Health Product Declarations in Natural Wood Acoustic Design

What Are Health Product Declarations (HPDs)?

Health Product Declarations (HPDs) are standardized documents that transparently disclose the chemical contents of building products and assess their potential impact on human health. Developed by the Health Product Declaration Collaborative (HPDC), HPDs serve as a vital tool for designers, specifiers, and sustainability professionals committed to selecting healthier materials for indoor environments.

In natural wood acoustic design, HPDs reveal the composition of timber substrates, adhesives, coatings, and finishes used in panels, slats, and ceilings. This is especially important for large surface applications, where chemical emissions can significantly affect indoor air quality and occupant well-being.

Understanding How HPDs Elevate Acoustic Timber Design

Transparency in Material Chemistry

An HPD outlines each intentionally added chemical in a product down to 1,000 ppm—or 100 ppm in fully disclosed reports. For natural wood acoustic panels, this includes wood species, binders, coatings, and substrates. This helps teams avoid ingredients known to be hazardous, such as formaldehyde, phthalates, or flame retardants¹.

Alignment with Green Building Standards

HPDs contribute to points under LEED v4/v4.1 (Material Ingredients credit), WELL v2 (Materials Concept), and other sustainability frameworks. Projects targeting these certifications are increasingly requiring third-party verified HPDs to ensure the materials used are safe, transparent, and responsible².

Designed for Healthy Interiors

Natural wood acoustic products that carry an HPD offer designers confidence that the visual, acoustic, and tactile benefits of wood don’t come at the cost of occupant health. Whether used in ceilings, walls, or freestanding panels, these systems can support wellness-focused design through documented material safety.

Why Health Transparency Matters in Acoustic Systems

Acoustic treatments are among the most extensive surface applications in interior architecture. They’re also typically installed in zones of high human activity: classrooms, offices, healthcare settings, and public venues. Without disclosure, these products may off-gas harmful chemicals over time.

HPDs empower designers to specify materials that are beautiful, functional, and chemically safe. In the context of natural wood acoustics, this means preserving the sensory and performance benefits of timber while eliminating health risks from unknown additives or finishes³.

Key Considerations When Using HPDs in Timber Acoustics

To leverage HPDs in natural wood acoustic design, it’s essential to understand how they’re structured and how they fit into the broader product selection process.

Disclosure Level and Format

HPDs are available in two formats:

  • Partial Disclosure: Lists most chemicals above 1,000 ppm.

  • Full Disclosure: Discloses all ingredients down to 100 ppm with hazard screening.

Always prioritize fully disclosed HPDs for WELL or LEED optimization and ensure the product is listed in the HPD Public Repository for easy verification⁴.

Substrate and Binder Clarity

Pay special attention to the core material (e.g., MDF, plywood) and the resin used in lamination or bonding. HPDs should indicate whether the adhesives are free from urea-formaldehyde or contain any Red List substances.

Verified vs. Manufacturer-Declared

Third-party verified HPDs offer the highest credibility. They ensure the information provided has been validated by a qualified assessor and meet the most stringent green building documentation standards.

Key Timber Panel Systems Offering HPDs

Natural wood acoustic systems that typically provide HPDs include:

  • Grooved E0 MDF Panels: Disclose substrate, adhesive, and finish. Often fully Red List Free and available with HPDs and Declare labels.

  • Slatted Timber with Water-Based Finish: Transparent about surface treatment and mounting systems. Suitable for WELL and LEED interiors.

  • Veneered Acoustic Panels with Formaldehyde-Free Resin: Offers tactile elegance with documented chemical safety for healthcare and education projects.

How Timberix Integrates HPDs Into Healthy Acoustic Design

Timberix is committed to full material transparency across its acoustic timber range. We provide Health Product Declarations for select slatted, grooved, and perforated panels—documenting each layer from core to finish. Our E0 and NAUF substrates, GREENGUARD Gold coatings, and FSC® timber all support HPD-backed health claims.

Whether you’re designing a WELL-certified office or a LEED v4 learning environment, Timberix products help you create calm, beautiful spaces without compromising indoor air quality or safety. Transparency is built into every panel—by design.

References

  1. Health Product Declaration Collaborative. (2023). What is an HPD?. HPDC. 
  2. US Green Building Council. (2023). LEED v4.1 Materials and Resources – Material Ingredients. USGBC. 
  3. International WELL Building Institute. (2023). WELL Standard v2: Materials Concept. IWBI. 
  4. HPD Public Repository. (2023). Search for Verified HPDs. HPDC. 
  5. BuildingGreen. (2022). Using HPDs to Create Healthier Interiors. BuildingGreen. 

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