NSF's New Flooring Standard in Draft Form

Ann Arbor, MI, June 19, 2008--Ann Arbor-based NSF International's new certification standard for sustainable flooring will let U.S. consumers evaluate claims of environmental friendliness from materials providers.

According to a story in Ann Arbor Business Review, the standard is still in draft form.

NSF gave its first approval to Mannington Mills in early June.

NSF hopes that its new standard will help companies earn points in the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program, known as LEED.

Thomas Phillips, vice president at Hobbs+Black Architects in Ann Arbor, told the newspaper that having another set of standards for flooring would help the industry, but he he is concerned aboout social responsibility requirements that he sees creeping into sustainability standards.

The NSF asks each applicant for certification to document that its major suppliers meet "social accountability" goals such as complying with local, regional and national labor rules.

Phillips cited the Forest Stewardship Council's standards on sustainable wood products and projects as an example of unintended consequences in green certification efforts. He said because of social responsibility criteria, the program has led to a near-monopoly situation, higher costs and fewer projects seeking the certification.

NSF said the process of gathering the evidence needed for certification can be lengthy, although a completed application can be approved within three months.