Short answer: The LEED v5 Building Product Selection and Procurement credit (MRc4) scores building products using manufacturer documentation across five criteria areas: Human Health, Climate Health, Ecosystem Health, Social Health and Equity, and Circular Economy. Each eligible document earns a Level 1 (1x), Level 2 (2x), or Level 3 (3x) score in one or more areas, and scores from different areas add up to a product multi-attribute score capped at 5. Elixir Environmental, which helps building product manufacturers develop Health Product Declarations (HPDs), Declare labels, and LEED documentation, created this matrix so manufacturers and specifiers can see in one place which documents qualify, where they score, and how much value each one delivers. The matrix below is based on USGBC’s Criteria Areas and Achievement Levels resource (version 1.3, February 24, 2026) and the LEED v5 BD+C rating system (July 2026 edition).
Key Takeaways
- MRc4 is worth 1 to 5 points in LEED v5 BD+C New Construction and Core and Shell. One point is earned for each product category whose multi-attribute adjusted value exceeds 100%.
- Each product receives a multi-attribute score (MAS) from 1 to 5. Only the highest score in each criteria area counts, but scores in different criteria areas are added together.
- Nine product categories are eligible: paints and coatings, adhesives and sealants, flooring, walls, ceilings, insulation, furniture, composite wood, and plumbing fixtures. The credit covers nonstructural products.
- The fastest route to a high score is stacking documents across criteria areas, for example a third-party verified HPD (Human Health 2) plus an optimized EPD (Climate Health 2 and Ecosystem Health 1) for a combined score of 5.
- Full Cradle to Cradle Certified products at Silver (v4.0/4.1) or higher, BIFMA LEVEL (2024) Tier 4, FSC 100% wood, 100% reused materials, and deeply optimized EPDs can each reach the maximum score of 5 on their own.
- USGBC maintains the eligible document list through the LEED v5 addenda process, so the matrix will change as programs are added or re-evaluated.
How BPSP Scoring Works
Achievement levels
USGBC defines three achievement levels for every criteria area. Level 1 is a first step toward sustainability in that area and earns a 1x multiplier. Level 2 represents a leadership position in the marketplace and earns a 2x multiplier. Level 3 represents elite products at the forefront of sustainability and earns a 3x multiplier.
Multi-attribute score (MAS)
A product can earn scores in more than one criteria area from a single document or from several documents. Scores add across criteria areas, but not within one. If a product has a Climate Health 3 from one document and a Climate Health 1 from another, only the 3 counts. If a product has Climate Health 2 and Ecosystem Health 1, the total is 3. No product can exceed a score of 5.
From product score to LEED points
Each product’s value (cost, area, volume, or unit) is multiplied by its MAS to produce an adjusted value. The adjusted values of all products in a category are summed, divided by the total value of all products in that category, and multiplied by 100. Any product category with an adjusted value above 100% earns one point, up to five points for five categories. Project teams enter product information in a USGBC calculator in Arc to demonstrate compliance.
The same criteria areas and levels also apply to two related LEED v5 Project Priority credits: MRpc181, Multi-Attribute Structure, Enclosure, Hardscape, and Other Building Materials, and MRpc185, Multi-Attribute Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Products.
The Complete LEED v5 BPSP Documentation Matrix
The table reproduces the scores in USGBC Table 1, Product Documentation Scores in LEED v5 (v1.3), grouped by program type. Numbers are achievement levels in each criteria area. The last column is the maximum multi-attribute score the document can deliver on its own.
Legend: A dash (–) means the document does not score in that criteria area. An asterisk (*) in Climate Health means products in that program often have compliant EPDs, but not always, so check with the manufacturer. A percent sign (%) in Circular Economy means the product may have recycled or biobased content that scores based on the actual percentage. A plus sign (+) means the product can score higher if it also has qualifying recycled or biobased content.
