CRI Adds Adhesives to Green Label Plus Program

Dalton, GA - August 2--The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) has added adhesives 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," noted Werner Braun, CRI president. "The Green Label Plus label on carpets, and now adhesives, assures end users these products meet stringent requirements for low chemical emissions. Green Label Plus has once again set the highest standard regarding indoor air quality for carpet industry products." Working in cooperation with California’s Sustainable Building Task Force and the Department of Health Services, Indoor Air Quality Section, the carpet industry last year voluntarily upgraded its well-known Green Label program to meet, and even exceed, testing protocols used by the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) for achieving good indoor air quality. CRI and the agencies agreed that Green Label Plus is acceptable in lieu of Section 01350, the CHPS low- emitting materials criteria. To receive Green Label Plus certification, adhesives must undergo a 14-day testing process for 10 compounds, as required by Section 01350 guidelines, plus five additional compounds, as required by CRI. 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," added Braun. "Green Label Plus certification ensures specifiers and customers that they are getting one of the lowest-emitting products in the marketplace." Commercial carpet and adhesives that meet the criteria for Green Label Plus are listed on the CRI website.