Building certifications are key to legitimizing efforts to improve facilities, and the creation of the Fitwel Certification System provided a way for facilities managers to commit more fully to making their facilities healthy. A year after launching the certification, Fitwel’s operator, the Center for Active Design (CfAD) has announced a partnership with independent safety science company UL.
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The main goal of this partnership is to expand the market for healthier, more sustainable products and buildings. This is the first time two leading certification groups are working together to create more comprehensive resources for facilities managers who want to make their buildings healthier.
In addition to expanding the adoption of Fitwel in China, the partnership is intended to provide architects, designers and developers with more access to healthy products.
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“UL is excited to work with CfAD to increase the adoption of evidence-based wellness programs, such as Fitwel, because it complements UL’s Mission to develop healthier, more sustainable working and living environments,” says Alberto Uggetti, vice president and general manager of UL Environment. “Together we will increase the number of healthier buildings in China, make it easier to find products that contribute to Fitwel credits through SPOT and promote healthier products globally.”
UL and CfAD will work together to align products that meet Fitwel specifications in the UL SPOT database. SPOT, which was launched in 2016, is designed to assist product selection for sustainable building projects and is searchable by LEED credit, MasterFormat code and certification programs. It also includes downloadable product documentation that supports Fitwel’s submittal process.
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Moreover, UL’s Wellness Certification program for products will be aligned to comply with the Fitwel system. These measures will make it easier for facilities managers to assess and access many more healthy products that adhere to Fitwel Certification.
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“As someone who has worked in the building industry for over 20 years, I have long admired UL’s approach to product certification and am proud that our organization is partnering with them to bring about market transformation in health,” says Joanna Frank, president and CEO of CfAD. “Our shared driving principles of bringing science-based solutions to improve health and wellness in the global real estate market make this partnership a natural fit and we anticipate rapid expansion of both of our programs in the Chinese and other new and existing markets.”
Justin Feit was an associate editor at BUILDINGS.
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