Standards and rating systems have been at the heart of the green building movement at least since U.S. energy standards for buildings (like ASHRAE 90.1) started ratcheting up following the 1970s energy crisis.

If you care about health and sustainability, you can now rely on dozens of ratings and standards for buildings as well as things in and around them, including:

• Lab protocols for chemical emissions from finishes and furniture

• Testing methods for durability of paints, textiles, and many other products

• Standards for energy use, ventilation, thermal comfort, and more

• Rating systems for schools, healthcare facilities, parking garages, landscapes, and healthy spaces