Our programs allow consumers to have the best carpet experience by picking the right products for their floor and picking the best products to maintain it.

Green Label Plus

Green Label Plus, an ANAB-accredited program, certifies carpet and carpet products as low-VOC emitting products. Recognized by organizations like USGBC, EPA, UL, and WELL, GLP continues to set the bar as one of the best indoor air quality testing programs today.

NSF/ANSI 140 Sustainability Assessment for Carpet

NSF 140 provides the information architects, designers, and other building professionals need to procure the environmentally-friendly products they need for projects. The assessment recognizes sustainable carpet products on a rating system of silver, gold, and platinum.

Seal of Approval

The Seal of Approval program identifies the best carpet cleaning products and equipment available for consumers to keep carpet looking great and lasting for its intended life. By using SOA-certified products, consumers maintain the appearance of carpet and keep warranties intact.

Through our programs, Green Label Plus, NSF 140, and Seal of Approval, the Carpet and Rug Institute is working towards designing better products for consumers, creating better buildings for work, and making better homes for families.

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In any healthcare setting, patient care comes first. That’s why maintaining indoor air quality is paramount. The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) has conducted scientific research and gathered independent data that show carpet is not only a viable choice for the healthcare industry, it’s the best choice.

What You Should Know

– New carpet emits the lowest levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of common flooring choices. Not only is it the lowest-emitting floor covering, it is also one of the lowest-emitting construction and renovation products overall – much lower than products such as paint.

– What low emissions in new carpet there are drop significantly after 24 hours – even sooner with fresh air ventilation.

– Carpet manufacturers were the first in the flooring industry to thoroughly study their products for indoor air quality effects.

– In 1992, CRI became the first organization to set limits on how many VOCs from carpet, adhesives and cushion may be released into the air. Since then, the Green Label Plus program has voluntarily raised IAQ standards by requiring even lower emission levels and increasing the number of compounds evaluated.

– CRI also worked with California’s Sustainable Building Task Force and Department of Health to certify carpet and adhesives. Green Label Plus exceeds the low-emitting product testing protocols used by the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS).
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– The Green Guide for Health Care (GGHC), a best practices guide for healthy and sustainable building, design, construction and operations for healthcare facilities, specifies the use of CRI-approved carpet.

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To assist in the process, CRI has created Green Label Plus for carpet, adhesives, and cushion to raise the bar on lowering emissions.

Green Label Plus is a voluntary, industry testing program for carpet, adhesive and cushion products that establish the highest standard for indoor air quality (IAQ) ever set by the carpet industry. The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) created Green Label Plus to identify carpets, adhesives, and cushions that are tested by an independent, certified laboratory and meet stringent criteria for low chemical emissions.

• It ensures customers they are purchasing the lowest emitting carpet, adhesive and cushion products on the market.
• It is designed for architects, builders, specifiers and facility managers who want assurance that carpet, adhesive and cushion products meet the most stringent criteria for low chemical emissions.

Meets California’s CHPS Criteria

Green Label Plus meets, and even exceeds, California’s indoor quality standards for low-emitting products used in commercial settings such as schools and office buildings. The carpet industry took the initiative to enhance its GreenLabel program for carpet, adhesives and cushion to meet testing protocols used by the Collaborative for HighPerformance Schools (CHPS). Under the agreement between CRI and the California agencies, Green Label Plus is acceptable for the CHPS low-emitting materials criteria for use in schools.

The Green Label Plus symbol indicates:

• The manufacturer voluntarily participates in the program and is committed to developing ways to minimize any adverse effects on indoor air quality.
• A representative sample of the product type is tested by an independent laboratory and meets the established emissions requirements.
• The product is also recognized by the US Green Building Council’s LEED version 4 standard as a Low-Emitting Materials Third Party Certification and can contribute one point to a building’s LEED score.

GLP Passes Rigorous Testing

To receive Green Label Plus certification, carpet, adhesive and cushion products must undergo a rigorous testing process. Emissions are measured for a range of chemicals and testing is administered by an independent laboratory. All testing evaluates carpet against the 35 compounds listed on the California 01350 version 1.1, except for Caprolactam. Each product category also includes additional compounds for certification, six for carpet, two for carpet, and seven for adhesive.

For acceptance into the GLP program, a product must pass a 14-day test of the full list of 35 compounds, along with its specific category compounds, and the total level of volatile organic compound (TVOC).
Annual testing is required for continued compliance within the GLP program. Samples will be evaluated at 24 hours. If the sample does not meet the 24-hour criteria, the test may be extended to 14 days upon approval by the participant. Biennial testing is also required for continued certification under Green Label Plus. Done every second year after the initial test, a test sample is evaluated at 14 days for the full list of compounds and category-specific compounds.

