The NAHB Research Center is preparing to start work on the 2012 edition of the National Green Building Standard (NGBS).

Originally developed in 2007-2008 by NAHB and the International Code Council, the 2008 National Green Building Standard was approved by the American National Standards Institute in January 2009, making it the first point-based rating system for green residential construction, remodeling and land development to be approved by ANSI.

As an ANSI-approved standard, the document is subject to periodic updates so that advances in building codes, technology and other developments can be incorporated into it.

“Green building has matured significantly in the three years since the standard was first developed,” said NAHB Green Building Subcommittee Chair Eric Borsting. “It’s time for the next iteration of the National Green Building Standard.”

The NAHB Research Center, an accredited ANSI standards developer, will again act as the secretariat, or administrator, of the standard development process.

Once completed, the updated standard will again be submitted to ANSI for approval. The development of the standard must follow an ANSI-approved process.

First, the NAHB Research Center issued its call for committee members on Nov. 15. The consensus committee that develops the standard will include government officials, advocacy groups, home builders, product manufacturers and other affected industry stakeholders in residential construction.

Those who would like to serve on the consensus committee must submit their applications online by Jan. 4, 2011.

The committee members and other interested parties will be assigned to task groups, each specializing in a different area of the standard — such as energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality or lot and site development.

At the same time, the NAHB Research Center will announce its call for proposed changes to the 2008 edition of the standard. Individuals and groups can submit their proposals online by Jan. 31, 2011.

Task groups will review the proposed changes and develop possible committee proposals early in 2011.

In addition, the entire consensus committee will hold two public hearings at the National Housing Center in 2011.

At the first hearing, members will review all proposed changes to the standard and decide the formal committee action on each of them. After the balloting on the committee actions has been completed, a draft of the 2012 standard will be released for public comment.

At the second hearing, consensus committee members will consider, discuss and then take formal action on the public comments submitted on the draft standard.

Once the committee has completed its work, the newly updated National Green Building Standard will be submitted to ANSI for approval in 2012.

“I look forward to seeing the proposed changes and comments for this next edition of the standard,” Borsting said. “I fully expect them to reflect the dynamic nature of green building. The job of the committee will be to ensure that the changes provide an above-code program that’s challenging and that encourages the growth of sustainability, yet is achievable by the mainstream residential construction industry.”

For more information, e-mail Calli Schmidt at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8132.

For additional information and for all future updates on the 2012 NGBS development process, visit www.nahbrc.com/ngbs.

More Than 5,000 People Have Earned Their Certified Green Professional (CGP) Designation

The Certified Green Professional (CGP) designation teaches builders, remodelers and other industry professionals techniques for incorporating green building principles into homes using cost-effective and affordable options.

Earning the CGP demonstrates to clients and peers your commitment to the best and latest in green building practices and techniques. More than 5,400 people have earned the CGP designation to date.

For more information, visit www.nahb.org/CGPinfo.

'Build Green and Save’ Available at BuilderBooks.com

“Build Green and Save: Protecting the Earth and Your Bottom Line,” available through BuilderBooks.com, is a comprehensive, easy-to-read reference that shows builders how to identify and select green building materials; implement green construction techniques; explain the benefits of green housing and offer affordable green building solutions to consumers; and use resources wisely and reduce water and energy consumption.

To view or purchase this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.

For answers to questions about National Green Building Certification by the NAHB Research Center, certification to the standard or the guideline sunset, complete and submit the Contact Us form on the NAHBGreen website.