Low-Emitting Materials

Key contribution

Glass itself is a non-emitting source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In addition, our mirrors and lacquered glass rank at the highest score of A+ according to the French standards on VOCs. This reflects the commitment to green building principles pursued by Saint-Gobain Glass.

Aim

To reduce concentrations of chemical contaminants that can damage air quality, human health, productivity, and the environment.

Detailed requirement

This credit covers volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions into indoor air and the VOC content of materials, as well as the testing methods by which indoor VOC emissions are determined. Different materials must meet different requirements to be considered compliant for this credit. The building interior and exterior are organized into seven categories, each with different threshold for compliance. Walls, ceilings and flooring are defined as building interior products; each layer of the assembly, including paints, coatings, adhesives, and sealants, must be evaluated for compliance. Insulation is tracked separately.

Read the detailed requirement for Low-Emitting Materials.

Our contribution

Glass is inherently a non-emitting source, so it does not emit any VOCs.

For coated glass, the coating is not in contact with indoor air as the coating is placed on the interior face of the glazing.

Glass can also be found in furniture such as mirrors (MIRALITE PURE, MIRALITE PURE SAFE, MIRALITE REVOLUTION and MIRASTAR) and lacquered glass (PLANILAQUE COLOR-IT, PLANILAQUE STADIP, VITRIO, DECOLIT, MY DECOPRINT and MAGNETIC glass marker board). For this type of glass, in accordance with the French Regulation on VOCs and construction products (introduced in April 2011), these types of glass rank at the highest scoring of A+, meaning <1000 µg/m 3 in total VOC and <10 µg/m 3 in formaldehyde. All information is available in the VOC declaration below.

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