| Eligible Product Documentation | Human Health | Climate Health | Ecosystem Health | Social Health & Equity | Circular Economy | Max Multi-Attribute Score |
| Health and ingredient disclosure programs | ||||||
| HPD: Pre-Checked for LEED, min. 1,000 ppm | 1 | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| HPD: Third-Party Verified, 100 ppm, Avoidance of Chemicals of High Concern | 2 | – | – | – | – | 2 |
| Declare (v2.0) | 1 | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| Declare: Third-Party Verified and Red List Free or Red List Approved (v2.0) | 2 | – | – | – | – | 2 |
| Global Green Tag: Product Health Declaration (PhD) | 2 | – | – | – | – | 2 |
| Green Seal GS-11 Certified | 2 | – | – | – | – | 2 |
| Cradle to Cradle Material Health Certificate, Bronze (v3.1/v4.0/v4.1) | 1 | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| Cradle to Cradle Material Health Certificate, Silver (v3.1/v4.0/v4.1) | 2 | – | – | – | – | 2 |
| Cradle to Cradle Material Health Certificate, Gold (v3.1/v4.0/v4.1) | 3 | – | – | – | – | 3 |
| Cradle to Cradle Material Health Certificate, Platinum (v3.1/v4.0/v4.1) | 3 | – | – | – | – | 3 |
| Environmental Product Declarations and reuse | ||||||
| EPD: Product-Specific Type III | – | 1 | – | – | – | 1 |
| EPD: Optimized (>20% reduction in GWP) | – | 2 | 1 | – | – | 3 |
| EPD: Optimized (>40% GWP reduction and >10% reduction in three additional impact categories) | – | 3 | 2 | – | – | 5 |
| Materials Reuse (100% reused product) | – | 2 | 1 | – | 2 | 5 |
| Cradle to Cradle Certified (full product certification) | ||||||
| C2C Bronze (v3.1) | 1 | – | – | – | % | 1+ |
| C2C Bronze (v4.0/4.1) | 1 | – | – | 1 | % | 2+ |
| C2C Silver (v3.1) | 2 | – | – | 1 | % | 3+ |
| C2C Silver (v4.0/4.1) | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| C2C Gold (v3.1) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| C2C Gold (v4.0/4.1) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| C2C Platinum (v3.1) | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| C2C Platinum (v4.0/4.1) | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 |
| C2C Certified Circularity, Bronze (v4.1) | 1 | – | – | – | % | 1+ |
| C2C Certified Circularity, Silver (v4.1) | 1 | – | – | – | 1 | 2 |
| C2C Certified Circularity, Gold (v4.1) | 1 | – | – | – | 2 | 3 |
| C2C Certified Circularity, Platinum (v4.1) | 1 | – | – | – | 3 | 4 |
| Furniture: BIFMA LEVEL | ||||||
| BIFMA LEVEL (2019): achievement of 7.5.1.1 or 7.5.2.2 | 1 | * | – | – | % | 1+ |
| BIFMA LEVEL (2024): Tier 1 or Tier 2 | – | * | – | – | % | up to 2 |
| BIFMA LEVEL (2024): Tier 3 | 1 | * | – | 1 | % | 2+ |
| BIFMA LEVEL (2024): Tier 4 | 2 | * | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| Concrete: Concrete Sustainability Council (CSC) | ||||||
| CSC Concrete Plant Certification, Bronze | – | – | – | 1 | – | 1 |
| CSC Concrete Plant Certification, Silver | – | – | 1 | 1 | – | 2 |
| CSC Concrete Plant Certification, Gold or Platinum | – | – | 1 | 2 | – | 3 |
| CSC Concrete Mix with CO2 Module Score of 1 Star | – | 1 | – | – | – | 1 |
| CSC Concrete Mix with CO2 Module Score of 2, 3, or 4 Stars | – | 2 | – | – | – | 2 |
| Wood products | ||||||
| Wood: Legal Sourcing with Disclosure | – | – | 1 | – | – | 1 |
| Wood: “FSC Recycled” label | – | – | 1 | – | 1 | 2 |
| Wood: “FSC Mix” label | – | – | 2 | 2 | – | 4 |
| Wood: “FSC 100%” label | – | – | 3 | 2 | – | 5 |
| Wood: “PEFC Recycled” label | – | – | 1 | – | 1 | 2 |
| Wood: “PEFC Certified” label | – | – | 2 | 1 | – | 3 |
| Wood: “SFI Certified Chain of Custody – 100% Recycled Content” label | – | – | 1 | – | 1 | 2 |
| Wood: “SFI Certified Chain of Custody – Promoting Sustainable Forestry and Recycled Content” label | – | – | 1 | – | 1 | 2 |
| Wood: “SFI Certified Chain of Custody – Promoting Sustainable Forestry” label | – | – | 2 | 1 | – | 3 |
| Wood: “SFI Certified Chain of Custody – 100% from an SFI Certified Forest” label | – | – | 3 | 1 | – | 4 |
| Content and end-of-life programs | ||||||
| Recycled Content (½ × pre-consumer % + 1 × post-consumer %) | – | – | – | – | % | up to 1 |
| Biobased Content, Non-Wood (½ × verified biobased content %) | – | – | – | – | % | up to 1 (see note) |
| USGBC-Approved Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Program | – | – | – | – | 1 | 1 |
| Other USGBC-Approved Programs | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Human Health: Eligible Documents by Level
Human Health rewards products verified to minimize harmful substances. Documentation must reflect the product as delivered to the project site.
