NSF, Flooring Associations Define LCA Rule

Ann Arbor, MI, July 18, 2012 -- NSF International collaborated with multiple flooring trade associations to develop a product category rule for the flooring industry.

The rule provides both a science-based and internationally recognized method for reporting the environmental impact of resilient, carpet, laminate, tile, and wood flooring products.

Product category rules define how to conduct a life cycle assessment for a product group and what data to include in the resulting report, known as an Environmental Product Declaration.

LCAs measure inputs, outputs and environmental impacts of a product across its lifespan. The EPD is the third-party-verified report that functions like a food nutrition label to explain the data generated from a life cycle assessment.

Trade organizations involved in the development of the flooring PCR include:

Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI)
National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA)
North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA)
Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI)
Tile Council of North America (TCNA)

Both the Resilient Floor Covering Institute and Carpet and Rug Institute have a history of participation and collaboration with NSF’s National Center of Sustainability Standards.

Respectively, they participated in the development of the sustainability assessment standard for resilient flooring and for carpet. Both of these standards utilize life cycle assessments to support certification.