Water Sustainability December 1, 2011 NSF DWA Joint Committee

What is Sustainability? Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs Brundtland Commission of the United Nations, 1987 Three legged stool analogy: People (social responsibility) Planet (environmental responsibility) Profit (economic responsibility) 2

“Sustainable” Products Common market language, but lack of common understanding and definition. Hundreds of “ecolabels” exist in the market. –Most are industry/standard specific. Federal Trade Commission has issued requirements for proper labeling of claims. USEPA has issued a Sustainability Policy for water infrastructure What can you do as a business and an industry? –Define for your category the relevant measurements. –Work within defined, recognized structures of evaluation to ensure claims are consistent and credible. 3

Consideration of Product Life Cycle HUMAN HEALTH ENVIRONMENT COMMUNITY IMPACTS 4

National Center for Sustainability Standards Sustainability standard development: NSF/ANSI 140 Sustainability Assessment for Carpet NSF/ANSI 332 Sustainability Assessment for Resilient Floor Coverings NSF/ANSI 336 Sustainability Assessment for Commercial Furnishings Fabric NSF/ANSI 342 Sustainability Assessment for Wallcovering Products ANSI/BIFMA e3 Furniture Sustainability Standard NSF/GCI/ANSI 355 – Greener Chemicals and Processes Information Standard NSF 347 – Sustainability Assessment for Single Ply Roofing Membranes 5

National Center for Sustainability Standards Product Category Rule (PCR) development: PCR for Flooring –Includes wood, laminate, ceramic, carpet, resilient PCRs for Furniture –Initial project for Seating –Others to follow 6

“A set of specific rules, requirements, and guidelines for developing Type III environmental declarations for one or more product categories” (ISO 14025) The PCR defines the product attributes and life cycle assessment criteria that must be reported for the Type III environmental declaration Goals of PCR - can be applied to Business to Business or Business to Consumer products Product Category Rules 7

ManufacturingDistributionUse End of Life Raw Materials Life Cycle of Products 8

Environmental Product Declarations Equal comparisons using standardized LCA data based on the PCR for that product type (e.g., office chairs) 9

Product Category Rule Life Cycle Assessment Environmental Product Declaration Third Party Verification Type III Environmental Declaration Process 10

Value of EPDs Utilize EPD to showcase the environmental and economic value of the product. Implement process improvements based on findings from LCA. Compare products based on the same measurable attributes. Business to Business or Business to Consumer product communication. 11

Product Design and Materials Selection Water Use and Conservation Energy and Atmosphere Human and Ecological Health Social Responsibility Disposal and End of Life Topics Covered in NSF Sustainability Assessment Standards 12 Aggregation of single attribute criteria to assess product on a life cycle basis

Potential for Tiered Performance Common template of “credits” earned toward a minimum threshold of performance. –LEED for buildings –NSF building material sustainability standards Level 1/Silver Level 2/Gold Level 3/Platinum 13

Comparison of EPDs to Sustainable Product Certifications Environmental Product Declaration: Environmental data focus Life cycle assessment required PCR provides framework of data reporting for a life cycle assessment Summarizes environmental impacts Independently verified Technical Report Sustainable Product Certification: Triple bottom line Multi-attribute, life cycle- based Defines sustainability metrics and levels of achievement Ranks products on sustainable performance Certification with tiered ranking 14

Water Sustainability Creating a Sustainability Toolbox for the Water Industry 15

Next Steps for NSF Presentation to all upcoming NSF Water Joint Committees Introduction Initial feedback NSF Water Sustainability Webinar December 6, 2011,1:00 pm EST More in-depth discussion Kick-off meeting Q

Looking Forward to Your Input Tom Bruursema, General Manager Environmental and Sustainability Services Jane Wilson, Director NSF Standards Department