Level 1 (1x): ingredients disclosed to at least 1,000 ppm and screened
- Health Product Declaration that is pre-checked for LEED: published, complete to 1,000 ppm, with full disclosure of known hazards under the HPD Open Standard, and published in the HPD Public Repository.
- Declare label: any label published under Declare version 2.0.
- Cradle to Cradle Certified (v3.1, v4.0, or v4.1) at Bronze, or a Material Health Certificate at Bronze.
- Global Green Tag Product Health Declaration (PhD). See the note on scoring inconsistencies below.
- BIFMA LEVEL (2024), third-party verified at Tier 3.
- BIFMA LEVEL (2019) with 4, 5, 7, or 8 points under 7.5.1.1 Chemical Assessment, or 3 points under 7.5.2.2 Advanced Level, supported by the LEVEL scorecard.
Level 1 documents must show the product name, type, and description; a unique ID number; an inventory to at least 1,000 ppm; and a validity period.
Level 2 (2x): inventory to 100 ppm, third-party verified, and avoidance of worst-in-class chemicals
- Third-party verified HPD that is pre-checked for LEED v4.1 Option 2, with verification that no GreenScreen LT-1 hazards, or no GHS Category 1 hazards, are present in the end-use product.
- Declare label that is third-party verified and Red List Free or Red List Approved (v2.0 or later).
- Green Seal GS-11 certified product.
- Cradle to Cradle Certified (v3.1, v4.0, or v4.1) at Silver, or a Material Health Certificate at Silver.
- BIFMA LEVEL (2024), third-party verified at Tier 4.
Level 2 documents must meet the Level 1 visibility requirements with a 100 ppm inventory and must indicate third-party verification that includes the content inventory.
Level 3 (3x): highest standard of hazardous chemical class avoidance
- Cradle to Cradle Certified (v3.1, v4.0, or v4.1) at Gold or higher, or a Material Health Certificate at Gold or higher.
Climate Health: Eligible Documents by Level
Climate Health rewards products that quantify, reduce, or reverse embodied carbon.
Level 1 (1x): embodied carbon quantified and disclosed
- Product-specific (manufacturer-specific) Type III EPD conforming to ISO 14025 and either EN 15804 or ISO 21930, with at least a cradle-to-gate scope, external verification, and external critical review. Manufacturer-average and facility-specific EPDs qualify when they represent one manufacturer’s products.
- Cradle to Cradle Certified v3.1 at Gold, or v4.0/4.1 at Silver.
- Concrete from a Concrete Sustainability Council plant certified at Silver or better, where the installed mix also has a CO2 Module score of 1 Star.
Level 2 (2x): verified GWP reduction of at least 20%
- EPD comparative assessment showing at least a 20% reduction in global warming potential from a baseline, verified by an independent party. Acidification, smog formation, and abiotic resource depletion may not increase by more than 10%. The baseline EPD cannot have expired more than five years before the newer EPD was published, and reductions must come from changes under the manufacturer’s control, not offsets, grid updates, or software changes.
- 100% reused or salvaged products with a source declaration or sales receipt.
- Cradle to Cradle Certified v3.1 at Platinum, or v4.0/4.1 at Gold.
- Concrete from a CSC plant certified at Silver or better with a CO2 Module score of 2, 3, or 4 Stars.
Level 3 (3x): GWP reduction of at least 40% plus other impact reductions
- EPD comparative assessment showing at least a 40% GWP reduction and at least 10% reductions in three additional impact categories.
- Cradle to Cradle Certified v4.0/4.1 at Platinum.
