CCD-016: Thermal Insulation Materials

Thermal insulation materials are used to insulate buildings from heat loss or gain. They may contain adhesives, fire retardants and blowing agents. These compounds may lead to human health impacts, ozone layer depletion, generation of wastes, material resource depletion, and formation of ground level ozone and photochemical smog.

The EcoLogo^TM Program addresses these challenges by establishing strict requirements for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and recycled content. The net environmental benefit will be reduced human health impacts, less potential for smog formation, diminished ozone layer depletion potential, reduced resource depletion, and decreased generation of wastes.

To be authorized to carry the EcoLogo^TM, thermal insulation materials must:

• Be safe to use (not be classified as toxic, corrosive or flammable).
• Be accompanied by instructions for proper handling and installation.
• Not be formulated with polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants, lead catalysts, or formaldehyde binders.
• If manufactured with blowing agents, the agents must not:
  • be ozone depleting,
  • have a global warming potential of more than 15, and
  • comprise more than 6% by weight of the product, if the product is made from expandable polystyrene resin; and
• Meet recycled content requirements.