Questions & Answers

What is LEED®?

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings, homes, and neighborhoods. Wilsonart products can earn credits on a LEED-certified project, typically as part of a finished article or permanently installed product.


With the recent changes in LEED® v4, what credits can HPL qualify for?

LEED® v4 credits applicable to HPL are shown below:

  • Building Product Disclosure and Optimization - Environment Product Declaration (EPD)
    • As stated in LEED v4: "The required scope of this credit is permanently installed building products and furniture within the project scope of work."
    • HPL does not qualify for this credit in the format produced by Wilsonart or other HPL manufacturers.
    • HPL is a decorative surface, which is bonded to a substrate, to provide structural support before being fabricated into a converted into a finished article by skilled fabricators. The final product will typically include other accessories such as edgebanding, drawer slides, door handles, or door cores, composite wood face sheets, etc.
    • For manufacturers of finished articles, an industry average Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is available for use in preparing an EPD of finished articles.
  • Building Product Disclosure and Optimization - Sourcing of Raw Materials
    • FSC Certification
    • Recycled Content Certification
    • HPL provides both of these certifications for use by the fabricators of finished products.
  • Building Product Disclosure and Optimization - Material Ingredients
    • According to LEED v4: "Using at least 20 different permanently installed products from at least five different suppliers..."
    • HPL does not qualify for this credit in the format produced by Wilsonart or other HPL manufacturers.
    • HPL is a decorative surface, which is bonded to a substrate, to provide structural support before being fabricated or converted into a finished article by skilled fabricators. The final product will typically include other accessories such as edgebanding, drawer slides, door handles, or door cores, composite wood face sheets, etc.
    • A Health Product Declaration (HPD) is one option for reporting material ingredients under this LEED v4 credit.
    • For manufacturers of finished articles, a Health Product Declaration (HPD) is available for use in preparing an HPD of finished articles.
    • Wilsonart supports numerous green certification initiatives by working directly with our building industry customers, such as office furniture, architectural doors, wall panels, countertops, cabinets, etc.
  • Indoor Air Quality - Low-Emitting Materials
    • HPL is exempt from CARB and EPA Composite Wood Rule
    • HPL has UL GREENGUARD Certifications as a Low-Emitting Material and is available on www.wilsonart.com/laminate-certificates
    • HPL may qualify for credits as an individual component in a system or part of a finished product or furniture; depending on the LEED credit approach used.

What are the LEED® 2009 (v3) Indoor Air credits and which apply to HPL?

While some product websites indicate that laminate LEED® v3 indoor air credits by not having NAUF, this is not the case. A brief summary of the four LEED® 2009 Indoor Air Quality Credits are shown below:

- IEQ Credit 4.1 applies to Adhesives and Sealants

- IEQ Credit 4.2 applies to Paints and Coatings (NOT NAUF related).

- IEQ Credit 4.3 applies to Flooring Systems, and

- IEQ Credit 4.4 applies to Composite Wood and Agrifiber Products (which excludes HPL)


What do NAF, NAUF and ULEF mean?

NAF stands for No Added Formaldehyde. NAUF stands for No Added Urea Formaldehyde. ULEF stands for Ultra Low Emitting Formaldehyde.


Does the Wilsonart HPL meet the NAUF requirement for past and ongoing projects registered under LEED® 2009?

As a laminate, Wilsonart® HPL is exempt from reporting NAUF content. NAUF certification needs to be requested from the manufacturer of the finished article who will include the substrate (wood panel), adhesive, HPL decorative surface, backer, edgebanding, and other components into certification for the finished product.


Is there such a thing as a formaldehyde-free laminate?

No. Wood and wood-based products contain a certain level of formaldehyde as do many fruits and vegetables, such as apples and green onions.


Does the UL GREENGUARD Certification for HPL qualify for LEED® points?

While Wilsonart provides UL GREENGUARD Certification that HPL is a low-emitting product, the UL certification does not qualify the product for LEED® 2009 (v3) points. LEED 2009 credits might be possible for the entire finished product where HPL is used in conjunction with a qualifying wood composite substrate and qualifying adhesive. However, this certification would need to be provided by the manufacturer of the complete system. Wilsonart works closely with fabricators of finished products to insure they have the information they need to pursue credits on the final product.


Can Wilsonart fill out my LEED® paperwork?

No. However, we can provide you or your fabricator with certification documents that support your LEED® documentation.


Is Wilsonart HPL CARB II compliant?

All HPL is exempt from CARB Phase II Compliant requirements due to the low emission levels of HPL.


Where do I find FSC® information and certificates?

Visit www.wilsonart.com for more information. This page contains a list of certifications for Wilsonart products. You can also visit the Technical Resources section of our website and browse each product for sustainability info. For HPL, click here.


Can I buy FSC® Certified HPL from Wilsonart?

Yes. Wilsonart® HPL can be purchased in both standard and FSC® Certified versions.


What phone number should I call for general information about a product?

Contact a Wilsonart Sales or Customer Service Representative in your local area, or feel free to call our Wilsonart Customer Service Hotline at 800-433-3222.


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