shawfloors.com
07.06.2016
GREENGUARD
Technical Communication
May this Technical Communication serve as official notice of the following information:
Since 2009, all Shaw hardwood and laminate flooring products have met GREENGUARD
Certification criteria. The GREENGUARD Certifications from UL Environment recognize interior
products and materials that have low chemical emissions, improving the quality of the air in
which the products are used. Meeting stringent emissions standards, Shaw's laminate flooring
has received the GREENGUARD Certification; and the vast majority of Shaw's hardwood flooring
products have achieved the GREENGUARD Gold Certification which contributes toward numerous
green building rating systems, including LEED. To maintain Certification, products are retested on
an ongoing basis. The Greenguard website (Greenguard Website - Shaw Product Listing) outlines
specifics about Shaw products and their Greenguard certification levels.
GREENGUARD Certification
The first voluntary North American indoor air quality product certification created specifically for
commercial building products, this certification requires that products meet stringent chemical
emissions requirements originally developed as purchasing specifications for building projects for
the US EPA and the State of Washington. Products with GREENGUARD Certification (formerly
known as GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certification) are compliant with stringent emission
levels for over 360 VOCs, plus a limit on the total of all chemical emissions combined (TVOC).
GREENGUARD Gold
The GREENGUARD Gold standard (formerly known as GREENGUARD Children & Schools
Certification) includes safety factors to account for sensitive individuals (such as children and the
elderly) and ensures that a product is acceptable for use in environments such as schools and
healthcare facilities. In addition to limiting emissions of more than 360 VOCs and total chemical
emissions, GREENGUARD Gold Certified products must also comply with requirements of the
State of California's Department of Public Health "Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation
of Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions from Indoor Sources Using Environmental Chambers,
Version 1.1 (2010)" (also known as California Section 01350). Questions or comments about
HSQC technical communications should be routed through the Hard Surfaces Quality Control
department as follows: Hardwood and associated sundries issues Mark Barnett (706) 965-0742
Laminate, tile & stone, resilient and associated sundries issues Brian Vandagriff (706) 965-0823
General quality and claims issues Chris Willingham (706) 275-5415 General quality issues and
concerns Bob Grant (706) 965-0770
Also, for questions involving sustainability Troy Virgo (706) 275-2185