The Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Program is delighted to congratulate two of our Certified partners, Benjamin Moore and Filtrete™ Brand, on being named to Green Builder Media’s 2026 Sustainable Products of the Year list. The annual roster celebrates products that demonstrate how environmentally responsible innovation can support healthier homes and healthier living, a mission that aligns closely with the goals of the Certification Program.
Benjamin Moore Eco Spec®
Benjamin Moore’s Certified Eco Spec® paint
Green Builder’s recognition spotlights the next generation of Benjamin Moore’s Eco Spec paint, which earned the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification in September 2025. The newly Certified offering includes Eco Spec Interior Latex Paint in Flat, Eggshell and Semi-Gloss finishes, together with the Eco Spec WB Primer.
Paint fumes and odors may irritate the eyes, skin, and airways of some individuals. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can be released into the indoor environment as paint dries, may contribute to reduced indoor air quality and can be a concern for people living with asthma and allergies. To earn the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification, the next generation of Eco Spec underwent comprehensive scientific testing and demonstrated that it:
- Emits extremely low VOCs below certification limits at both 24 hours and 14 days after painting.
- Meets or exceeds physical performance standards for drying time, scrubbability, cleanability, and adhesion.
- Has a formulation where allergenic and sensitizing chemicals are as low as possible or not present.
Paint Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® is also compliant with LEED Low-Emitting Materials credit requirements, offering additional confidence for specifiers working on healthy and sustainable building projects.
Benjamin Moore’s participation in the Certification Program spans more than 10 years, reflecting a sustained commitment to consumer well-being and improved indoor air quality for the more than 106 million people in the United States affected by asthma and allergies. In 2025, the company was also presented with the Certification Program’s Award for Innovation and Environmental Excellence, recognizing its leadership in developing products that contribute to healthier indoor environments in homes, schools, healthcare facilities, and other commercial spaces.
Filtrete™ Refillable Air Filter Kit
Filtrete™ Brand’s Certified 1550 Refillable Air Filter Kit
Green Builder also recognized the new Filtrete™ Refillable Air Filter Kit, an innovative system that pairs a reusable frame, lasting up to 20 years, with collapsible filter refills that last up to 12 months. In May 2025, the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Program announced an expanded range of Certified Filtrete™ Air Filters, including the Refillable MPR 1000 (MERV 11) and Refillable MPR 1550 (MERV 12) models featured in the new kit. To earn the Certification mark, these filters were independently tested and demonstrated they:
- Reduce certain tested airborne allergens from the air passing through the filter (including at least 85% of cat allergen, 92.5% of dust mite allergen, 95% of pollen allergen, and 40% of microparticles).
- Meet applicable airflow and performance criteria under certification testing, including as particulate matter accumulates on the filter.
- Include internal edge seals designed to help reduce air and particle bypass through the filter assembly.
In October 2024, 3M was presented with the Certification Program’s Excellence in Air Quality Solutions award, recognizing the company’s ongoing commitment to developing air filtration products intended to support indoor air quality for people with asthma and allergies.
The Value of Third-Party Certification
Recognitions like the Green Builder Sustainable Products of the Year list reward brands that can substantiate their sustainability and indoor air quality claims with rigorous, independent evidence. Many products on the market claim to be “low-VOC,” “allergy friendly,” or “better for indoor air,” but not all meet the testing required to confirm those claims under real-world use conditions.
The Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Program, operated by Allergy Standards Limited (ASL) in partnership with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), evaluates products against strict, science-based standards developed specifically with the more than 106 million people in the U.S. living with asthma and allergies in mind. Certified products are independently tested for both performance and ingredient composition, providing consumers, specifiers, and editors with a credible, evidence-based mark of trust.
For manufacturers, this kind of independent verification translates into real commercial value: greater visibility with editors, specifiers, and consumers, added credibility for indoor air quality and wellness claims, and a strong track record of placement on the awards lists, buying guides, and editorial roundups that shape the sustainable home market. It is no coincidence that Certified products feature so consistently in recognitions like Green Builder’s annual list.
Congratulations once again to Benjamin Moore and Filtrete™ Brand on this well-deserved recognition. We look forward to continuing to work with both teams as they develop products that make a meaningful difference for people living with asthma and allergies.