be allowed in VOC calculations; disclosure is required of the exempt components and their mass fraction in the overall composition.
Any subtraction of exempt components should be clearly documented and justified in the compliance narrative.

Identify project scope: interior vs exterior products; which assemblies are within budget method.
Classify products into categories 1–7 and verify appropriate emission and content thresholds.
Use the budget method to allocate compliance across assemblies and compute overall percent compliance.
Convert percent compliance to points using the 50–70/70–90/>90 thresholds for quick scoring.
Ensure testing by accredited labs and maintain documentation for all emissions and content results, including exposure scenarios.
Include explicit disclosure for any exempt components used in VOC calculations.