In a recent signing ceremony, Bureau Veritas and Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), the certification body for the US Green Building Council's LEED green building program, finalised the terms of their exclusive global agreement to facilitate LEED certification internationally.

LEED is the world's foremost program for the certification of design, construction, maintenance and operations of green buildings, with more than 1.8 million square feet of commercial building space certified daily. There are currently more than 69,000 LEED building projects located in over 150 countries and territories, with approximately 44% of all square footage outside the US.

As part of the agreement, Bureau Veritas teams around the world will review LEED projects for conformity with GBCI's strict standards for certification. Immediate plans for local LEED review teams have been drawn up for China, Brazil and India, where Bureau Veritas employs a total of approximately 21,000 staff. Local review teams will allow enhanced customer engagement and local support for LEED while advancing the goal for future site verification as part of the LEED certification process.

"Our objective is a seamless customer experience for LEED users and project teams," said Gerard Biessy, Vice-President of Building & Infrastructures at Bureau Veritas. "We are investing considerable resources into our local capacity building and the integration of GBCI processes."

"GBCI and Bureau Veritas will be able to offer local touch points, local reviews, possible on site verifications and other resources for green building teams on the ground," said Mahesh Ramanujam, chief operating officer, USGBC, and president, GBCI. "Through this collaboration, we will be able to connect with our customers and deepen our engagement with them, which will help accelerate the adoption of green building practices and deliver its benefits to these key economies.

Bureau Veritas is the world's leading conformity assessment service provider in the Building & Infrastructure industry. The partnership shall enhance Bureau Veritas' service offerings and at the front of a growing and important global market. The first buildings to be certified by Bureau Veritas within this partnership are due to be delivered in late 2015.

The growth of LEED reflects its global adaptability as the world's most widely used and recognized system guiding the design, construction, operations and maintenance of green buildings. LEED is a critical tool in creating structures that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions; create healthier indoor environments for workers, students and community members; and lower utility bills for building owners through reduced energy and water use.

Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) is a third-party organization that provides independent oversight of professional credentialing and project certification programs related to green building.

Bureau Veritas is a world leader in testing, inspection and certification services. Created in 1828 the Group has over 66,000 employees in around 1,400 offices and laboratories all across the world.

Vilas Joglekar, Tel: 022-67077252. Email: vilas.joglekar@in.bureauveritas.com