This recent approval means that anyone undertaking the Living Building Challenge Vs 3.0 to design and construct an environmentally sustainable 'living building' project in New Zealand will meet the requirements of the Health Petal, Healthy Interior Environment Imperative, by using cleaning products that carry the official Environmental Choice label.

The EPA programme was developed to help families find cleaning and other products that are safer for families and the environment. The Environmental Choice label is the New Zealand government's official environmental label and is New Zealand's only Type I ecolabel.

Robin Taylor, ECNZ General Manager, says the endorsement is great news for New Zealand as it validates that the ecolabelling scheme is on a par with global standards.

"Our specifications are robust and we have a rigorous multi-criteria assessment and independent third party verification process. It's great that our commitment to high environmental standards has paid off. This approval will give New Zealand consumers further confidence that they can select safer products without sacrificing quality or performance."

The idea for Living Building Challenge emerged in the mid-1990s during an effort to produce the most advanced sustainable design project in the world. The Living Building Challenge focuses on resilient infrastructure, regenerative design, social equity, community, materials transparency and a living future which incorporates a more holistic vision.

The International Living Future Institute runs the Living Building Challenge, Living Community Challenge, Living Product Challenge, Net Zero Energy Certification and other leading-edge programmes.

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