Commercial building envelopes encounter considerable environmental stress, and the roof represents a significant percentage of a structure's total material volume. In the past, assessing the true sustainability profile of low-slope or flat roofing materials was challenging due to fragmented data. Manufacturers frequently claimed eco-friendly benefits based solely on single attributes, such as solar reflectance or the inclusion of recycled content.
Because the standard emphasizes membrane durability, certified products often provide superior performance and longer service lives, leading to a better return on investment. Life Cycle Thinking
As building codes place a heavier emphasis on decarbonization, this comprehensive framework allows architects, designers, and structural engineers to confidently specify roofing materials that back up their green claims with rigorous, third-party verified data. Key Pillars of the NSF/ANSI 347 Framework
NSFS 347 2021 applies to nonmetallic gaskets made from: nsfs 347 2021
The standard continues to evolve. In November 2025, Sika's Sarnafil® G 410 and Sarnafil® S 327 single-ply PVC roofing membranes achieved Platinum certification once again, improving their overall scores by 5 points each from the previous audit. These gains were driven by strong performance in Supplier Audits, Greenhouse Gas Reporting, and Innovation Credits.
Encouraging the use of recycled content and the reduction of hazardous chemicals during the formulation phase. Product Manufacturing:
Evaluates operational impacts, including energy efficiency, waste reduction, and water conservation during production. Membrane Durability: In November 2025, Sika's Sarnafil® G 410 and
The standard explicitly metallic gaskets (e.g., spiral wound, ring joint) and gaskets used outside of water/wastewater infrastructure (e.g., chemical plants, oil & gas).
NSF/ANSI 347 is the first American National Standard developed specifically for evaluating and certifying the sustainable attributes of single-ply roofing membranes over their entire life cycle. Unlike generic "green" claims, this standard provides a comprehensive, third-party verified framework for assessing a product's environmental impact from design and manufacturing to installation and end-of-life.
By evaluating the entire product life cycle, the standard prevents "greenwashing" and ensures that an improvement in one environmental area does not inadvertently cause a negative impact elsewhere. 2. The Five Core Pillars of Evaluation Unlike generic "green" claims
Achieved by industry leaders featuring optimized LCAs and highly efficient formulations.
The standard provides numerous benefits, including: