NORTHBROOK, Ill. -- Dec. 8, 2009 -- UL Environment, Inc. (ULE) announces a collaborative effort to develop sustainability standards for thermal insulation and roof covering materials. These standards will establish environmental requirements for products and associated parts based on life cycle assessment of raw materials, production, distribution, use and disposal.

"UL Environment's standards will supplement the energy efficiency benefits of roofing and insulation by addressing and incorporating multiple aspects of sustainability," said Steve Wenc, President, ULE. "Our sustainability standards will establish guidelines for the development of more environmentally-friendly roofing and insulation products and help builders and consumers identify sustainable options for these key building components."

ULE's new sustainability standards will be developed through a balanced, collaborative process and draw on input from UL Environment Standard Technical Panels (STPs) comprised of stakeholders such as manufacturers, product installers, distributors, users, consumer interest groups, government entities and testing organizations. These standards will set minimum environmental requirements and create a progressive and tiered approach allowing sustainability leaders to highlight their achievements

ULE's standards will complement existing credible and applicable single-attribute sustainability guidelines for roofing and thermal insulation. ULE's standards development effort for roofing and thermal insulation continues the organization's standards work around sustainable building materials, and follows the announcement of ULE standards initiatives defining sustainable doors, mineral and fiber board, ceiling systems, stone, ceramic, clay and glass, windows, building and glazing materials and associated hardware.