BUSINESS REVIEW USA & CANADA
excellence from integrative process to indoor environmental quality . Prerequisites are required elements , or green-building strategies that must be included in any LEED certified project . Credits are optional elements , or strategies that projects pursue to gain points toward LEED certification .
Credits are developed through several rounds of public comments and in collaboration with the USGBC board , broader membership and staff . As market readiness increases and new technologies become widely available , credits adapt to improve the value and environmental integrity of building projects .
Based on the number of credits achieved , a project earns one of four LEED rating levels : LEED Certified , LEED Silver , LEED Gold or LEED Platinum . The LEED rating systems work for all buildings at all phases of development and are meant to challenge project teams and inspire outside-the-box solutions .
LEED projects are third-party certified through Green Business Certification Inc . ( GBCI ), which provides technicians the training and expertise necessary to review and verify building quality and integrity .
How does the USGBC help to manage supply chains ?
A USGBC working group has outlined minimum steps for product manufacturers that enables them to offer insight and transparency into their processes regarding supply chains that require : a commitment to continual improvement , sharing of information , green chemistry and green engineering ; implementation of an environmental management system and require that any direct suppliers of hazardous ingredients have corresponding environmental and health & safety management systems .
What continuous improvement strategies has the company implemented ?
USGBC strives to ensure LEED stays innovative , technically rigorous , and market-relevant . Therefore , LEED regularly undergoes evaluations and other improvements , whether through clarification of specific credit ’ s language , an adaptation to an existing rating system , or a comprehensive update to an entire suite of rating
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