Dalton—The Carpet & Rug Institute (CRI) continues expanding its Seal of Approval carpet cleaning, testing and certification program with the announcement of two green additions: higher-performing vacuum cleaners for indoor air quality (IAQ) and cleaning chemical certification.

“The Seal of Approval sets a new standard for carpet cleaning effectiveness, and we are raising the bar again by enhancing standards for vacuum cleaning performance,” said Werner Braun, CRI’s president. “At the same time, we are partnering with nationally recognized green certifiers to ensure a product not only cleans effectively but also is environmentally friendly.”

These independent testing labs measure soil removal, containment of dirt and dust within the machine and carpet fiber protection. The Green Label vacuum program is tiered with three levels of achievement: bronze, silver and gold.

To acquire a bronze certification, vacuums must improve at least 10% over the existing Green Label program. Silver and gold standards have tougher requirements, but a gold level machine must also meet a higher dust containment standard to assure IAQ.

The new program utilizes NASA’s X-ray fluorescence technology to differentiate performance levels by measuring precise soil removal. The program also allows vacuum manufacturers that attain the Seal to display NASA’s Space Foundation Seal as well, which helps promote consumer applications for space technology. Manufacturers currently in the Green Label program will maintain certification until 2010, at which point the old program will phase out.

Working to keep things green, CRI is also partnered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Design for the Environment program. This certifies that Seal of Approval Green Label cleaning products do not damage the environment.

A list of all Seal of Approval products, which, besides cleaning and maintenance items, include carpets, adhesives and cushion, can be found at the organization’s Web site, www.carpet-rug.org.