Product Category Rule (PCR) developed for flooring industry

Multiple flooring trade associations collaborated with NSF International, an independent nonprofit organization, to develop a Product Category Rule (PCR) for the flooring industry, according to FCNews.net.

The PCR is intended to provide science-based and internationally recognized procedures and standards for reporting the environmental impact of carpet, laminate, tile and wood flooring products. The information and data that goes into an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) will now have to fit the guidelines outlined by the PCR. The EPD is verified by a third party and functions similarly to a food nutrition label for the flooring materials.

One of the primary rules generated by the PCR is a specific definition on how to conduct a life cycle assessment (LCA) for a product group and what kind of data should be included in the EPD. This is an important assessment for consumers looking to buy hardwood flooring or any other type of floor material.

"Product Category Rule development provides the necessary foundation for life cycle assessment reporting and Environmental Product Declarations of flooring materials," said Bill Freeman, a consultant to the Resilient Floor Covering Institute, one of the trade organizations involved with the development of the PCR. "All three are essential to lend credibility to environmental data and provide our customers with a comprehensive tool to evaluate the environmental impacts of their flooring products."

NSF International has been working for over six decades to establish standards and certifications for manufacturers, regulators and consumers. The organization focuses on public health issues, such as protecting the world's food, water and natural resources. The major trade organizations that worked with NSF International on this project include the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA), the North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) and the Tile Council of North America.

Clients looking at flooring materials are becoming increasingly environmentally-conscious with their choices when buying exotic hardwood floors. Fortunately for them and the contractors they work with, there is a host of sustainable materials that have flooded the flooring market in recent years. Cork, with its fast rate of renewal, is among the most popular green floor options. Coupled with its comfort, water-resistant properties and noise-cancelling attributes, cork has emerged as a frontrunner for consumers looking to do their part for the environment. Bamboo is a similar plant, with a fast renewal rate and little irrigation, fertilizer or pesticides required for its growth. Additionally, its exotic nature and stylish design make this an interesting choice.