BEIJING - In a major move toward global expansion, the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) has opened its overseas operations in Beijing, China. The opening includes the launch of its new Chinese Web site, www.greenguard.org.cn.

GEI's Beijing headquarters serve the entire Asia-Pacific market, including China, Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, South Korea, Philippines and Thailand. It will work with manufacturers in those nations to produce low-emitting building products and materials for local and international markets. The office is expected to benefit a variety of GREENGUARD stakeholders, including U.S. and foreign consumers, U.S. and foreign manufacturers, and U.S. and foreign product suppliers and distributors.

"So many products sold in the U.S. today are manufactured in China and surrounding nations," said Henning Bloech, Executive Director of GEI. "We saw a clear need to help those manufacturers produce high-quality, low-emitting products that create healthier indoor environments, and it just made sense to offer them assistance on their own soil. This is an incredible opportunity to make a lasting, positive impact on building products and materials that are manufactured in, sold in and exported from the Asia-Pacific region."

Preliminary market research conducted on behalf of GEI revealed that the Chinese middle class has a growing interest in "greener," healthier living and a heightened concern over poor air quality. China's air pollution levels are severe, according to The World Bank, and the World Health Organization calls the state of the environment in China "a major health concern."

A fulltime onsite staff provides technical, marketing, sales, and new and ongoing customer support directly from the Beijing office to manufacturers throughout the Asia-Pacific region. In addition, the GREENGUARD Chinese Web site will serve as a valuable learning tool to Chinese manufacturers and the Chinese public.