Signs of market transformation?

Starting in January 2009, the U.S. Green Building Council plans to start outsourcing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification to the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI).

Anticipating dramatic growth in the number of LEED-registered projects, USGBC views the decision as a way to improve the LEED-certification experience, says Michelle Moore, the nonprofit’s communications senior vice president of policy and public affairs.

GBCI already administers the LEED accredited professional (LEED-AP) program. Beginning in January 2009, it would educate independent, accredited certifiers of registered through the International Standardization Organization (ISO) about the LEED certification process.

Projects waiting to be certified are waiting in a pipeline, Moore says. “This will make the pipeline bigger.”

USGBC plans to educate members about changes to the certification process, along with the new LEED 2009 rating system and a revamped LEED online program, at Greenbuild 2008 in Boston. 

ISO in June released its new principles for sustainability in building construction. ISO 15392 provides a common language for key stakeholders, including builders, architects, product manufacturers, policy makers and consumers. The principles apply to the entire lifecycle of construction projects, thereby encouraging stakeholders to take a critical look at economic and social impacts of new buildings. “It’s an example of innovation,” Moore says of ISO 15392. “It shows there is important work to be done in this area.”