The International Code Council (ICC) published the 2012 International Green Construction Code (IgCC) today. The new model code addresses the construction and remodeling of residential as well as commercial structures, and is expected to increase cost savings and job growth and spur sustainable building design and construction.

The code cites 46 ASTM International standards covering various aspects of building construction and incorporates the 2011 version of Standard 189.1 as an optional path to compliance.

ASTM International is one of five cooperating sponsors of the IgCC, along with the American Institute of Architects, ASHRAE, the U.S. Green Building Council and the Illuminating Engineering Society. The new green code was developed at public hearings over the last three years with input from code and construction industry professionals, environmental organizations, policymakers and the public.

The IgCC is the first model code to include sustainability measures for entire construction projects. For both new and existing buildings, it provides model code language related to energy conservation, water efficiency, site impacts, building waste, material resource efficiency and other sustainability measures. Early versions of the IgCC, which were released during the development of the code, already have been put into use by states and jurisdictions.