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Healthcare · Buying Guide
Updated October 20262 min readHealthcare

Low-VOC Flooring Certifications Explained

What VOCs are, what the FloorScore, GreenGuard and CRI Green Label Plus labels test, and which layers of the install to check.

Pro Command EditorialBased on our product pages and guides

In this article

  1. What VOCs are
  2. The three labels to know
  3. Check every layer of the install
  4. Reduce exposure at install

Key takeaways

  • VOCs off-gas from some building products, including flooring
  • FloorScore tests floors, underlayments, wall bases and adhesives
  • Phthalates are not part of the FloorScore certification
  • Check the adhesive and the wall base, not only the floor
Look at the label on every layer: the floor, the adhesive, the underlayment and the wall base.

What VOCs are

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that some building products release into the air. This is called off-gassing. Short-term effects include eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches and worse asthma symptoms. People with chemical sensitivities and asthma can react more strongly in high-VOC rooms. Total VOC content (TVOC) is the combined concentration of VOCs in the air.

TVOC levelConcentration in air
LowLess than 0.3 mg/m3
Acceptable0.3 to 0.5 mg/m3
Marginal0.5 to 1 mg/m3
High1 to 3 mg/m3

The three labels to know

  • FloorScore®: The Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) created it with Scientific Certification Systems (SCS). It tests flooring, underlayments, wall bases and adhesives for indoor air quality emissions. Phthalates are not part of it.
  • GreenGuard: An indoor air quality test for low VOC and phthalate emissions. Products must be retested every year.
  • CRI Green Label Plus: The most common certification for carpet. Carpets go through a 14-day test of 35 compounds.

In the United States, the EPA regulates VOCs in consumer and commercial products under 40 CFR 59. For the floor itself, manufacturers and buyers use labels such as FloorScore to judge emissions.

Need the labels for every product?

Send us your product list. We will get the manufacturer documents for each item.

Check every layer of the install

Installation materials are one of the most neglected sources of VOCs. If you glue the floor down, use a VOC-compliant adhesive. Snap-together floors such as laminate need no glue. Check the underlayment and the wall base too. Some product pages state the label:

  • Shaw Great Basin II 12' sheet: FloorScore® certified.
  • Mannington Adura Flex 7" planks: FloorScore certified.
  • Duracove 2.5" rubber wall base: FloorScore certified and phthalate free.
  • Underlayment: Cork or low-VOC rubber underlayments help keep indoor air quality good.

Reduce exposure at install

  • Follow the manufacturer instructions for installation and ventilation.
  • Remove products from their packaging in an open area before the install.
  • Keep humidity at 45 percent or below. Many VOCs off-gas more in high humidity.
  • If you do not know the VOC content of a product, ask us before you order.

Sources

HealthcareBuying guideIndoor air qualityCertifications
Pro Command Editorial

Practical flooring guidance for commercial buyers, contractors, and facilities teams, written from FlooringInc product pages, category pages and guides.