[Washington, DC] – The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association applauds the final approval of the National Green Building Standard by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) on January 29. The National Green Building Standard (NGBS), the first green rating system approved by ANSI, covers all residential construction, including single-family homes, apartments and condos, land development and remodeling and renovation.

 

“NLBMDA is pleased that the National Green Building Standard has been approved by ANSI and will offer our members another avenue to work with their customers to provide consumers with green homes. We commend the National Association of Home Builders and the International Code Council for their leadership in developing the consensus process which resulted in the final approval of the standard by ANSI yesterday, “ said NLBMDA President and CEO Michael O’Brien

 

The NGBS provides an expansive third-party rating system for builders to achieve certification under NAHBGreen and the National Green Building Certification Program. The standard defines green practices that can be incorporated into homes, as well as how homeowners can maintain green homes.

 

While the NGBS is another milestone in the green building movement, NLBMDA continues work toward adoption of a voluntary program for eco-forest management labeling of softwood lumber, which would include a new eco-forest standard and corresponding eco-label/grade stamp which would reduce current burdensome chain-of-custody requirements.

 

Five currently-branded eco-forest certification programs require lumber dealers to keep separate purchasing records, inventory records and sales records, covering every piece of wood to demonstrate compliance with NGBS and LEED. In October 2008, NAHB endorsed NLBMDA’s efforts to achieve the eco-labeling system, recognizing that such a system would increase the market for sustainably-sourced wood products by reducing procurement delays and costs that are often associated with various certification programs.

 

“NLBMDA believes that if builders and consumers can rely on lumber standards and grade rules for the structural strength of lumber, that an eco-forest standard and corresponding eco-label/grade stamp can also assure builders and consumers of the ecologic lineage of lumber,” said O’Brien.

 

For more information on NLBMDA’s proposed eco-forest management labeling system, visit www.dealer.org and click on “green building.”

 

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The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) represents its members in the national public policy arena, with emphasis on efforts to 1) promote the industry and educate legislators and public policy personnel; and 2) assist legislative, regulatory, standard-setting and other government or private bodies in the development of laws, regulations and policies affecting lumber and building material dealers, its customers and suppliers. Founded in 1917, the Federation has over 6,000 members operating single or multiple lumber yards and component plants serving homebuilders, subcontractors, general contractors, and consumers in the new construction, repair and remodeling of residential and light commercial structures.