About The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute:
The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) is an industry-independent, non-profit organization that oversees the GREENGUARD Certification Program. As an ANSI Authorized Standards Developer, GEI establishes acceptable indoor air standards for indoor products, environments, and buildings. GEI's mission is to improve public health and quality of life through programs that improve indoor air.
The GREENGUARD Certification Program is an industry-independent, third-party testing program for low- emitting products and materials. The first GREENGUARD Certification was awarded in the fall of 2002. In 2005, GEI announced the GREENGUARD Children & Schools standard, which evaluates the sensitive nature of school populations combined with the unique building characteristics found in schools, and presents the most rigorous product emissions criteria to date. To date, more than 170 manufacturers across various industries offer GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified® products, which are regularly tested to ensure that their chemical and particle emissions meet acceptable IAQ pollutant guidelines and standards.
About the Scientific Certification Systems (SCS):
SCS is a global leader in independent certification of environmental, sustainability, food quality and food purity claims. Over two decades, SCS has developed internationally recognized standards and certification programs aimed at spurring the highest level of environmental improvements, social accountability and product performance. The SCS Indoor Advantage certification program, developed by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), certifies compliance with rigorous indoor air quality emission requirements. The program is designed for interior building materials, furnishings and finish systems.
The VOC criteria for the Indoor Advantage certification are based on emission criteria established in the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer's Association (BIFMA) Standard for Low-Emitting Office Furniture Systems and Seating (ANSI/BIFMA X7.1) and the US Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design criteria EQ4.5 (furniture and seating).