You’ve probably heard about the Energy Star Label for Buildings and the LEED green building rating system. Now there could be a new credential for facility executives to aim for, one that shows the organization is prepared for emergencies.

Deep inside the bill to implement the remaining recommendations of the 9/11 commission is a measure that requires the Department of Homeland Security set up a program to certify businesses with emergency preparedness programs that meet a voluntary national standard. The bill was signed into law Aug. 3.

Although the program is voluntary, it could become a de facto standard for commercial real estate, reports the Real Estate Roundtable.

The Roundtable reports that the House version of the bill specifically mentions the National Fire Protection Association’s NFPA 1600, “Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs.” But the new law doesn’t mandate the NFPA standard. Other possibilities, according to the Roundtable, are the ASIS General Security Risk Assessment Guideline and ASIS Business Continuity Guideline.

The program has the potential to be good news. Just as the Energy Star Label for Buildings and the LEED rating system have helped foster energy efficiency and green design, the new certification program could help improve the state of emergency preparedness.