Nov. 12, 2007 The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has approved a new certification standard to help purchasers select environmentally preferable carpet products.

The NSF 140-2007 Standard evaluates chemicals and materials used in manufacturing carpet, the energy used in production, the use of recycled or bio-based content, methods of disposal and reuse, and the overall environmental performance of manufacturers.

The new standard applies to carpets for all types of buildings, including commercial office, education, government, healthcare, and hospitality. Silver, gold, and platinum certification levels will be awarded to manufacturers based on the number of points earned, with a total of 114 points possible.

The standard provides enormous benefits to those who specify, approve, and purchase the billions of yards of carpet used annually in the U.S. by helping to identify products that meet our performance and environmental requirements, says Kirsten Ritchie, director of sustainable design for Gensler, a leader in sustainable design strategies. When we specify carpets certified to the standard, we know we are selecting carpets with a lower environmental impact.

Currently, 11 carpet products are certified to the NSF 140 Draft Standard. These products are expected to be available in the marketplace in 2008.

We expect this highly anticipated standard will be widely adopted and referenced across building design, construction and operation industries as the standard of choice for green carpet, said Jane Wilson, standards director for NSF International, a nonprofit certifier of commercial and consumer products. It is already serving as a model for other industry groups to follow.

The State of California has worked closely with government and industry to align the platinum level of NSF 140-2007 with its California Gold Sustainable Carpet Standard. California is planning to transition 100% of its state carpet purchases to the NSF 140-2007 platinum level over the next 12-18 months.

The ANSI standard builds on earlier efforts by the carpet industry to address environmental issues. The Green Label certification program, developed by the Carpet and Rug Institute, requires carpets to meet emissions criteria for volatile organic compounds and other chemicals is part of the new standard.