Technically Superior, Independent

ClearChem™ Transparent Self-Declared Claims

ClearChem Program

ClearChem Self-Declarations ClaimsClearChem Self-Declarations Claims

Berkeley Analytical created the ClearChem™ program to assist companies in making valid self-declarations of compliance of their products to the CDPH Standard Method. ClearChem declarations meet all of the requirements of USGBC LEED v4/4.1 EQ Credit: Low Emitting Materials and are designed to be equivalent to third-party product certification. USGBC recognizes ClearChem as first-party claim pathway for the LEM credit.

The ClearChem program consists of three elements:

  • The ClearChem Declaration of Product Conformity is a standardized template used by companies to make self-declared, single-attribute claims about the VOC emissions and VOC content of their products. The Self-Declaration communicates information needed by architects and other building professionals for informed product choices.
  • ClearChem Standard BkA-CC-01 specifies the procedures for making self-declared claims regarding the VOC emissions and VOC content of products used in the construction and finishing of building interiors. Standard BkA-CC-01 follows the guidance of international standard ISO 14021:1999 for self-declared environmental claims and of CDPH Standard Method, Section 8.
  • The ClearChem Product Registry is an on-line, publicly accessible database where companies can publish their Self-Declarations and make them available to their customers.

Advantages of ClearChem

ClearChem eliminates doubt about product compliance as each ClearChem claim is backed by a ClearChem laboratory test of a representative sample. For a direct product claim, a full compliance test is conducted following the CDPH Standard. Claims also may be made for closely related products. For these extended claims, a screening level test is conducted for a representative sample of each product in a group. A maximum of four extended claims are allowed for each primary claim.

ClearChem provides companies with numerous advantages:

  • ClearChem delivers the information that customers need. Certificates of conformity created using ClearChem provide architects and other customers with information in a standardized, easy to interpret format.  The Certificates address all of the elements in LEED v4/4.1 EQ Credit: Low Emitting Materials as well as the LEM credits in the other major green building rating systems.
  • ClearChem leaves companies in control of their brands. There is no involvement of a third-party certification/marketing organization. ClearChem offers companies their own branded web pages where they can publish their product claims.
  • Participation in ClearChem is free. The program is open to companies that test samples of their products with Berkeley Analytical.

Berkeley Analytical is an official data provider to GIGA's Origin Material Data Hub. All ClearChem Declarations are published to Origin. Here, companies can link their products to their corresponding ClearChem Declarations. Origin is a major database used globally by architects and green building consultants to download product documentation for architectural projects.

Visit the ClearChem™ site and contact us today about how you can use the ClearChem program to market your low-emitting materials and interior building products.

Return to top

Inquiry Form

Please fill out the form to be contacted by a laboratory expert. Tell us as much as you can about your needs. We’ll promptly respond to your inquiry and answer your questions about all aspects of testing/analysis including pricing. If you prefer, call us at 1-510-236-2325, toll-free at 1-888-455-0999 or email info@berkeleyanalytical.com.