On May 11, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) released its LEED rating systems for the fourth public comment period, which will be open for comments until May 28. The comment period allows stakeholders, as well as those interested in reviewing and commenting on the current rating system, to suggest changes. The new rating system should be in place later this year or early next year.
 
According to Stephen Ashkin, president of The Ashkin Group, this comment period offers virtually no changes to the cleaning prerequisite or credits, compared to those in the previous comment period. He adds that the USGBC is taking comments only on those credits that have changed since the last comment period, "which in the case of the professional cleaning industry is limited to a minor change to the Custodial Effectiveness Credit." (click here and see page 101)
 
The next step in the process is the balloting. Businesses and organizations that are members of the USGBC and are allowed to vote can do so June 1 through 30.
 
"The USGBC considers effective cleaning, using environmentally safe cleaning products, to be essential to proper building maintenance and the protection of human health." says Ashkin. "This is an opportunity for our industry to be directly involved with activities that will impact the environment for years to come."

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