26 Jun Is It Certified?
As Green Squared joins a long list of “green” certifications in the marketplace, some flooring companies are planning to make product certifications readily available
We once said what could be more natural and less toxic than a tile floor? It is baked dirt, after all, fired at temperatures exceeding 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Surely, this heat would burn off organics present in clay or binders, resulting in a product that emits no VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds).
Well, as with all green interior products these days, more and more people are saying, “prove it.”
That’s why there is an indoor-air quality certification requirement within the Green Squared Certification, an ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standard that recently has gone into use for tile manufacturers.
“The concern is anything added to the product after firing,” says Ryan Marino, standards development officer for the Tile Council of North America.
While Green Squared is a relatively new standard, the number of manufacturers seeking third-party certification indicate a strong commitment to sustainable manufacturing, Marino says. The standard also sets forth requirements for planet-friendly tile products.
Manufacturers including Crossville, Ironrock, Daltile, Interceramic and Florida Tile either have or soon will have Green Squared certified products.
Under the Green Squared standard, chemical emissions have to be tested by a third-party certifier – such as Scientific Certification Systems or the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute — and proven to comply with one of three standards, which include California Standard 01350.
What is yet to be seen is how quickly the manufacturers’ marketing materials will be able to clarify for consumers which products have the Green Squared certification. ©
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