Green Label Plus Measures Up

The Green Label Plus program is an example of the Carpet and Rug Institute’s leadership in the best practices of environmental responsibility. ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB), the premier source for international standardization and conformity assessment, has accredited CRI for testing indoor air quality.

Green Label Plus is the first, and only, ANAB-accredited green carpet program in the U.S. An accreditation body is an impartial third party that tests and evaluates a product to determine its compliance with relevant standards.

Green Label Plus programs, which test for and certify low emissions from carpet and adhesive, comply with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Guide 17065, General Requirements for Bodies Operating Product Certification Programs.

• ANAB-accreditation is a further assurance that the products tested and certified by CRI are green building products that meet high standards for indoor air quality.

Learn more about Green Label Plus and Green Label Plus products at www.carpet-rug.org/GLP.

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Carpet is designed to look great and last for years. The carpet industry is also designing ways to reduce its carbon footprint. Manufacturers voluntarily address this problem by recycling old carpet materials into new carpet production or alternative uses such as building materials, auto parts, and carpet tile. Because less waste means a better future for us all.

What You Should Know

• Through the Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE), carpet companies are taking the initiative to work with government entities and product suppliers to develop market-based solutions for the recycling and use of post-consumer carpet. For more information, visit www.carpetrecovery.org.

• It is estimated that carpet recycling efforts currently have saved over 4 billion pounds of waste from being deposited in U.S. landfills.

• You can earn LEED points by incorporating salvaged materials– such as refurbished, reused, or recycled carpet – into plans for new construction or renovation. Recycled content carpet meets the same industry performance standards, and carries the same manufacturer warranties, as carpet without recycled content.

• Carpets certified to the Green Label Plus program contribute to Green Globes and LEED® credits for low-emitting materials. Some of these carpets can also contribute to the recycled content, rapidly renewable, and regional credits.

• Green Label Plus is a requirement in the public health and environment sections of NSF/ANSI 140 – the sustainability assessment for carpet. NSF/ANSI 140 is the preeminent measurement of the sustainability characteristics of carpets. By specifying all carpets certified to NSF/ANSI 140, you can be eligible for the Innovation in Design Credit in LEED projects.

• The industry has also taken steps to be more green in carpet production. It is one of the only industries in the United States that voluntarily meets the Kyoto Protocol for carbon dioxide emissions.

• The amount of energy used to produce a square yard of carpet has fallen 70% since 1990. The amount of water used has dropped 46% in the same time period.

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When it comes to air quality, you can breathe easier with carpet. Despite misconceptions, carpet emits less and filters more compounds than any other flooring option. The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) has conducted scientific research and gathered independent data that show carpet delivers the better air quality than other flooring types.

What You Should Know

• New carpet is one of the lowest-emitting products used in new construction and renovation – much lower than products such as paint. The already low VOC emission of new carpet drops significantly after 24 hours—even sooner with fresh air ventilation.

• Carpet manufacturers were the first in the flooring industry to thoroughly study their products for indoor air quality effects in commercial settings. CRI worked with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), academic institutions and independent laboratories to evaluate carpet’s role in the indoor environment.

• In 1992, CRI became the first organization to set limits on VOC emissions from carpet, adhesives, and cushion. Since then, the Green Label Plus program has voluntarily tightened IAQ standards by requiring even lower emission levels and increasing the number of compounds evaluated.

• CRI also worked with California’s Sustainable Building Task Force and Department of Health to certify carpet and adhesives. Green Label Plus exceeds the low-emitting product testing protocols used by the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS).

• Products certified to the Green Label Plus program contribute to Green Globes and LEED® credits for low-emitting materials.

• Green Label Plus is a requirement in the public health and environment sections of NSF/ANSI 140 – the sustainability assessment for carpet. NSF/ANSI 140 is the preeminent measurement of the sustainability characteristics of carpets. By specifying all carpets certified to NSF/ANSI 140, you can be eligible for the Innovation in Design Credit in LEED projects.

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The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) has conducted scientific research and gathered independent data that show carpet is not only a viable flooring choice, it’s the best choice.

What You Should Know

•New carpet is one of the lowest-emitting products used in new construction and renovation – much lower than products such as paint. The already low VOC emission of new carpet drops significantly after 24 hours—even sooner with fresh air ventilation.

•Carpet manufacturers were the first in the flooring industry to thoroughly study their products for indoor air quality effects. CRI worked with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), academic institutions and independent laboratories to evaluate carpet’s role in the indoor the environment.

•In 1992, CRI became the first organization to set limits on VOC emissions from carpet, adhesives and cushion. Since then, the Green Label Plus program has voluntarily tightened IAQ standards by requiring even lower emission levels and increasing the number of compounds evaluated.

•CRI also worked with California’s Sustainable Building Task Force and Department of Health to certify carpet and adhesives. Green Label Plus exceeds the low-emitting product testing protocols used by the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS).

