UL Environment Expands Portfolio with Addition of GREENGUARD Certification Programs

NORTHBROOK, Ill., Feb. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- UL Environment, a business unit of UL (Underwriters Laboratories), an independent product safety certification organization, announced today that it has reached an agreement with Air Quality Sciences, Inc. (AQS) to acquire AQS and its certifying body, the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute. AQS and GREENGUARD are the market leaders in North America for product emissions testing and third-party indoor air quality certification.

AQS helps manufacturers identify the chemicals being emitted from their products using state-of-the-art equipment and testing laboratories. GREENGUARD Certification helps manufacturers communicate their sustainability message to the marketplace by providing assurance that their products have been independently evaluated for low chemical emissions. The internationally recognized GREENGUARD Certification mark and the GREENGUARD Product Guide are indispensable tools that help manufacturers showcase their products' optimal indoor air quality performance.

"This acquisition combines AQS's world-class technology and expertise, as well as GREENGUARD's  brand recognition and scientific rigor, with UL's trusted history of standards development, testing, and compliance to create a more comprehensive solution for testing and certification," said Steve Wenc, president of UL Environment. "Together, we'll help consumers, regulators, and other interested parties make informed product purchases by providing clarity around indoor air quality claims."

UL entered the environmental space in 2009 with the launch of its environmental services business unit, UL Environment. The organization helps establish new definitions of safety beyond the borders of traditional safety testing and certifications, aiding manufacturers in differentiating environmentally-superior products in the marketplace. Expanding on UL Environment's product emissions testing and indoor air quality certification capabilities, the acquisition further positions UL Environment as a global leader in environmental evaluation and certification.

AQS is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Since its establishment in 1989, the company trailblazed the indoor air quality testing market-investing in, developing, and perfecting the most sophisticated dynamic environmental chamber technology in the world. This has enabled AQS to test more than 70,000 products for chemical emissions and catalogue the presence of more than 12,000 product specific chemicals that can pollute the indoor air.

Founded in 2001, the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute certifies building products and materials for low chemical emissions. GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certification and GREENGUARD Children & Schools Certification are the most trusted third-party indoor air quality certifications in North America. More than 350 manufacturers worldwide currently participate in the GREENGUARD Certification Program, representing 19 unique industries and over 10,000 products.

"By joining forces with such a recognized and reputable brand as UL, we are confident that we will boost consumer confidence in the green product marketplace," said Dr. Marilyn Black, founder of the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute and chairperson at AQS. "Additionally, this strategic partnership will allow us to enhance our position as the North American indoor air quality market leader and help us expand our reach into the global market."

Combined, GREENGUARD and AQS leadership has more than 120 years of experience in chemistry, chemical and mechanical engineering, microbiology, public health, and industrial hygiene. Both AQS and GREENGUARD will help bring greater value to UL's existing customers and extend UL's reach to a broader range of companies that seek to minimize their environmental impact.

About UL Environment

UL Environment supports the growth and development of sustainable products, services and organizations in the global marketplace through standards development, educational services and independent third-party assessment and certification. Specific environmental solutions services UL Environment provides include environmental claims validation, sustainable products certification, energy efficiency certification, environmental product declarations and advisory services.  Additional information about UL Environment can be found at ulenvironment.com.  Or follow UL Environment news and education tips on Twitter @ulenvironment.

About UL

UL is a premier global safety science company with more than 100 years of proven history. Employing more than 6,800 professionals in over 96 countries, UL is evolving the future of safety with five distinct business units – Product Safety, Environment, Life & Health, Verification and University – to meet the expanding needs of customers and the global public. For more information about UL University and Six Sigma programs and services, visit www.ULUniversity.com

About Air Quality Sciences

Air Quality Sciences, Inc. (AQS) is a fully integrated indoor air quality (IAQ) company that provides solutions to create healthy indoor environments and avoid potentially dangerous indoor pollution. With the largest ISO 17025 accredited environmental chamber laboratory in the world, AQS assists manufacturers in developing and verifying non toxic products through risk management and assessment processes. The company provides product testing and guidance in meeting various certification program requirements for GREENGUARD, German Blue Angel, AgBB, Green Guide for Healthcare, CHPS, LEED® EQ credits and other prominent IAQ and green product criteria requiring third party verification. To learn more about AQS, visit www.aqs.com, and for more information on indoor air quality, visit Aerias the AQS IAQ Resource Center at www.aerias.org.

About GREENGUARD

The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute aims to protect human health and improve quality of life by enhancing indoor air quality and reducing people's exposure to chemicals and other pollutants. As an ISO-IEC Guide 65:1996 accredited, third-party organization, the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute certifies products and materials for low chemical emissions and provides a resource for choosing healthier products and materials for indoor environments.  All certified products must meet stringent chemical emissions standards based on established criteria from key public health agencies. GREENGUARD Certification is broadly recognized and accepted by sustainable building programs and building codes worldwide. For more information and a complete listing of certified products, visit www.greenguard.org.

SOURCE UL