CRI Certifies First Foreign-Made Extractor

Dalton, GA, Feb. 20, 2013 -- The Carpet and Rug Institute's Seal of Approval  program has "gone international,"  officials said, after Scandinavian-based manufacturer Ångtvättbilen AB began participating in CRI's testing program for carpet cleaning products and equipment.

Ångtvättbilen AB, a manufacturer of carpet extractors sold exclusively in Sweden and Norway, submitted one of its machines for SOA certification testing last fall, and it has earned gold status, signifying superior performance in soil removal, water removal, and texture retention.

"This is the first foreign-based manufacturer to submit a product to be judged by CRI's highly-regarded SOA program," said CRI president Werner Braun.

"As we are the only carpet trade association to have a testing program for carpet cleaning equipment, it is gratifying and exciting to now have international participation."

In 2005, CRI began its testing program on carpet cleaning equipment, including carpet extractors, which are powerful machines that use cleaning solutions to deep clean carpets.

CRI sends numerous types of carpet-related products, such as vacuum cleaners and carpet extractors, to be evaluated for effectiveness by an independent testing facility. Those products that meet or exceed the stringent requirements can earn bronze, silver, gold, or, in the case of systems or extractors, platinum rating.

"With the addition of Ångtvättbilen AB, we have now awarded bronze, silver, or gold certification to 91 carpet extractors through the SOA program," says CRI's director of standards Pat Jennings.