DALTON—Understanding the certification process for the NSF/ANSI 140- 2007 Sustainable Carpet Assessment Standard can be a difficult and confusing process. To help alleviate the problem, NSF International, the company that helped develop the standard, has published a guidebook to help companies through the process.

NSF 140 applies to all broadloom and carpet tile, and evaluates products in commercial and institutional applications based on numerous environmental and socially responsible factors.

Frank Hurd, vice president and COO of the Carpet & Rug Institute, said the 71-page guidebook was designed to make it easier to use NSF 140 and establish consistency in the data collection and documentation required for certification. “We envisioned the guidance manual as a resource for those seeking to enter the certification arena, and I think it will prove to be even more valuable than we originally expected.”

In essence, the guidebook helps mills measure their conformance in the areas of environmental and social responsibility; quality control and record keeping; public health and the environment; energy use; manufacturing processes; reclamation and end of life management, and innovation. An appendix document offers a Target Achievement Level Scorecard so companies can evaluate what level of certification for which they are on target.

To access the complete guidebook document, visit standards.nsf.org/apps/group_public/download.php/4273/NSF%20140-2007%20Guidance%20Manual%200209.pdf.

For more information on NSF 140, call 706.428.2116.