Washington—Since the North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) developed a standard for the performance criteria of the category’s products in 1991, the segment has expanded and evolved beyond the parameters originally set forth. Recognizing the need to update the voluntary standard, LF-01-2001, NALFA members worked to develop a more stringent and broader standard, one that would apply to the increasingly sophisticated laminate flooring products being introduced to the marketplace. With that, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has approved NALFA’s newly revised and upgraded LF-03.

The standard takes effect immediately and adds two levels of performance criteria for an expanding array of light commercial and commercial grade laminate products. Bill Dearing, NALFA’s president, said the association’s Technical Committee worked closely with trade organizations, consumers and manufacturers in revising and upgrading the standard to create a three-tiered system of performance criteria. “The requirements outlined in the original NALFA standard now will apply only to laminate product used in residential settings, which is the most basic of the three tiers.” The two commercial performance requirements are specifically designed to compensate for the higher wear levels which exist in these types of applications. Increased performance minimums have been established for static load, thickness/swell, ball impact, small ball impact and wear resistance.

As part of NALFA’s push to create a universal set of standards for the category, the new benchmarks have been developed to harmonize with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) requirements, which represent European products. In another move to simplify things, Dearing said test methods have been incorporated into the new specification. “This self-standing document provides performance criteria and test methods within the same document, so additional documents are no longer required to complete testing.” While a new standard has been established, the rules for getting a product NALFA-certified remain the same. A company must submit a sample product to a NALFA-approved testing facility where it will be tested according to the established protocol.

Products which meet the NALFA/ANSI standard are awarded the NALFA Seal of Certification. “This seal ensures everyone in the selling chain, from retailers, architect and builders to end users, the product has passed stringent tests and will provide high-grade performance,” Dearing explained. The seal has been designed for marketing use on packaging, collateral materials and store signage. “NALFA represents nearly 80% of North American laminate flooring manufacturers and importers,” he noted, “and it is our mission to encourage the establishment and maintenance of high standards in our industry and to recognize those that meet them.“

In other news, NALFA was named a sponsor in the 2004 ISO Flooring Conference which will be held in Key West, Fla., March 31 to April 2. The primary goal of this conference, which will have industry representatives from both North America and Europe, is to create harmony among the existing standards and requirements of laminate floors manufactured in member countries. In addition to laminate producers, the conference is expected to draw carpet and resilient flooring representatives from 50 countries. “The ISO Conference is a unique opportunity for us to discuss various testing methods as and industry standards with our European counterparts,” Dearing said.

“The U.S. has developed standards that are on par with those of the Europeans and which superbly judge a product’s ability to perform under real world conditions.” He pointed out that ISO approached NALFA about sponsoring the conference. “This invitation sends a clear message to the flooring community that NALFA has emerged from a short infancy to become a worldwide industry player. We bring an impressive collection of knowledge to the global laminate industry.” During the first two days of the meeting, delegates from eight countries, including the U.S., Sweden, Germany, France and Norway, will specifically discuss laminate industry standards and testing. The final day will be a larger overview session. For more information about the new standard or the conference, call 312/565-3900.