Carpet Sweeping

The Carpet and Rug Institute (Dalton, Ga.), the national trade association for the carpet and rug industry, announced that adhesives have been added to its Green Label Plus indoor air quality testing program.

The Green Label Plus certification exceeds California’s standards for low chemical emitting products used in commercial and educational facilities.

“There is growing demand among architects, builders and facility administrators for products that contribute to a healthy indoor environment,” said CRI president Werner Braun. “The Green Label Plus label on carpets, and now adhesives, assures end users these products meet stringent requirements for low chemical emissions.”

Last year, the carpet industry — working in cooperation with California’s sustainable building task force and the Department of Health Services, indoor air quality section — voluntarily upgraded its Green Label program to meet, and even exceed, existing testing protocols for achieving acceptable indoor air quality.

To receive Green Label Plus certification, adhesives must undergo a 14-day testing process for 15 compounds. Subsequent annual and semi-annual tests check for specific targeted compounds and total levels of volatile organic compounds. To ensure objectivity, an independent laboratory administers the tests for the Green Label Plus program, which includes a chain of custody process and an annual audit of the testing laboratory.

“Many carpet adhesives today meet performance standards and emit far fewer chemicals than those of the past,” said Braun. “Green Label Plus certification ensures specifiers and customers that they are getting one of the lowest-emitting products in the marketplace.”

Commercial carpet that meet the criteria for Green Label Plus are listed on the CRI website.