Those in our industry are, no doubt, familiar with the U.S. Green Building Council (USCBC) and their Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certifications. Well, there is another certification that is gaining momentum in the building industry: the WELL Building Standard. Administered by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), created by Delos, a wellness real estate entity, IWBI worked with the USGBC's Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) to develop building wellness standards. WELL standards are intended to complement LEED standards. 

In short, building wellness standards are broken down into seven concept categories: air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind. For example, the air standard requires that air within a building meet certain performance criteria using specified protocols, practices, technologies, building/furniture materials, and cleaning products. The goal is to lessen health impacts associated with such things as upper respiratory infections, allergies, chronic fatigue, and eye irritations--to name a few. The other six categories have similar performance standards and requirements.

The certification process requires several steps. Among them, a building must receive a passing score on each of the seven concepts in accordance with the WELL Building Standards. Then, there is project documentation and data submission followed by a site audit (performance verification) from an IWBI official. Similar to LEED certification, the WELL Building certification has levels, too. WELL-certified buildings are submitted for Blue, Silver, or Gold certifications based on their respective compliance with "precondition, treatment, and optimization."

Fees range from $1,500 to $10,000 for registration and $4,000 to $7,500+ for certification. Performance verification fees start at ~$9,000. WELL certification is valid for three years and re-certification fees start at $1,450.

For more information log on to http://www.wellcertified.com/