WASHINGTON—The North American Laminate Association (NALFA) had added environmental requirements to its testing for laminate flooring products. The organization’s Certification Seal will now reflect what is reasonably expected in the quality and environmental attributes of laminate flooring products, noted Bill Dearing, NALFA’s president.

“Due to the demand by dealers and consumers for green products, and the environmentally friendly nature of laminate flooring—easy on natural resources, made from recycled wood and other wood derivatives, recyclable and free of air-damaging chemicals—it makes sense to include an environmental quality standard for laminate flooring products,” Dearing said.

The new NALFA Certification Seal is an image of a quality button with green accents to emphasize the environmentally friendly nature of the laminate flooring products. “We feel the new Certification Seal design encompasses what NALFA is testing for: quality and environmental attributes,” Dearing said. “Products that pass testing earn the NALFA Certification Seal, which helps dealers and consumers sort out quality products and know which products meet green requirements.”

The organization developed the NALFA Certification Seal in 2006 to help dealers and consumers differentiate between the quality of laminate products in the market. All NALFA-certified products will display the new seal on the manufacturer’s Web site, product packaging, advertising and additional promotional materials.

The environmental testing includes meeting regulations for laminate flooring core board set forth by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), sections 93120- 93120.12, title 17,of the California Code of Regulations. Products will be measured for formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

According to the CARB regulations, the purpose is to reduce formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products that are sold, supplied, used or manufactured for sale in California. Only products that have passed this testing will now be able to be sold, supplied or manufactured for sale in California.

In addition to the new environmental requirements, laminate flooring products are subjected to ANSI/NALFA LF-01-2008 Product Standards. Tests include, but aren’t limited to: static load, thickness swell, impact resistance, light resistance, cleanability/stain resistance, wear resistance, dimensional tolerances and castor chair resistance. Products are approved in three categories: commercial, light commercial and residential.

For a full listing of NALFA-certified products or for more information on testing standards, visit www.nalfa.com.