UL's New Environmental Product Declaration Continuing Ed Course Earns AIA and GBCI Accreditation

New CEU explores the role and importance of transparency in the green product marketplace

NORTHBROOK, Ill., March 21, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- UL Environment, a business unit of UL (Underwriters Laboratories), announced today that its continuing education unit (CEU) on transparency and ecolabels has been accredited by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), providing an exciting new opportunity for design professionals to earn up to two credential maintenance hours.

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Transparency and the Role of Environmental Product Declarations will help architects and designers deepen their understanding of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) by exploring what they are and what they aren't, how they can be used as a tool for transparency, and how they can be used in conjunction with other third-party certifications to maximize their contribution to sustainable design.

"We recognize that there is a lot of confusion about EPDs in the marketplace today. There is also a lack of education about what EPDs do and don't do, and how to use them properly," says Heather Gadonniex, who works on strategic development and innovation at UL Environment. "We created this course to help design professionals and specifiers solidify their understanding of EPDs, how they work, and why they're valuable."

As part of UL Environment's launch of the newly-accredited CEU, Gadonniex will present the course for the first time, today, to a group of architects, designers, and LEED® Accredited Professionals (APs) at UL Headquarters in Northbrook, Ill. The event, which runs from 5:30 p.m. CDT to 7:30 p.m. CDT, is a joint effort between UL Environment and Illinois North/Northwest IL Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

"We are very excited that UL Environment is presenting on this topic to people in the green building industry in Illinois," says Katie Kaluzny, associate director of the Illinois Chapter of the USGBC. "It's a really important topic and a valuable education for our members."

Attendees of today's presentation will earn 1.5 hours of continuing education credits through GBCI, and one hour of credit through AIA (1 LU)|HSW|SD. To schedule another presentation of this CEU, visit www.ul.com/environment, click on "Continuing Education," and then click "Scheduling a Course."

About UL Environment
UL Environment's mission is to advance global sustainability, environmental health, and safety by supporting the growth and development of environmentally-preferable products, services, and organizations. We help companies achieve their sustainability goals and help consumers find products they can trust. UL Environment offers environmental claims validation, multi-attribute product certification, environmental product declarations, indoor air quality certification, product emissions testing, organizational sustainability certification, and consulting. For more information, visit www.ul.com/environment.

About UL
UL is a premier global safety science company with more than 100 years of proven history. Employing nearly 9,000 professionals in 46 countries, UL is evolving the future of safety with five distinct business units – Product Safety, Environment, Life & Health, Verification and Knowledge Services – to meet the expanding needs of customers and the global public. For more information on UL's family of companies and network of 95 laboratory, testing and certification facilities, go to UL.com.

SOURCE UL Environment

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