Green Building Systems
Plan for the project
Supporting LEED and more — so you can specify with confidence.
From LEED v4.1 to WELL, Living Building Challenge, and CALGreen, 9Wood helps project teams align materials with building certification goals. This section breaks down how our documentation fits into each framework—so you can plan credits, understand limitations, and stay ahead of evolving standards like LEED v5.
LEED V5 (coming soon)
Key Changes in LEED v5
1
A New Unified Materials Credit (CMF-Aligned):
LEED v5 consolidates several v4.1 credits—EPD, Material Ingredients, Sourcing of Raw Materials, and Low-Emitting Materials—into a single, integrated credit in the Materials & Resources (MR) category. This unified credit is structured around the Common Materials Framework (CMF) developed by mindful MATERIALS and supported by the AIA.
2
Performance Over Disclosure:
v5 rewards actionable improvements, such as reducing embodied carbon or selecting verified healthy materials, rather than simply providing documentation (like an HPD or EPD).
4
Social Equity & Supply Chain Responsibility:
New language emphasizes fair labor practices, human rights, and traceability across supply chains—an evolving but critical area of focus.
3
Emphasis on Carbon & Circularity:
Embodied carbon metrics (GWP) and life cycle performance will weigh more heavily. Circular strategies—like durable, repairable, or reusable products—are also being encouraged.
5
Low-Emitting Materials Moves to MR:
In v4.1, VOC emissions were part of the Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ) category. In v5, they’re now included within the MR section, reflecting a more holistic view of materials and their health impacts.
CALGreen
CALGreen is California’s Green Building Standards Code (Title 24, Part 11), which sets mandatory sustainability requirements for residential and nonresidential buildings across the state. It applies to most new construction and includes both baseline (“mandatory measures”) and optional higher-performance levels (Tier 1 and Tier 2). While CALGreen is a building code—not a certification system like LEED—it includes important product-related requirements that align with 9Wood’s capabilities in indoor air quality and responsible material use.
Indoor Air Quality (VOC Emissions)
- 9Wood offers CDPH v1.2-tested finishes for many products, which supports CALGreen’s mandatory VOC emissions requirements for composite wood and architectural finishes.
- For projects requiring low-emitting materials, products with water-based finishes are available.
- Fire-rated solid wood products are not available with water-based finishes and may not meet VOC emission limits due to their treatment chemistry.
Formaldehyde Emissions
(TSCA Title VI/CARB Phase2)
- All composite core materials used in 9Wood products (e.g., MDF, plywood) are compliant with TSCA Title VI, which satisfies CALGreen’s formaldehyde emission requirements for hardwood plywood and particleboard.
Certified Wood (Optional Tiers)
- CALGreen Tier 1 and Tier 2 (voluntary levels) offer additional credit for using FSC-certified wood products.
- 9Wood offers FSC® and PEFC™ certified options across both solid wood and veneer lines, supporting higher-tier CALGreen compliance when required.
Summary of CALGreen: 9Wood products can support CALGreen compliance in key areas related to VOC emissions, formaldehyde restrictions, and optional certified wood credits. As always, we recommend project teams verify material and emissions requirements with the local code authority or project consultant.
Well v2
The WELL Building Standard v2 is a performance-based certification that prioritizes human health and well-being in buildings. It includes ten concept areas, with Materials and Air being the most relevant to product manufacturers
| Requirement | WELL v2 Intent | 9Wood Alignment |
|---|---|---|
| X01 – Material Ingredient Transparency | Disclose ingredients in building materials using recognized formats (e.g., HPD, Declare, C2C) | ✅ 9Wood provides HPDs at the 1000 ppm threshold for most products, including separate disclosures for solid and veneered systems. |
| X05 – Enhanced Material Restrictions | Avoid hazardous substances such as halogenated flame retardants, phthalates, and PFAS | ⚠️ Fire-retardant solid wood products may contain Red List substances or halogenated compounds; alternatives are being explored. |
| A01 – Fundamental Air Quality and X06 – VOC Restrictions | Limit VOC emissions from interior materials using CDPH v1.2 and similar standards | ✅ Products using water-based finishes can comply with CDPH v1.2 emissions limits. ⚠️ Not applicable to fire-rated solid wood, due to finish limitations. |
| C01 – Enhanced Material Performance (Optimization) | Encourage healthier product selections that meet multiple thresholds (e.g., third-party verified emissions, material disclosures, restrictions) | ⚠️ Partial alignment. Ingredient transparency and emissions testing available, but some substances may not meet advanced restriction criteria. |
Summary of Wellv2:
9Wood supports key WELL v2 goals through ingredient disclosure (HPDs) and low-emitting finish options (CDPH). However, certain product configurations—especially those requiring fire treatment—may not meet enhanced material restriction requirements. We’re committed to reducing hazardous content where possible and improving product alignment with WELL over time.
Living Building Challenge
The Living Building Challenge 4.1 is one of the most stringent sustainability frameworks in the industry. The Materials Petal emphasizes ingredient transparency, the elimination of hazardous chemicals, and responsible sourcing.
| Requirement | LBC 4.1 Intent | 9Wood Alignment |
|---|---|---|
| Red List Compliance | Avoid chemicals of concern known to pose serious health risks (e.g., halogenated flame retardants, formaldehyde, PVC) | ⚠️ 9Wood discloses ingredients via HPDs, but some fire-rated and composite products may contain Red List chemicals. No full Red List Free certification. |
| Declare Label or Equivalent | Promote product transparency via Declare, HPD, or C2C labels | ✅ 9Wood offers HPDs at 1000 ppm. ⚠️ Does not currently participate in the Declare program. |
| FSC® Wood Sourcing | Ensure wood is harvested from responsibly managed forests | ✅ FSC-certified wood is available across most solid and veneer species. PEFC™ options also offered. |
| Embodied Carbon Optimization (Core LCA Pathway) | Reduce the carbon footprint of building materials and share life cycle data | ⚠️ EPDs are in development; expected mid-2025. No current whole-product LCA available. |
| Third-Party Verification | Confirm compliance through third-party assessments or audits | ⚠️ No third-party certification for Red List compliance or LBC-specific declarations at this time. |
Summary of Living Building Challenge:
9Wood supports Living Building Challenge goals through FSC-certified wood and HPDs that allow for Red List screening. However, we do not currently offer Red List Free products or Declare labels, and some components may conflict with LBC restrictions. We are actively working to reduce Red List substances and expand our transparency documentation.