The first ANSI-approved standard designed to help architects, designers and end users identify green carpets was unveiled during the recent Greenbuild show in Chicago. The voluntary standard offers three ratings (silver, gold and platinum) for reduced environmental impact and “defines environmental, social and economic performance requirements” for better benchmarking. The standard was developed by public health organization NSF International along with a committee of end users, architects, interior designers, manufacturers, academics and state and federal officials.

Jane Wilson, standards director for NSF, said she believes the new standard will have an immediate impact. “We expect this highly anticipated standard will be widely adopted and referenced across building design, construction and operation industries as the standard of choice for green carpet,” she said.

The Sustainable Carpet Assessment Standard, or NSF 140-2007, measures established performance requirements throughout the supply chain, including public health and environment, energy efficiency, bio-based and recycled materials, manufacturing and reclamation. Though the standard can be used to measure any carpet product, the NSF expects it will be used mostly for commercial carpet products to complement current green building codes. For more information, call (800) 673-6275 or visit www.nsf.org/info/carpet.