Living Building Challenge 3.0 - Red List of Materials & Chemicals (retiring December 31, 2024)
Living Building Challenge 3.0 - Red List of Materials & Chemicals (retiring December 31, 2024)
NOTE: ILFI will retire LBC 3.0 and 3.1 (“3.x”) standards on December 31, 2024.
This list is part of the Living Building Challenge (LBC) developed by Cascadia Green Building Council and now adminstered by the International Living Future Institute to guide building performance beyond LEED levels. This list is composed of materials that Cascadia believes should be phased out of production due to health/toxicity concerns and will be updated as new science emerges.
Version 3.0 of the Living Building Challenge, released in May of 2014, lists the following materials and chemical groups in its Red List:
- Alkylphenols
- Asbestos
- Cadmium
- Chlorinated Polyethylene & Chlorosulfonated Polyethlene
- Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC)
- Chlorobenzenes
- Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
- Chloroprene (Neoprene)
- Chromium VI
- Formaldehyde (added)
- Halogenated Flame Retardants
- Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)
- Lead (added)
- Mercury
- Perfluorinated Compounds (PFCs)
- Petrochemical Fertilizers and Pesticides
- Phthalates
- Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
- Polyvinylidene Chloride (PVDC)
- Short Chain Chlorinated Paraffins
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in wet applied products
- Wood treatments containing Creosote, Arsenic or Pentachlorophenol
The additions from version 2.1 are:
- Alkylphenols
- Chlorobenzenes
- Chromium VI
- Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC)
- Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
- Perfluorinated Compounds (PFCs)
- Polyvinylidene Chloride (PVDC)
- Short Chain Chlorinated Paraffins
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in wet applied products
Halogenated flame retardants include PBDE, TBBPA, HBCD, Deca-BDE, TCPP, TCEP, Dechlorane Plus and other retardants with bromine or chlorine.
There are temporary exceptions for numerous Red List items due to current limitations in the materials economy. Refer to the Living Building Community Dialogue for complete and up-to-date listings.
Due to manifold manufacturing processes, there is a Small Component exception for complex products made from more than ten constituent parts. A small component is discrete and contained in its form as introduced into the product’s assembly, and must be less than ten percent of a product by both weight and volume.
It is acceptable to jump one Zone, as defined in Imperative 14: Appropriate Sourcing, if compliant materials or products are not procurable within apportioned Zones. Once a compliant product is available within the Zone as originally designated in this standard, the exception will be removed.
Each exception request must be submitted in writing with explanation. Final documentation for granted exceptions must be accompanied by a copy of a letter sent to the manufacturer stipulating that the product purchase does not constitute an endorsement, together with a statement that requests that the company stops using the Red List material/chemical. Letters to the manufacturer are required for all exceptions, including those listed in the Standard and User’s Guide. Sample letter templates are posted online in the Living Building Community. Refer to the User’s Guide for more information.
Note that “Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in wet applied products “ is intended by the Living Building Challenge as an absolute ban on VOCs, but rather a restriction on total VOC content levels. Specifically, the Red List documentation states that: “Wet-applied products (coatings, adhesives and sealants) must have VOC levels below the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 1168 for Adhesives and Sealants or the CARB 2007 Suggested Control Measure (SCM) for Architectural Coatings, as applicable. A set of California-defined Group II toxic exempt solvents, however, are banned and must not be intentionally added to products.