•Carpet also plays the role of an air filter: carpet traps dust, pollen and other particles, taking them out of the breathing zone until they can be removed easily by vacuuming.

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If you’re considering remodeling your home, there are a number of decisions you need to make in regards to budget, style, design, but one easy decision is to include carpet as the flooring option for your home.

Whether you’re redesigning a recently purchased home or the home you’ve owned for many years, carpet adds value, style, and much more to an interior space.

1. Cost-effective Flooring

Carpet is one of the most cost-effective flooring options on the market. It offers value and many enhancements for your home. If you’re looking to upgrade your flooring, carpet is a great option and a great value.

2. Cost-effective (and Simple) Cleaning

Cleaning is another major benefit carpet has over other types of flooring. Some hard floor surfaces require extensive and expensive cleaning throughout the life of the floor. However, with carpet, regular vacuuming and an annual deep cleaning are all that is necessary to keep carpet looking great and lasting for its intended life.

3. Design Options

Carpet offers so many options for you to create the indoor space you’ve always wanted. Color options allow you to make a space appear more open, while a darker shade gives a room more coziness. The style of carpet offers can be related to comfort too. Cut pile, loop, and other designs allow you to give a specific feel and comfort for your indoor space.

4. Sustainability

Carpet’s sustainability factor is something not many people consider but should be a part of your purchasing decision. The carpet industry has worked hard to ensure that its products are sustainable and environmentally friendly.

5. Comfort and Warmth

Carpet offers something no other flooring does: comfort. Carpet provides sure footing and traction that other floor surfaces do not. Also among the other benefits of carpet is insulation. Many surfaces are cold on your feet, but carpet helps keep your feet warm.

6. Indoor Air Quality

Another often overlooked consideration for your purchasing decision is indoor air quality (IAQ). IAQ is becoming more-and-more important in today’s world as the EPA reports that we spend approximately 90% of our time indoors, which puts a premium on the air you breathe.

Carpet improves IAQ by trapping dust and allergens in the home, which are removed through vacuuming, and by certifications like Green Label Plus, which certifies that carpet is a low emitter of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Overall, carpet is a great flooring option you should consider for your home. Its benefits are well known and will add to the value, comfort, and health of your home.

The post 6 Reasons to Choose Carpet for Your Next Remodel Project appeared first on The Carpet and Rug Institute.

Millions of people go in and out of schools, hospitals, retail establishments and office buildings every single day, not realizing how environmentally-sustainable the floors they walk on have become.

There’s little doubt these days that being green is increasingly expected.

Businesses and consumers alike want to be good stewards of the environment, to conserve natural resources, to create more healthy indoor environments and to benefit from products that are made to last.

This is particularly true in the carpet industry, where sustainable manufacturing has become the norm and where recent innovations in product development have resulted in flooring products that are more stain resistant, more durable and longer lasting than ever before.

But what exactly makes a carpet product sustainable?

And how can public venues like schools, healthcare facilities, hospitality centers and the like make sure they’re getting what they desire in terms of sustainable attributes, performance, and value?

Manufacturers

Sustainability starts with the manufacturers, who have been steadfast in reducing their environmental footprint for the past several decades.

From a manufacturing viewpoint, assessing a carpet’s sustainability takes into account a number of the processes and resources used to manufacture that product, said Paul Murray, vice president of sustainability and environmental affairs for Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) member manufacturer Shaw Industries.

Those include, “Stewardship of natural resources such as water; effective management of energy and related carbon emissions; the types of materials used in products and their environmental and human impacts; the ability to recycle products at the end of their useful lives; and a manufacturer’s track record of providing safe conditions for and fair treatment of workers,” Murray says.

Over the past decade, carpet manufacturers have allocated tremendous resources of money and manpower to improve sustainability within their individual companies as well as the industry overall.

They’ve made great strides in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, and reliance on fossil fuels; in some cases substituting renewable energy sources.

And they’ve increased the use of both post-industrial and post-consumer waste materials in carpet production.

According to Murray, transparent manufacturers readily provide this information on their websites — in the form of a company’s annual Sustainability Report or eco-specs available per product.

In addition, there are third-party certifications, such as CRI’s Green Label Plus Indoor Air Quality standard and ANSI/NSF 140 Sustainability Assessment for Carpet, that can be used to evaluate one or more aspects of a product’s sustainability.

Sustainability also has a great deal to do with purchasing a product that is durable and will perform well for years to come.

A carpet that performs as needed throughout its intended use cycle is a decision that facility managers and building owners can feel good about.

As a purchaser, getting the most bang for your buck when choosing carpet really boils down to three things:

• Selecting the right carpet for the right space

• Installing that carpet properly and efficiently

• Maintaining that carpet via regular and specialized cleaning and maintenance over its lifecycle.

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