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whitespace Certified NSF Gold

from whitespace.bz -- Interior Design, 9/14/2009 12:00:00 AM

whitespace.bz recently achieved NSF Gold certification for all of its modular and broadloom products. The 100% web-based carpet brand's impressive environmental approach met or exceeded many of NSF international's strict product standards and guidelines.

The need for a standard carpet rating system became necessary over a decade ago. The carpet industry took a leadership position in developing the NSF standard along with EPA, state and federal government agencies, as well as architects, designers and the academic community. The purpose of NSF 140-2007, Sustainable Carpet Assessment Standard is to provide the designer a market-based definition for a path to sustainable carpet. This consensus based standard establishes performance requirements for public health and environment as well as addressing critical economic, environmental and social issues as they pertain to the industry.

NSF is similar to the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system in that it is based on total points, with three possible levels of certification - silver, gold, or platinum. However, NSF specifically pertains to carpet by evaluating products based on total life cycles – from fabrication to recycling and/or disposal. To be evaluated for certification, carpet manufacturers must provide detailed information on their manufacturing processes, energy consumption and materials used, as well as environmental and social benefits. Products must meet performance benchmarks, with additional credit available to manufacturers who demonstrate exceptional innovation in sustainability.

“NSF/ANSI 140 Gold level certification required our company’s total commitment, as we scrutinized and made changes to our products and processes,” said Don Dolan, executive vice-president, whitespace. “Achieving this degree of success is extremely gratifying; NSF/ANSI-140 establishes a high standard for sustainability that sets the entire carpet industry on a positive path for the future.”

NSF International, a non-profit organization, joins the whitespace team of eco-conscious partners including Antron® Carpet Fibers, Carpet and Rug Institute, Dow Chemical Company utilizing the LOMAX® technology, and Renewable Choice, provider of clean, renewable wind energy. In fact, whitespace offers one month home energy offsets from Renewable Choice to new registrants on its homepage.

For more information about whitespace and NSF certification, visit www.whitespace.bz