The latest American National Standard provides a framework for determining the environmental and societal effects of single-ply roofing membranes across the product’s entire lifecycle.
Single-ply membranes provide a waterproofing layer in both vegetative and conventional roof systems and are common to green buildings. Certification for NSF/ANSI 347, developed by NSF International, provides consumers with an easy way to determine which roofing membranes are environmentally friendly.
Membrane products evaluated under the new standard include EPDM, KEE, PVC, TPO, and PIB. Certification is awarded at the Conformant, Silver, Gold, or Platinum level based on point totals in categories that include:
- Design: Integration of environmental and lifecycle principles into product design;
- Manufacturing: Quantification of environmental impacts from manufacturing and actions to reduce or eliminate impacts;
- Durability: Physical properties, service life, and repairability; and
- Corporate governance: Human rights, child or forced labor, employee safety and education, and community responsibility.