Green Label Plus: A Commitment to Indoor Air Quality

The carpet industry has long been committed to creating products that are responsive to customer interest and demands, particularly when it comes to options that promote indoor air quality. Oftentimes, our customers want to select a carpet that is not only beautiful and durable, but also is as healthy as possible for their beloved families and fur babies. As parents ourselves, we understand our customers’ priorities.

Understanding Green Label Plus Certification

The Green Label Plus Program from the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) plays an important role in identifying products that help to ensure indoor air quality. It’s important for our customers to know what this certification means and why it matters. 

What is Green Label Plus?

Since its inception in the early 2000s, Green Label Plus has identified carpet, adhesive, and flooring products with very low emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). These are chemicals that are found in many household products, including flooring, and can be released into the air and potentially affect indoor air quality. The Green Label Plus program is an independent, third-party program that helps consumers and builders choose products that contribute to healthier indoor environments. 

Benefits of Green Label Plus

We spend a significant amount of time indoors and have a lot of flooring throughout our homes, so knowing we are using the healthiest products possible gives us peace of mind. By choosing Green Label Plus products, you are making a positive choice for your health and the environment. 

Here are some key benefits of the Green Label Plus certification:

• - Ensures low VOC emissions from carpet and flooring products

• - Promotes healthy indoor air quality

• - Provides a reliable way to identify environmentally friendly products

• - Contributes to LEED credits for green building projects

• - Is an independent review from flooring manufacturers

Who Should Look for Green Label Plus?

Anyone who is concerned about indoor air quality should look for products with Green Label Plus certification. This includes:

• - Homeowners planning renovations

• - Builders working on new construction

• - Facility managers responsible for maintaining healthier environments

• - Schools, daycares, hospitals, fitness centers, and other institutions

The Importance of Independent Testing

The Green Label Plus program involves independent laboratory testing to ensure that products meet strict criteria for VOC emissions. This third-party verification provides assurance that the products have been rigorously evaluated and are genuinely low-emitting. 

The testing process is the following:

1. Product samples are submitted to an independent laboratory.

2. Samples are tested for VOC emissions in controlled environmental chambers.

3. Results are compared to strict emission limits set by the Green Label Plus program. 

4. Products that meet the requirements are certified and can use the Green Label Plus certification

Need Some Inspiration?

Our showrooms in Delaware County and Chester County carry multiple options of carpet that are Green Label Plus certified. We recently helped customers in Bryn Mawr find the perfect low VOC carpet for a stair runner for their home. They ultimately selected a Shaw Anderson Tuftex product, Fetch in the color Birch, for their steps and hallway. More information about Fetch is on our website. You can see the beautiful stair rods as well that our installers were able to remove and replace to keep this unique design feature. You can see more of our work here.

 

Choosing Green Label Plus certified products is a simple step that can have a positive impact on indoor air quality and overall health.