The indoor products we are surrounded by can release thousands of potentially harmful chemicals. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gasses from certain solids or liquids.
Once airborne, VOCs can easily be inhaled by building occupants. Poor indoor air quality can trigger a number of health problems, including asthma and allergy attacks, headaches and flu-like symptoms.
When a product bears the GREENGUARD Gold Certification it signifies that it is designed for indoor spaces in such a way that it meets strict chemical emission limits. These products have backing from UL Environment, a business unit of UL (Underwriters Laboratories), based on empirical scientific data. The idea is to produce healthier interiors free from harmful emissions. The GREENGUARD Gold standard includes health based criteria for additional chemicals and also requires lower
total VOC emissions levels to ensure that products are acceptable for use in environments such as schools and healthcare facilities.
Winsted achieved the worldwide GREENGUARD Gold Certification by submitting their product lines to U.L. for precise testing procedures. Some of the tested components include: substrate materials, PVA glues, plastic laminates, powder coated baked enamel finishes on aluminum, and steel components. Winsted’s international manufacturing practices and finished products complied with the organization’s comprehensive standards for low emissions of VOCs, which helps everyone breathe just a little easier.
Winsted Consoles and Workstations offered under the GREENGUARD Gold Certificate include: Atlas, Envision, E-Soc, FreeForm, Horizon, Impulse, Matrix, M-View, Prestige (Ascend, Insight, Sight-line and Slat-Wall), Pro-Series Equipment Racks, Reception Desks and Talon2.
GREENGUARD Gold Certification criteria have been the basis for the LEED EQ 4.5 credit for Low-Emitting Materials: System Furniture since 2002. Office furniture products that are GREENGUARD Certified are also compliant with the BIFMA X7.1 standard and BIFMA e3 credits 7.6.1, 7.6.2 and 7.6.3. Also complies with California Section 01350.
In addition, GREENGUARD Gold Certification is recommended by the EPA as an environmental standard approved for use by federal purchasers in order to comply with Executive Order 13693, which states that products purchased by federal agencies be environmentally preferable.
