Carpet And Adhesive

Testing protocol and product requirements

Green Label Plus is an independent testing program that identifies carpet with very low emissions of VOCs to help improve indoor air quality. It is an enhancement to the CRI Green Label Carpet Testing Program. By selecting Green Label Plus carpet or adhesive, you are assured one of the lowest emitting products on the market, and you may be able to earn LEED or Green Guide for Health Care points.

To receive initial certification, carpet products undergo a 14-day testing process, as required by Section 01350 that measures emissions for a range of possible chemicals.

Carpet products: An independent laboratory tests carpet products for emission levels for seven chemicals as required by Section 01350, plus six additional chemicals as required by CRI.  The 13 chemicals measured are as follows:

• Acetaldehyde
• Benzene
• Caprolactam
• 2-Ethylhexanoic Acid
• Formaldehyde
• 1-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidinone
• Naphthalene
• Nonanal
• Octanal
• 4-Phenylcyclohexene
• Styrene
• Toluene
• Vinyl Acetate

CRI Green Label Plus Carpet Program Test Criteria: Carpet 24-Hour / 14-Day Emissions Test Criteria (PDF 20 KB) Need help with PDF?

Adhesive products:  Adhesive products are also independently tested for emission levels for 10 chemicals as required by Section 01350, plus 5 additional chemicals.  The 15 chemicals measured are as follows:

• Acetaldehyde
• Benzothiazole
• 2-Ethyl-1-Hexanol
• Formaldehyde
• Isooctylacrylate
• Methylbiphenyl
• 2-Methyl-Pyrrolidinone
• Naphthalene
• Phenol
• 4-Phenylcyclohexene (4-PCH)
• Styrene
• Toluene
• Vinyl Acetate
• Vinyl Cyclohexene
• Xylenes (m-,o-,p-)

In order to earn and maintain Green Label Plus certifications, carpet and adhesives must undergo a three-tier testing process to monitor continued compliance with the test program requirements.

• Initial test — The carpet meets the environmental emissions criteria as outlined in Section 01350.
• Quarterly testing — On a quarterly basis, the carpet meets the established emissions criteria for the total level of volatile organic compounds (TVOCs).
• Annual testing — On an annual basis, the carpet meets the TVOC emissions criteria, plus stringent emissions criteria for 13 individual compounds.

» Downloadable PDF: Section 01350 Guidelines.

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