FM Alert: Roof Coatings Product Category Rule, From NSF Int’l

In cooperation with the Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA), NSF develops first Product Category Rule (PCR) in North America for roof coating materials.

Global public health organization NSF International, in cooperation with the Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA), has created the first Product Category Rule (PCR) in North America for roof coating materials. PCRs enable product environmental information to be more transparent and useful to the marketplace. Products covered in this PCR include fluid-applied and adherent coatings used for roof maintenance or roof repair, or as a component of a roof covering system or roof assembly.roof coating

Based on international environmental management guidelines (ISO 14025), a PCR defines how to conduct a life cycle assessment for a particular product group and what to include in the resulting report. A life cycle assessment measures inputs, outputs, and environmental impacts of a product across its lifespan. The environmental product declaration (EPD) is the third-party-verified report that explains the data generated from a life cycle assessment. What is included in the EPD is also defined by the PCR.roof coating

The NSF International National Center for Sustainability Standards (NCSS) utilized an open consultative process to develop the PCR with participation from an expert panel of RCMA members, suppliers, regulatory agencies, environmental organizations, and end-users. RCMA is the leading industry voice promoting the benefits of roof coatings and representing manufacturers of asphaltic and solar reflective roof coatings as well as suppliers to the roof coatings industry.

“This product category rule developed by NSF International provides our industry a much needed guideline for calculating and reporting the environmental attributes of roof coatings,” said Jim Kirby, Executive Director of RCMA. “The subsequent life cycle analyses developed by our members using the PCR can provide a basis for improvement to enable reductions in environmental impacts over time. We look forward to the positive impact this will have on the industry and those seeking more sustainable building products.”

“Industries benefit from NSF International’s open and transparent standards development process that was used to develop the first PCR in North America for roof coating materials,” said Jessica Slomka, Manager of the NSF International National Center for Sustainability Standards. “By engaging RCMA members and other stakeholders, we help ensure the most significant environmental impacts in the life cycle of a product are represented. The result is a defined set of rules that enable comparative data to be gathered and reported in a standardized fashion. This is crucial in helping builder’s source products that meet their environmental goals.”

“As a manufacturer participating in the PCR development, we support our industry in providing more transparent and science-based information to our customers,” said Douglas P. Mazeffa, Environmental Project Manager at Sherwin-Williams. “Our company is committed to helping customers make informed, environmentally-based purchasing decisions.”

In October 2016, Sika Sarnafil presented a webinar with Facility Executive that shared insights on a related standard — NSF/ANSI 347 Sustainability Assessment for Single Ply Roofing Membranes. This consensus standard is used by building industry stakeholders to evaluate and certify sustainable attributes of single ply roofing membranes over their entire product life cycle. Access the webinar here: Understanding Eco Standards and Labels for Non Residential Roofing.