Ecosystem Health: Eligible Documents by Level
Ecosystem Health rewards products that disclose, reduce, and reverse supply chain impacts. For all wood products, wood must make up at least 50% of the product’s weight to be eligible.
Level 1 (1x)
- Legal wood with documentation of legality, risk mitigation where applicable, and source disclosure.
- Recycled wood: “FSC Recycled,” “PEFC Recycled” with 100% recycled content, or “SFI Certified Chain of Custody – 100% Recycled Content.”
- 100% reused or salvaged material.
- BIFMA LEVEL (2024), third-party verified at Tier 4.
- Cradle to Cradle Certified v3.1 at Gold, or v4.0/4.1 at Silver or Gold.
- Concrete from a CSC plant certified at Silver, Gold, or Platinum.
Level 2 (2x): at least 70% certified chain-of-custody wood
- “FSC Mix” label.
- “PEFC Certified” label.
- SFI “Certified Chain of Custody – Promoting Sustainable Forestry” label. The narrative also lists the “Promoting Sustainable Forestry and Recycled Content” label here; see the scoring note below.
- Cradle to Cradle Certified v3.1 or v4.0/4.1 at Platinum.
Level 3 (3x): 100% certified wood, physically separated and tracked
- “FSC 100%” label.
- “SFI Certified Chain of Custody – 100% from an SFI Certified Forest” label.
Social Health and Equity: Eligible Documents by Level
Social Health and Equity rewards manufacturers that protect workers and communities throughout the supply chain, aligned with the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.
Level 1 (1x): Tier 1 supplier risk assessment and/or public labor rights commitment
- Cradle to Cradle Certified v3.1 at Bronze, Silver, or Gold, or v4.0/4.1 at Bronze or Silver.
- BIFMA LEVEL (2024), third-party verified at Tier 3 or Tier 4.
- Concrete from a CSC plant certified at Bronze or Silver.
- “PEFC Certified” label, including PEFC-endorsed systems such as the American Tree Farm System.
- SFI “Certified Chain of Custody – Promoting Sustainable Forestry” or “100% from an SFI Certified Forest” label.
Level 2 (2x): risk mitigation beyond Tier 1 and verified labor rights
- Cradle to Cradle Certified v3.1 at Platinum, or v4.0/4.1 at Gold.
- Concrete from a CSC plant certified at Gold or Platinum.
- “FSC Mix” or “FSC 100%” label.
Level 3 (3x): all-tier risk resolution and scaled social solutions
- Cradle to Cradle Certified v4.0/4.1 at Platinum.
Circular Economy: Eligible Documents by Level
Circular Economy rewards recycled and biobased content, reuse, take-back, and closed-loop systems.
Level 1 (up to 1x, based on content)
- Recycled content: post-consumer percentage plus one-half of pre-consumer percentage by weight per ISO 14021, up to a 1x multiplier.
- Biobased content (non-wood, excluding hides and leather): one-half of verified biobased content, tested by ASTM D6866 or ISO 16620-2 or certified through USDA BioPreferred, up to a 0.5x multiplier per the narrative guidance.
- Extended Producer Responsibility: products eligible for a USGBC-approved take-back program earn 1x. Currently listed programs are Armstrong Ceilings (continental U.S. and Canada), Flexco IMPACT, Interface ReEntry, Shaw Contract ReTurn, and USG/CGC Ceilings Recycling.
- Cradle to Cradle Certified v3.1 Bronze or Silver and v4.0/4.1 Bronze or Certified Circularity Bronze score based on actual recycled or biobased content. C2C v3.1 Gold and v4.0/4.1 Silver or Certified Circularity Silver score 1x regardless of content.
- BIFMA LEVEL (2024), third-party verified at Tier 4.
- Recycled wood: “FSC Recycled,” “PEFC Chain of Custody – 100% Recycled Content,” or “SFI Chain of Custody – 100% Recycled Content.” Wood with less than 100% recycled content scores by the recycled content formula.
Level 2 (2x)
- 100% reused or salvaged products with proof of reuse or a manufacturer declaration.
- Cradle to Cradle Certified v3.1 at Platinum, or v4.0/4.1 at Gold or Certified Circularity Gold.
Level 3 (3x)
- Cradle to Cradle Certified v4.0/4.1 at Platinum, or Certified Circularity Platinum.
