SCS FloorScore®
Find out more about the SCS FloorScore® here!
SCS FloorScore®
The SCS FloorScore® is a US-American certification program for floor coverings. It evaluates the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from floor coverings and their components.
The certification helps to ensure environmentally friendly and healthy indoor air conditions.
Award criteria for the SCS FloorScore®:
VOC emissions:
- Maximum VOC emissions: Volatile organic compound emissions must be below established limits based on California Section 01350 guidelines.
- Long-term and short-term emissions: Both types of emissions are assessed to ensure that product emissions remain low over a longer period of time.
Test methods:
- Accredited laboratory tests: The products must be tested by a laboratory accredited by the SCS.
- Test standards: Tests must be conducted in accordance with established standards and methods, such as ASTM C 1537, EPA Method 24 or other relevant standards.
Product composition:
- Materials and components: All materials and components used, including adhesives, coatings and additives, must meet the emission requirements.
Product quality:
- Consistent quality: The product must remain consistent in terms of emission properties throughout the entire production series.
Labeling and documentation:
- Labeling: Products must be correctly labeled with the SCS FloorScore® logo.
- Documentation: Manufacturers must provide and maintain all relevant test results and certification documents.
Regular review:
- Certification period: The certificate is valid for a certain period of time, after which re-testing and re-certification is required.
- Quality controls: Regular quality controls and tests are carried out to ensure continuous compliance with emission requirements.
Manufacturer obligations:
- Disclosure: Manufacturers must ensure complete transparency about the product composition and the test methods used.
- Compliance: Manufacturers must ensure that their production processes and materials always meet the requirements.
The SCS FloorScore® is suitable for the following product groups:
- Cement-bound floor coverings
- Ceramics
- Cork floor coverings
- Floor covering adhesives
- Hardwood parquet and bamboo flooring
- Laminate flooring
- Linoleum
- Polymer floor coverings
- Porcelain
- Raised floor coverings
- Rubber floor coverings
- Subfloors
- Vinyl composite tiles (VCT), vinyl sheets, vinyl tiles and luxury vinyl tiles (LVT)
- Wall plinth
- Stair treads and accessories
SCS FloorScore®: Certification body
The certification body for the SCS FloorScore® is SCS Global Services. Here you can find more information about the certification process.
Costs for the SCS FloorScore®
As with most product labels, there is no exact public cost breakdown for the SCS FloorScore®.
The costs usually depend on several factors, such as the type of product to be certified, the testing effort and the size and scope of the certification (depending on the size of the company and the number of products to be certified).
It is therefore best to contact SCS Global Services directly if you have any questions about the costs of certification.
Is the SCS FloorScore® mandatory?
The SCS FloorScore® is a voluntary certification program.
While it is not a legal requirement, the FloorScore® certificate can be beneficial for manufacturers and projects that focus on sustainability and environmental friendliness.
Recognition of the SCS FloorScore® for certification systems
The SCS FloorScore® certificate is often recognized by other environmental and sustainability certification schemes, particularly in relation to indoor air quality and environmental standards.
The FloorScore® certificate meets the requirements for low emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), making it a valuable certification for projects aiming for high environmental and health standards.
Sources: http://scsglobalservices.com