Standardization News

A new ASTM International standard will help the construction industry report potential exposure and related risks from installed building products in an occupied building. ASTM International’s sustainability committee (E60) developed the standard (soon to be published as E3182) to identify reporting elements related to potentially harmful substances in installed building products. This standard could help anyone preparing an occupant exposure screening report (OESR).

“Using this information, manufacturers and other stakeholders can determine whether precautions need to be taken with certain installed building products,” says Ann Mason, a member of the committee.

According to Mason, users will be able to integrate the reporting elements specified in the standard into any existing or new disclosure systems. “The standard focuses on the elements for reporting; it does not mandate a specific form for reporting,” says Mason.

Mason notes that the proposed standard will be useful in several different realms of the construction industry. Among those who could benefit from the standard:

• Manufacturers seeking to comply with requests for product declaration statements,
• Architects and other customers seeking information about the risk potential of substances contained in installed building products,
• Final building product manufacturers offering products to the market, and
• Specifiers seeking information on building products and their attributes. 

ASTM welcomes participation in the development of its standards. Become a member of ASTM. The next meeting of ASTM International’s sustainability committee is April 1-3, in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.