January 12, 2009—Citing shortcomings in the process used to develop the well-known environmental standard, the Carpet and Rug Institute has announced it will no longer recognize GreenSeal’s GS-37 Standard as a Green Certification for its Seal of Approval Carpet Cleaning Solutions.
According to CRI, Green Seal failed to follow its own written guidelines for consensus standard-setting, specifically in the areas of stakeholder input and risk assessment. “GS 37 is flawed and CRI cannot support it,” said CRI president Werner Braun.
Prior to its decision, CRI had accepted GS 37 as a component for its Seal of Approval Green designation, which identifies spot cleaners, pre-sprays, and in-tank cleaning solutions that are environmentally responsible as well as effective.
CRI continues to recognize the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Design for the Environment (DfE) certification, as well as the Canadian government’s EcoLogo and EnviroDesic certifications. Products that were certified under a previous version of GS 37 will retain their SOA Green designations, Braun said.
Braun said CRI would reconsider its decision if Green Seal were to “reopen the GS 37 standard and develop it in an environment that respects the consensus standard-setting process.” For more information, see the CRI Web site.
