CRI defends validity of Seal of Approval Testing

15 Jun '10

2 min read

The President of the Carpet and Rug Institute says questions raised in a recently-published white paper critical of CRI's signature Seal of Approval (SOA) testing and certification program for carpet cleaning products have long since been addressed and resolved. Vigorously defending the SOA program, CRI President Werner Braun said, "The Seal of Approval program has raised the standard of carpet cleaning, which has led to better cleaning products on the market and higher customer satisfaction overall."

The paper, titled, "Discussion Regarding a Novel Method: The Use of X-Ray Fluorescence for Quantitative Analysis of Elements in Carpet", was produced and paid for by Racine Industries, a longtime critic of the SOA program. The document specifically targets components of the SOA testing that use X-Ray Fluorescence, or XRF, to identify and measure carpet soil removal in vacuums and extractors. XRF imaging was originally developed and used by NASA as part of the Space Shuttle program. According to Braun, the Racine paper rehashes old information and raises meaningless questions. "There is nothing [in the document] that has not been addressed either before or since the SOA program was introduced at NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center in the Fall of 2004," Braun said. "It is disappointing to see questions listed as unanswered when we have, in fact, answered Racine Industries on multiple occasions in writing."

In summary, Braun says that one of CRI's primary goals is to ensure that consumers enjoy their carpet experience, recognizing that proper cleaning and maintenance is a big part of that enjoyment. CRI lists these things as vital to the proper care and maintenance of carpet: good products, effective equipment, well-trained technicians and a schedule of regular maintenance. "The Seal of Approval program recognizes that even the best piece of equipment will likely not be as effective in the hands of an untrained technician. That is why we include a membership program for qualified Service Providers as part of SOA. In terms of accessing the best cleaning professionals, and particularly in regard to what products and equipment work best when used according to manufacturers' directions, the Seal of Approval program is invaluable, and without peer in the flooring industry. I stand behind it 100 percent," said Braun.

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