Imperative Overview

INTENT

The intent of this Imperative is to foster a transparent materials economy free of toxins and harmful chemicals.

REQUIREMENTS

All projects must avoid the following Red List chemical classes in 90% of the project’s new materials by cost. In situ materials do not need to be removed or vetted for Red List chemical classes.

[1] VOCs are limited, not banned. Refer to VOC Clarifications section below for specific reference standards + thresholds.

CHANGES FROM LBC 3.1 to 4.0

The following are summaries of the significant changes to this Imperative from LBC 3.1 to LBC 4.0.

• New Red List Classes: Three new Red List chemical classes have been identified in the Standard, although no new Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Numbers (CASRNs) were added to the Red List at the time of initial publication of LBC 4.0. ILFI has moved to an annual Red List update schedule to maintain pace with best available science.
• LBC Watch List: The LBC Watch List was created to allow ILFI to signal what is under consideration for future inclusion on the Red List. Only chemicals designated “Priority for Red List Inclusion” for a minimum of 12 months may be added to the Red List, encouraging a dialogue around the Red List and providing industry time to adapt.
• 90% Requirement: Project teams must vet a minimum of 90% of materials by cost against the Red List. This allows project teams to prioritize their vetting and research efforts and recognizes the limited documentation and availability of Red List compliant products in all product categories.
• Red List Organization: The Red List is now organized by chemical class rather than by specific materials or chemicals. As part of this effort, some chemical groups were re-named, re-grouped and/or expanded to align with industry standards. Project teams should still refer to the specific list of CASRNs identified on the Red List (scroll to bottom) to identify compliant products.
• Declare Program Updates: The Declare program has been updated. See the Declare Manufacturers’ Guide for a summary of changes. Declaration Status names have changed. In addition, VOC emissions testing no longer impacts Declaration Status and is accounted for separately on the label.
• Exceptions: Some Red List Exceptions were retired, renamed, combined or superseded in order to organize the Exceptions by chemical class and streamline review. The logic for requesting new Red List Exceptions and applying published Exceptions is outlined on the Red List Imperative Exception flow chart.
• Manufacturer Statements (Red List Affidavits): Statements from a manufacturer simply stating that a product does not contain Red List ingredients are no longer accepted documentation. They may only be used as documentation for select Exceptions.
  

*“The Red List has been one of the LBC’s most transformative initiatives – a story of early-adopter magnanimity and a committed industry working together as an organism.”
-Chelsea Johnson, David Baker Architects