RFCI Introduces Industry-Wide Standards fro Rigid Core LVT Quality: ASSURED CERTIFIED

FLOOR ED

RFCI Introduces Industry-Wide Standards for Rigid Core LVT Quality: ASSURE CERTIFIED ™

The Resilient Floor Covering Institute and SCS Global Services announced a new program to ensure the continued growth and popularity of Rigid Core Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) marketed and sold in North America. The program is called ASSURE CERTIFIED ™ .

“As part of our mission to support the interest of resilient flooring, RFCI and member manufacturers determined there was an urgent need to establish industry-wide standards for Rigid Core LVT quality, no matter where it’s made,” explained Dean Thompson, president and CEO of RFCI.

Rigid Core LVT is the fastest growing resilient flooring category. It has evolved quickly from an innovative “multilayer” resilient concept — first as expanded polymer core (also called WPC), and quickly adding solid polymer core (SPC) — to a very popular, resilient waterproof flooring solution offered by many brands. ASSURE CERTIFIED ™ flooring will be positioned as “Smart. Durable. Responsible.”

SCS Global Services (SCS), an international leader in third-party certification and standards development, will provide certification services and direct the testing protocol.

This includes an assessment of the manufacturing quality control procedure for material suppliers, product traceability, chain of custody, internal QC testing and segregation of non-conforming products and materials. It also includes an on-site manufacturing facility audit, as well as performance testing in compliance with the rigid core ASTM standard, testing for heavy metals and ortho-phthalates content, and FloorScore ® testing for indoor air quality. (FloorScore ® , another RFCI program managed by SCS Global Services, is the industry’s most widely recognized indoor air quality (IAQ) certification standard for hard surface flooring materials, adhesives, and underlayments.)

Rigid Core LVT is the fastest growing resilient flooring category. It has evolved quickly from an innovative “multilayer” resilient concept . . . to a very popular, resilient waterproof flooring solution offered by many brands.

SCS Global Services (SCS), an international leader in third-party certification and standards development, will provide certification services and direct the testing protocol.

“The standards for the ASSURE CERTIFIED ™ program will be the best protection and quality assurance for all Rigid Core manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, retailers and, of course, consumers and end users,” said Thompson.

“Flooring customers are very informed and engaged in choosing safe, high performance flooring for their homes, offices, and other indoor uses,” said Nicole Muñoz, vice president of Environmental Certification Services at SCS. “ASSURE CERTIFIED ™ is a timely label for this rapidly developing flooring category.”

Information about ASSURE CERTIFIED ™ is available on the RFCI.com site and the SCSGlobalServices.com site. Rigid Core manufacturers can contact SCS Global Services directly to start their certification process now. ❚

COMPOSITION

There are two Rigid Core product constructions, Expanded Polymer Core (WPC) and Solid Polymer Core (SPC).

● WPC features an expanded polymer core that is light in weight and provides underfoot comfort with excellent acoustical qualities. ● WPC’s thicker construction provides the ability for creating realistic textures. ● WPC is most often used is residential applications although these products generally include a light to medium traffic commercial warranty.

● SPC is made with a solid polymer core, which makes it denser, providing additional benefits due to its hardness. ● SPC products have greater resistance to indentations, improved dimensional stability, and superior temperature stability. ● Both WPC and SPC constructions feature rigid cores that are waterproof. ● A pre-attached cork or other acoustical underlayment is often applied to provide added warmth and sound absorption as well as reduced subfloor preparation. ● Both WPC and SPC are offered in a variety of wear layers. The application and related wear layer, and the budget are determining factors for choosing WPC or SPC. ● SPC products are generally more suitable for high-performing commercial uses.

An entirely new class of stepped-up LVT products referred to as Rigid Core or Multilayer flooring has emerged which adds features and benefits to the many design and performance benefits of flexible vinyl LVT products. Rigid Core/Multilayer flooring is defined as modular flooring with a rigid polymeric core, a decorative top surface and an optional soft underlayment pre-attached to the bottom of the product. Rigid Core products are produced in many realistic visuals and in tile and plank formats. Look for the ASSURE CERTIFIED™ badge for smart, durable and responsibly made Rigid Core flooring.