GUT-Signet
The GUT-Signet is a test seal for carpeting. Here you will find important information!
GUT-Signet - test seal for carpeting
The GUT-Signet test seal for carpets is a label awarded by the Gemeinschaft umweltfreundlicher Teppichboden e.V. (GUT). It stands for environmentally friendly carpets that are harmless to health and must meet certain criteria in order to be certified.
The GUT label is regarded by both manufacturers and consumers as a reliable label for environmentally friendly carpets.
Criteria for awarding the GUT-Signet - test seal
The most important criteria of the GUT label for carpets are
1. environmental friendliness:
The carpets may only contain materials that are demonstrably environmentally friendly and do not release any harmful chemicals or substances.
2. health compatibility:
Strict requirements are set for emissions, particularly with regard to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other potentially harmful substances. The current GUT criteria contain limit values, compliance with which must be ensured.
3. sustainability:
The products must be manufactured sustainably and meet ecological standards in order to conserve resources and minimize environmental impact.
4. certification:
In order to receive the GUT-Signet test seal, textile floor coverings must have been tested by recognized European research institutes for their pollutant content, emissions and odour formation. Only products that meet all the requirements are awarded the seal of approval.
GUT limit values for VOC emissions
Here you will find a table with the GUT limit values for VOC emissions
GUT signet Seal of approval: Certification body
The GUT seal of approval for carpets is awarded by the Gemeinschaft umweltfreundlicher Teppichboden e.V. (GUT). The GUT itself is not a certification body in the conventional sense, but rather an organization that defines the standards and criteria according to which carpets are certified.
Certification is carried out by independent testing institutes and laboratories that are commissioned by the manufacturers to check the conformity of their products with the GUT requirements. These test results are then evaluated by GUT to ensure that the carpets meet the required environmental and health standards.
Institutes that carry out tests for the GUT-Signet test seal are, for example:
- The Belgian textile research institute CENTEXBEL
- The Textiles and Flooring Institute (TFI)
- The ÖTI – Institute for Ecology, Technology and Innovation GmbH
- The eco-INSTITUT Germany GmbH
- The Eurofins Group
- Normec Servaco
- The French Carpet Institute (Centre de Recherche et d’Etudes Technique du Tapis)
- The textile technology department of Ghent University
Costs for the GUT-Signet test seal
The costs for certification with the GUT-Signet test seal for carpets can vary depending on the manufacturer, product type, scope of the tests and the chosen certification body. Specific prices are not normally publicly available and may change over time.
To find out the current costs for certification, it is advisable to contact the Gemeinschaft umweltfreundlicher Teppichboden e.V. (GUT) or an accredited certification body that is authorized to test and certify carpets in accordance with the GUT standards. These organizations can provide detailed information on certification costs and also explain the necessary steps for the certification process.
The GUT-Signet test seal is suitable for the following product groups:
The GUT-Signet test seal is primarily suitable for carpets and other floor coverings that have to meet certain environmental and health standards. It is awarded specifically to products that are used indoors and whose emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other potentially harmful substances are reduced to a minimum.
Typical product groups for which the GUT-Signet test seal is suitable are:
1. carpets:
This includes all types of carpets and carpet tiles used in homes, offices, hotels and other interior spaces.
2. carpet backing and underlays:
The GUT label can also be awarded to the backs of carpets and carpet underlays to ensure that they are also environmentally friendly and harmless to health.
Is the GUT signet mandatory?
No, the use of the GUT-Signet test seal for carpets or other products is not mandatory. It is a voluntary seal of quality that manufacturers can choose to use to indicate the environmental friendliness and health compatibility of their products.
Recognition of the GUT-Signet test mark for certification systems
The GUT-Signet test seal is listed on the DGNB certification website under reference labels.
The GUT-Signet test seal for carpets is also recognized or at least positively evaluated by other certification systems such as LEED, BREEAM and WiredScore. These certification systems place great emphasis on the environmental and health aspects of building products, including the materials from which carpets are made and their impact on indoor air quality.
Source: https://gut-prodis.eu