Scoring Inconsistencies to Confirm With USGBC
In version 1.3 of the USGBC resource, the summary scoring table (Table 1) and the narrative criteria-area sections disagree in several places. Until USGBC resolves them through the addenda process, project teams and manufacturers should confirm the value that the Arc calculator applies.
- Global Green Tag PhD: Table 1 scores it at Human Health 2, while the Human Health narrative lists it under Level 1.
- SFI “Promoting Sustainable Forestry and Recycled Content”: Table 1 scores it at Ecosystem Health 1, while the Ecosystem Health narrative lists it under Level 2.
- Biobased content: Table 1 shows a maximum of “up to 1,” while the Circular Economy narrative caps biobased content at a 0.5x multiplier.
- Cradle to Cradle v3.1 Bronze: The Social Health and Equity narrative includes v3.1 Bronze at Level 1, but Table 1 gives it no Social Health and Equity score.
- C2C Certified Circularity: Table 1 assigns Human Health 1 to all Certified Circularity levels, but the Human Health narrative does not list Certified Circularity as qualifying documentation.
- Optimized EPDs and Ecosystem Health: Table 1 assigns Ecosystem Health 1 or 2 to optimized EPDs, but the Ecosystem Health narrative does not list EPDs.
- CSC concrete and Climate Health: Table 1 lists CO2 Module scores as separate rows, while the Climate Health narrative requires both a CSC plant certification at Silver or better and the CO2 Module score.
What This Means for Building Product Manufacturers
Manufacturers of products in the nine eligible categories should map their existing documentation against the matrix and identify the next document that would raise their multi-attribute score. Common upgrade paths include:
- From HPD to verified HPD: Moving from a pre-checked HPD (Human Health 1) to a third-party verified HPD at 100 ppm with no GreenScreen LT-1 or GHS Category 1 hazards doubles the Human Health score to 2.
- From Declare to verified Red List Free or Red List Approved Declare: Raises Human Health from 1 to 2.
- Adding a product-specific EPD: Adds Climate Health 1 to any health disclosure. Documenting a verified 20% GWP reduction raises the combined contribution to 3.
- Adding recycled content or take-back: Circular Economy credit through recycled content or an approved EPR program stacks on top of health and carbon documentation.
A product with a third-party verified HPD (2), an optimized EPD with at least 20% GWP reduction (Climate Health 2 and Ecosystem Health 1), and qualifying recycled content can reach the maximum score of 5. Because each product category needs an adjusted value above 100% to earn a point, products with scores of 2 or higher are especially valuable to project teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points is the LEED v5 Building Product Selection and Procurement credit worth?
In LEED v5 BD+C, MRc4 is worth 1 to 5 points for New Construction and Core and Shell, with one point per compliant product category.
Can one product earn more than 5x?
No. The multi-attribute score is capped at 5 per product.
Can two documents in the same criteria area be added together?
No. Only the highest score in each criteria area counts. Scores are only additive across different criteria areas.
Does an HPD qualify for LEED v5?
Yes. An HPD pre-checked for LEED to 1,000 ppm and published in the HPD Public Repository earns Human Health Level 1. A third-party verified HPD to 100 ppm that avoids GreenScreen LT-1 or GHS Category 1 hazards earns Human Health Level 2.
Which documents qualify for Human Health Level 3?
As of version 1.3 of the USGBC resource, only Cradle to Cradle Certified at Gold or higher, or a C2C Material Health Certificate at Gold or higher, qualifies.
Does a product-specific EPD qualify for LEED v5?
Yes. A product-specific Type III EPD with external verification earns Climate Health Level 1. Industry-wide EPDs can serve as a baseline for a comparative assessment but do not earn Level 1 on their own.
Which products are eligible?
Nonstructural products in nine categories: paints and coatings, adhesives and sealants, flooring, walls, ceilings, insulation, furniture, composite wood, and plumbing fixtures. Structure, enclosure, hardscape, and MEP products are addressed through Project Priority credits MRpc181 and MRpc185.
Will the eligible document list change?
Yes. USGBC states that the scoring table and criteria are under continuous maintenance and will be updated through the LEED v5 addenda process as new programs are evaluated.
Where can I find the official source?
The USGBC LEED credit library and the resource titled Criteria Areas and Achievement Levels in LEED v5, Additional Guidance for the Materials and Resources Credit: Building Product Selection and Procurement. This article reflects version 1.3, updated February 24,