The NAHB Research Center, an independent, third-party testing and certification agency and consulting firm, is the only adopting entity for the ICC 700 National Green Building Standard in a national green certification program. As such, the Research Center certifies that all projects meet the requirements of the Standard. The Research Center's nearly 50 years as an independent research and testing organization provides the ability, expertise, and credentials necessary to ensure consistency, rigor, and credibility for the National Green Building Certification process.
Independent Verification
The National Green Building Standard, the ANSI-approved rating system used by the Research Center for National Green Building Certification, requires that a qualified third-party inspect the project and verify that all green design or construction practices that the builder claims toward green certification have actually been incorporated into the project. Builders cannot self-certify that their projects have met the criteria, nor can any employee of the builder, or trade contractors or suppliers that have supplied materials and/or installed products or systems in the home being verified.
The NAHB Research Center trains, tests, and accredits these verifiers and maintains a comprehensive list of accredited green verifiers online. Accredited verifiers must also maintain adequate liability insurance. Currently, there are more than 300 accredited verifiers nationwide.
The Research Center reviews every Verification Report submitted to check for accuracy and completeness before certifying any project. The Research Center's Green Team provides technical information and assistance on green building products, new technologies, business management, and housing systems to all its program partners at no additional charge. The Research Center also produces and distributes numerous technical resources to assist builders, remodelers, developers, and verifiers through the certification process.