NSF140 Sustainable Carpet Assessment Standard

A new standard in sustainability

This national environmental standard, recently developed through a consensus process representing stakeholders from industry, academia, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), states, and end-users, is the most stringent multi-attribute environmental standard in the nation. Mohawk was one of the first manufacturers to achieve the highly respected EPP Gold certification level. However, we didn't stop there. We went on to develop the largest variety of EPP certified products in our industry. Why? Because we want everyone to know that choosing Mohawk is also a choice for the environment.

An all in one assessment

So what exactly is this new standard? It's a national, ANSI standard for evaluating carpet for sustainability. The assessment covers five key criteria: (1) Safe for Public Health and the Environment, (2) Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, (3) Bio-based or Recycled Materials, (4) Facility or Company Based metrics, and (5) Reclamation, Sustainable Reuse and End of Life Management. Based on these five criteria, a product can achieve either the Platinum, Gold, or Silver award. Only those that achieve Platinum or Gold receive the Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP) certification.

Raising the bar for carpet makers

In 2006, the California Gold standard raised the bar even higher for carpet manufacturers. This standard introduced several additional pre-requisites to that of the NSF 140 Gold and Platinum standards, such as incorporating at least 10% post consumer recycled content, meeting specific requirements for indoor air emissions, measuring up in its recycling goals, avoiding PBDE flame retardants, and completing a life-cycle analysis. Starting in early 2008, a new, revised NSF 140 Platinum standard will incorporate these additional criteria, which previously fell under the California Gold standard. Several of our products had achieved the California Gold standard, and we fully expect to qualify products under the new Platinum standard at that time.

A more comprehensive approach

This new standard is perfectly suited to our way of doing things. Why? Because we have always emphasized a holistic approach to our environmental responsibility - it's an approach that touches every area of sustainability. Rather than limiting our environmental efforts to one or two specific initiatives, we take everything into account. This is how we assure ourselves and our customers that our products are not just leaders in performance, but are also leaders in sustainability, making the planet a cleaner, safer place to live.