The cleaning industry’s feedback sparks changes.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a worldwide green building certification program with over 100,000 certified commercial and institutional buildings, as well as more than 500,000 certified homes worldwide. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), it includes rating systems for designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining green buildings, homes, and neighborhoods. It aims to help building owners and operators be environmentally responsible and use resources efficiently.

For two decades, the USGBC’s LEED for Existing Buildings rating system (LEED-EB) has set the standard for green cleaning programs.

Today, approximately 30% of all cleaning products are green-certified, with more facilities and service providers recognized for their sustainable cleaning practices. To maintain the system’s rigor, the USGBC updates LEED-EB every five years, with Version 5 currently in development.

Challenges facing USGBC in LEED-EB updates

The challenge for the USGBC is balancing the interests of various industries, each vying for more points on LEED’s 110-point scale. These points signify the importance of industries like cleaning services, building materials, HVAC systems, and water/energy efficiency in a building’s sustainability rating.

Advocacy groups, labor unions, and community interests also seek prioritization of their issues in sustainable building construction, operations, and maintenance.

The first public comment period devalued the cleaning industry

In April 2024, the USGBC released its proposed changes to LEED-EB: Operations & Maintenance (LEED-EB) for the first public comment period. While the initial proposed changes offered overall improvements, they fell short of adequately recognizing the importance of cleaning in safeguarding occupant health, training workers, and addressing the equity challenges faced by low-wage service workers. In response, the global cleaning industry mobilized to voice their concerns. Hundreds of comments were submitted, and industry representatives met directly with USGBC leaders to address the credits and prerequisites impacting the cleaning sector.

Key organizations involved included ISSA, the Building Service Contractors Association (BSCAI), the Cleaning Coalition of America, the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC), the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), Building Service 32BJ Thomas Shortman Training, Scholarship and Safety Fund, and the Green Cleaning Network China, along with individual service providers, product manufacturers, distributors, consultants, and other members of the global cleaning industry. This collective effort led to significant changes in the latest version released for the second public comment period in September 2024.

LEED-EB Version 5: Major improvements for cleaning

One of the most notable changes is the increase in points allocated to cleaning, rising from just one point in Version 4.1 to five in Version 5. This fivefold increase underscores the value of cleaning in maintaining healthy and sustainable buildings.

The additional points are expected to improve worker training, enhance cleaning practices, and increase demand for green products and services. These changes will likely boost the financial standing of cleaning companies that meet the new LEED requirements.

Sustainability and social equity gains

The second comment period for LEED-EB Version 5 brings significant sustainability and social equity updates. These updates will positively affect the 100 million frontline cleaning workers from around the globe by addressing issues such as wages, benefits, training, and worker protections.

LEED-EB Version 5 also provides up to 13 points for waste management, with a focus on workers who handle, sort, and manage waste, recycling, and composting. This further highlights the essential role that cleaning staff play in achieving sustainability goals.

Enhanced safety and training standards

Other key improvements include greater emphasis on safety and procedural training, covering areas such as ergonomics and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) like headgear, eye protection, respiratory gear, and fall prevention tools.

The updated standards also ensure that staff have the right to take breaks, access essential services, and receive protection from extreme weather conditions.

Positive outlook for LEED-EB Version 5

Although they are still finalizing LEED Version 5, the team is moving LEED-EB Version 5 in a promising direction and plans to formally release it early in 2025. These updates benefit building occupants, the environment, and the global cleaning industry, highlighting the crucial role of cleaning in sustainable building management. The revised rating system stands to elevate the value of cleaning while advancing both sustainability and social equity.

Stephen P. Ashkin is president of The Ashkin Group, a consulting firm specializing in green cleaning and sustainability, and a member of the LEED-EB Committee where he advocates for the cleaning industry. He can be reached at [email protected].

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