The end of 2009 marked the end of the Carpet and Rug Institute's Green Label Standard for carpet. Developed in 1992, the Green Label standard set the first limits on carpet's emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). The Green Label program is replaced by the stronger and more comprehensive Green Label Plus (GLP) standard that was adopted in July, 2004.
Beginning January 1, 2010, there will no longer be any listings on the CRI Web site for carpet certified to the Green Label standard, however, all participating U.S. manufacturers have upgraded their products to meet the GLP program.
The Green Label program developed out of consumer and governmental concerns about carpet's effect on Indoor Air Quality. The original standard, developed in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), measured four compounds against an established criterion, as well as total volatile organic compounds, or TVOC.
Green Label Plus came about as the carpet industry worked to meet the requirements of the California Indoor Air Quality regulation known as CA 01350. Compared to Green Label, Green Label Plus measures 13 compounds against a standard criteria, plus TVOC. Carpets certified under GLP earn credit toward project totals under the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED program and are approved for the California Collaborative for High Performance Schools.
For more information contact Bethany Richmond at brichmond@carpet-rug.org or 706-428-2125.
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