Every CALI hardwood, vinyl, and GeoWood floor is FloorScore certified. FloorScore is the most recognized indoor air quality (IAQ) certification standard for hard surface flooring materials, adhesives, and underlayments. It was developed by SCS (Scientific Certification Systems), a third party certifier, with the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI), a leading industry trade association of flooring manufacturers and suppliers.

How is the certification program organized and administered?

RFCI controls the FloorScore program name and logo. SCS acts as the third-party certifier ensuring program integrity and independence. This voluntary, independent certification program tests and measures risks to indoor air quality.

To do this, SCS does the following:

1. Works with the manufacturer to identify appropriate samples for testing;
2. Reviews VOC emission test reports generated by independent testing laboratories;
3. Determines if the test results meet the California Section 01350 requirements for individual VOCs of concern;
4. Inspects manufacturing plants to review product formulas, processing, and quality control in order to determine how the FloorScore seal may be used.

How are tests conducted and what parameters are measured in the laboratory?

• Formaldehyde – The tested product must emit less than or equal to 16.5 µg/m3
• Acetaldehyde – The tested product must emit less than or equal to 9 µg/m3
• All other organic chemicals with established CRELs (Chronic Reference Exposure Levels) – The tested product must emit less than or equal to 1/2 the CREL as listed in the latest edition of the Cal/EPA OEHHA list of chemicals with non-cancer CRELs.

The testing practice uses a ten-day conditioning period followed by a 4-day test period at defined conditions. This 14-day exposure period provides emission data characteristic of a product appropriate for assessing the product’s potential indoor air quality impacts. The test measures chamber concentrations of individual VOCs appearing on California lists of chemical substances that have potential health effects due to long-term exposures. Abundant compounds also are identified and measured. Only those compounds that can be analyzed by the prescribed widely used VOC EPA and ASTM methods are included. Individual VOCs are analyzed using multi-point calibration curves prepared with pure compounds. Laboratories must operate under an audited quality system.

So what does this mean for you, the customer?

Most of us spend as much as 90% of our lives indoors. (Yikes.) If you’re breathing poor quality air, you could risk facing a variety of health problems, including headaches, dizziness, and more serious long-term conditions. Installing FloorScore certified low VOC flooring means you’re making the healthier choice for your home and family.

If you’re a builder, working with FloorScore certified materials can also help you qualify for a variety of green building specifications like LEED, BREEAM, WELL Building Standard, and more.

See FloorScore certifications for each CALI flooring collection

Each CALI collection has its own specific FloorScore certification. To view the document, select any floor and scroll down to view the Specs on its product page.