What is PHD Certification?
PHD Certification (Product Health Declaration™) is a globally recognized certification developed by Global GreenTag International to assess and disclose the health impact of products. It provides a transparent evaluation of a product’s chemical composition, potential health risks, and its overall safety for use in homes, workplaces, and construction projects.
Unlike traditional certifications that focus only on the hazards of individual ingredients, PHD Certification evaluates the final product’s impact on human health throughout its life cycle. This includes material sourcing, manufacturing, usage, and disposal. It also considers volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, toxicity risks, and allergen sensitivities.
PHD Certification is widely recognized by leading green building standards, including WELL™ Building Standard, LEED®, Green Star®, and Green Globes®. Certified products receive a HealthRATE™ mark, which categorizes them into Bronze (Good), Silver (Very Good), Gold (Excellent), and Platinum (World Leading) levels based on their health performance.
To obtain PHD Certification, manufacturers must provide 100% transparency of ingredients down to 100 parts per million (ppm), undergo an independent peer-reviewed toxicology assessment, and comply with global health and safety regulations.
PHD Certification helps consumers, businesses, and architects make informed decisions, ensuring that materials used in buildings and interiors support human well-being and environmental sustainability.
How is PHD Certification different from other certifications?
PHD Certification (Product Health Declaration™) stands out from other certifications by focusing on the health impact of the final product rather than just assessing individual ingredients. Unlike traditional material transparency programs, PHD evaluates toxicity, VOC emissions, and life cycle health risks, ensuring safer products for consumers and the environment.
It is recognized by WELL™, LEED®, Green Star®, and Green Globes® and provides a HealthRATE™ mark (Bronze to Platinum) to indicate product safety levels. Manufacturers must disclose 100% of ingredients down to 100ppm and undergo independent toxicology reviews, making PHD Certification one of the most comprehensive health-focused certifications available today.
Which industries benefit from PHD Certification?
PHD Certification is particularly beneficial for industries that prioritize health, sustainability, and transparency in product manufacturing. The green building sector, including architecture, construction, and real estate, benefits by ensuring materials meet WELL™, LEED®, and Green Star® standards. Interior designers use PHD-certified products to create safer indoor environments with reduced toxic emissions. The manufacturing industry gains credibility by demonstrating full ingredient transparency and compliance with global health regulations. Additionally, furniture, flooring, coatings, textiles, and packaging industries benefit from PHD Certification by offering consumers verified non-toxic and eco-friendly product choices that support healthier living and working spaces.
Is PHD Certification recognized by major green building standards?
Yes, PHD Certification is recognized by leading global green building standards, including WELL™ Building Standard, LEED®, Green Star®, and Green Globes®. These frameworks focus on material transparency, indoor air quality, and human health, making PHD Certification a valuable asset for projects seeking certification. WELL™ recognizes PHD in five core features, including VOC reduction and material safety, while LEED® acknowledges it under Material Ingredients credits. Green Star® and Green Globes® also integrate PHD Certification for toxicity reduction and sustainable product use, ensuring compliance with international health and sustainability requirements in building projects.
What levels of certification exist within PHD?
PHD Certification uses the HealthRATE™ mark to classify products based on their health and safety performance. The certification has four levels: Bronze (Good), Silver (Very Good), Gold (Excellent), and Platinum (World Leading). Each level reflects the extent of ingredient transparency, toxicity risk mitigation, and human health impact. Products must disclose 100% of ingredients down to 100ppm and undergo third-party toxicology assessment. A Platinum rating signifies the highest level of health safety, non-toxicity, and sustainability, making PHD an essential certification for companies aiming to meet stringent environmental and health standards in product manufacturing.
