U.S. Green Building Council Releases New LEED v5 Rating System for Sustainable Buildings
LEED v5 Launches with New Standards for Greener Buildings
LEED v5 was launched April 28, 2025, updating LEED’s green building rating system which has been in place for the past 25 years. Building owners may now use LEED v5 registration for their Building Design and Construction (BD+C) and Interior Design + Construction (ID+C) projects.
As in previous versions of the document, LEED v5 includes a Low-Emitting Materials section (MRc3) designed to address VOC chemical contaminants affecting building air quality. VOC emissions (particularly formaldehyde) play a role in overall indoor environmental quality. Use of low VOC-emitting products can assist in meeting the LEED air quality testing and monitoring requirements. LEED also addresses energy efficiency, water efficiency, and various other sustainability issues.
MAS’s VOC testing program has been assisting manufacturers of building/construction products and furniture for over 20 years in meeting LEED requirements as a way to increase their sales to the green building market. MAS’s Emissions Testing Group is ISO/IEC 17025 accredited to perform emissions testing as a qualified independent, certified laboratory demonstrating a tested product meets the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Standard Method v1.2-2017 for low VOC-emitting building/construction products such as paints, coatings, adhesives, and flooring, and the ANSI/BIFMA Standard Method M7.1-2011 (R2021) for furniture. The MAS Certified Green ® Program is ISO/IEC 17065 accredited as a third-party certifier for certifying that building/construction products tested to CDPH criteria and furniture tested to the ANSI/BIFMA e3-2014 or e3-2024 Furniture Sustainability Standard meet LEED low VOC-emitting criteria. Contact us for assistance in meeting the LEED criteria for low VOC-emitting products.
Resources
A recent Fox 4 News report highlighted a recall of countertop ovens due to a burn hazard, after consumers reported incidents involving hot contents and unexpected breakage or failure of components. Although the specific product and brand may change from recall to recall, the underlying message is consistent: product safety issues tied to materials, coatings or construction can quickly become public, expensive and damaging to a brand.
Sustainability has moved from a niche talking point to a central expectation in the furniture industry. Designers, manufacturers, retailers, and buyers are all rethinking what “good furniture” means – not just in terms of style and comfort, but in terms of materials, emissions, durability, and end‑of‑life impact.
MAS’s VOC testing program has been assisting manufacturers of building/construction products and furniture for over 20 years in meeting LEED requirements as a way to increase their sales to the green building market.
A new bipartisan bill, "Esther's Law," seeks to ban hazardous water beads in children's toys due to their severe risks when ingested. Materials Analytical Services (MAS) plays a crucial role in ensuring toy safety through rigorous testing and analysis. MAS helps identify potential hazards and ensure compliance with safety standards, preventing dangerous products from reaching the market. Learn how MAS contributes to safeguarding children's health and promoting a safer environment for play.
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Resources
A recent Fox 4 News report highlighted a recall of countertop ovens due to a burn hazard, after consumers reported incidents involving hot contents and unexpected breakage or failure of components. Although the specific product and brand may change from recall to recall, the underlying message is consistent: product safety issues tied to materials, coatings or construction can quickly become public, expensive and damaging to a brand.
Sustainability has moved from a niche talking point to a central expectation in the furniture industry. Designers, manufacturers, retailers, and buyers are all rethinking what “good furniture” means – not just in terms of style and comfort, but in terms of materials, emissions, durability, and end‑of‑life impact.