How Online Sustainability Certification Works

Measure and communicate your commitment to sustainability

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How Online Sustainability Certification Works

Overview

Class-G.org is a self-certification program that enables owners and tenants of commercial real estate properties (Licensee) to measure their level of sustainable building operating processes.  Additionally, the program provides Licensee with the framework for continuous improvement, and communicates this commitment on the Class-G.org web platform.

This document is a summary of the process for applying to obtain and maintain a self-certification rating through Class-G, LP (Class-G) and its online product Class-G.org. This document is complementary to the formal agreement and is not meant to replace that agreement.

Application Process

To earn a “sustainability certification” from Class-G.org, an applicant must complete a “Checklist” reviewing a number of elements relating to sustainable operations. The Checklist consists of a “checkbox” style questionnaire designed to demonstrate operating processes that support sustainability and a commitment to continuing to manage sustainability operations within  an applicant’s building environment. 

Each question is assigned a point value based on Class-G’s opinion of the relative value of each action.

Class-G.org will rely only on Licensee’s responses to the Checklist in determining the rating level of certification. 

Certification

This annual certification is based on points tabulated from the Checklist, and Class-G.org will issue a numeric rating and certification for location reviewed.  Any certification granted by Class-G is valid for 12 months, starting on the original date of the subscription.

Continuous Improvement via the Class-G Wish List

The Class-G Checklist is comprised of best-practices with respect to managing commercial properties and facilities in a sustainable manner.  Additionally, the online Checklist module enables Licensee to identify areas of improvement, by registering those items into their personal Class-G Wish List. Based upon the Checklist responses, those items not marked with a “Yes” answer have the opportunity to be identified on Licensee’s Class-G Wish List.

This unique and simple Class-G Wish List feature provides Licensee with the framework for continuous sustainable operations improvement, as well as a list of targeted goals for that certification year.

Fees

Licensee agrees to pay a flat annual subscription fee for each certified location. One (1) standard Class-G plaque is included for each certified location, and additional plaques can be purchased. Class-G.org will send Licensee renewal notices for each certified space as automatic electronic reminders at the 11-month mark of a subscription year; and at 20, 10, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 day(s) before expiration.

Public Review

As a condition of the certification, Licensee agrees that responses to the Checklist and the resulting rating will be posted on Class-G.org’s website for public viewing.

Red Flag Challenges

A third party who believes that any Checklist response is false or inaccurate may file a “Red Flag Challenge” specifically detailing objections (currently under construction).  Additional rules related to a Red Flag Challenge (coming soon) are available for review on the website.

For the purposes of managing integrity of all parties, the Red Flag Process (coming soon) is managed and monitored entirely by Class-G personnel and is not an automated process on Class-G.org. 

All parties agree that the dialogue and communications between Licensee, the Red Flag Challenger, and Class-G.org throughout the Red Flag Challenge period will not be posted publicly.

When a Red Flag Challenge is sent to Class-G, Class-G will notify Licensee and Licensee will have 15 calendar days to acknowledge receipt of the Red Flag Challenge only to Class-G.org. An additional 30 calendar days will be provided to Licensee, upon which Licensee has the opportunity to address this challenge in one of the following four ways:

  1. Review & contest that the challenge is inaccurate (Licensee believes that they are, in fact, in compliance)
  2. Review & correct the challenged credit (and verified at later time with Class-G)
  3. Review & rescind the challenged credit, thereby losing the credit
  4. Review &/or ignore the challenged credit, thereby losing the credit

Should Licensee wish to contest or correct the challenge, Licensee must retain a certified third-party evaluator to investigate the claims and respond as required under this Agreement.  The independent third-party evaluator must forward their findings to Class-G personnel, by following the directions below: 

  • To:  Info@Class-G.org
  • Subject:  Red Flag Challenge for <business name/location>
  • 2-3 sentence statement to support your findings
  • Third-party evaluator’s professional credentials & electronic signature

A third-party evaluator is a person who has a signed oath of professional integrity as defined by industry ethic. The third-party evaluator that Licensee deploys to verify its facts could vary depending on the nature of the challenge.  Third-party evaluators may include persons accredited and/or certified under any of the following:  Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Juris Doctor (JD), Certified AIA Architect (AIA), Professional Engineers (PE), LEED, ASHRAE, or someone certified in a sustainable field of work or employed in a similar capacity with an organization unrelated to the Licensee’s Class-G.org space in question.

Recognition of a Challenge

Licensee acknowledges and agrees that if Licensee fails to properly respond, or fails to prove that the Red Flag Challenge is without merit, Licensee’s profile page and rating will be reduced accordingly and the Class-G.org certification and rating may be so noted, modified, or revoked at the sole determination of Class-G.

Revocation of Certification

Class-G reserves the sole right to de-certify any Licensee for any justifiable reason and at the sole discretion of Class-G.

If Class-G decides to de-certify Licensee’s challenged property, it will appropriately notify the Licensee in a timely manner of such action.  No refund will be provided if Licensee’s challenged property is de-certified.

If Licensee’s challenged property is de-certified for any reason under this Agreement, Licensee agrees to remove and return any plaque or certificate of designation of said property if required by Class-G.

Marketing Support

Class-G.org will provide Licensee with one (1) standard Class-G plaque, to be displayed onsite.

Class-G.org will also provide an online profile page of the award of the certification. Additionally, each Licensee will receive a location specific Class-G.org GFacts (coming soon), a document which identifies all the attributes that led to Licensee’s Class-G certification.

Licensee agrees to prominently post, publish, and openly display its Class-Grating and certification in a manner that is responsible and promotes the health of Licensee’s designated location.

Payment of Fees

In the event that payment cannot be made online by applicant, payment will be made by corporate check upon a digital submission of an invoice. A Licensee account will not be active, and a certification will not be issued, until the invoice is paid in full. Additional plaques and additional marketing materials are available with additional fees at the option of the Licensee. Payments can be made to:

            Class-G, LP
            750 Holiday Drive, Suite 500
            Pittsburgh, PA 15220

Agreement

The foregoing details are incorporated by reference in the Class-G.org Agreement upon license purchase.


Class-G's online sustainability certification works by providing an affordable way to get started and grow over time.