OfficeMax, Ross Stores and Kinwai USA are among the nine manufacturers and retailers that law firm The Chanler Group is suing under California’s Proposition 65. The group has also served more than 100 violation notices on leading furniture manufacturers and retailers, including Ashley Furniture, Best Buy, Costco, Kohl’s, Pier 1 and the TJX Companies, alleging the unlabelled use of flame retardants TDCPP and TCEP (both also known as Tris).
The UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has launched a public consultation on an overhaul to the country’s WEEE compliance system. Either of BIS’s two preferred options represent a complete transformation of the current set-up, LetsRecycle.com reports. The consultation ends June 21 and the new rules are expected to take effect January 1, 2014.
CSA Group, NSF International, IAPMO R&T, UL, and the Water Quality Association are consolidating more than 650 previously established action levels for unregulated chemical contaminants from products that contact drinking water, such as pipes, treatment chemicals, treatment devices and faucets. They say the work will eliminate inconsistencies in the product certification process. They are also working to harmonize the external peer review process for all future risk assessments.
Chinatrust Commercial Bank has been certified to the ISO 50001 standard for energy management systems, the China Post reports. The bank said it will introduce the EMS in all 147 branches across China, and will launch staff training and green procurement programs.
The 57-story, 1.3 million sq ft Chicago office building 300 N. LaSalle has received LEED Platinum for Existing Buildings, according to developer Hines and owner KBS REIT II. Tenants include The Boston Consulting Group, GTCR, Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Quarles & Brady LLP. The building features a green roof, motion detectors and river-water intakes for condenser water, eliminating the need for potable water for irrigation and cooling systems, REJournals reports.
The Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, near Seattle, has earned LEED Gold certification, EarthTechling reports. The building incorporates a geothermal heating and cooling system, solar panels to generate electricity, recycled building materials, low-flow plumbing fixtures and a green roof.
The International Code Council is seeking members for a committee to develop two ICC/Solar Rating & Certification Corporation standards for solar water heating systems and solar thermal collectors. Applications are due by May 17. The ICC first announced plans to develop the standards in June 2012.