Association for Contract Textiles – “Facts” EcoLabel
Certification to the Association for Contract Textiles “Facts” program enhances the market value of your sustainable fabrics used in commercial furniture and furnishing applications. The Facts ecolabel assures specifiers that your contract textiles conform to the multi-attribute NSF/ANSI 336 standard, and signals your commitment to social and environmental excellence – Sustainable Fabric Certification.
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EnviroLink’s expertise across sustainable textile supply chains ensures that your NSF/ANSI 336 certification assessment is performed credibly and efficiently. In addition to our accreditation by Association for Contract Textiles, we helped develop the Textile Exchange’s Global Recycled Standard, and established the EnviroLink Certified Responsible Source™ program for synthetic polymer and fiber textile inputs. Specifying materials from Responsible Source™ certified suppliers pre-qualifies you for credit under the NSF/ANSI 336 standard – Sustainable Fabric Certification.
Program Details - - Sustainable Fabric Certification.
- Eligibility : A variety of fabrics can be assessed against NSF/ANSI 336, including woven, non-woven, bonded and knitted fabrics used for upholstery (e.g. office and hotel furniture), as well as vertical fabrics (e.g. drapery, panel system fabrics) and decorative top-of-bed applications (e.g. bedspreads) that are commonly used in institutional, hospitality and office settings.
- Certification Criteria : Facts certification under NSF/ANSI 336 requires third-party evaluation of conformity to criteria under eight specific categories. Half of the evaluation focuses on fiber composition, and the other half addresses fabric manufacturing:
- Fiber Composition : Fiber sourcing (20%) Material safety (30%)
- Fiber Manufacturing : Water conservation and quality (12%) Energy (12%) Recycling practices (12%) Social accountability (12%) Air quality (2%)
- Certification Tiers : Once a textile meets all NSF/ANSI 336 prerequisites, certification is awarded upon one of four levels depending on the total points earned: Compliant (16 - 36 points) Silver (37 - 57 points) Gold (58 - 78 points) Platinum (79 -100 points)
- Complementary Services : enviro link offers additional multi-attribute green building certification programs, including BIFMA level® for furniture, enviro LINK Certified Responsible Source™ for synthetic polymer and fiber textile inputs, and enviro LINK Certified Recycled Content.
Process - - Sustainable Fabric Certification
- Apply for Certification : Apply for Certification Complete and submit an enviro LINK Application Form. enviro LINK scopes the project based on information provided in the application and prepares a proposal for your approval with suggested timeline and quote. Once you approve the proposal and sign a Work Order, an account manager is assigned to guide you through the certification process.
- Data Collection : A enviro LINK technical associate helps you assemble preliminary data. enviro LINK reviews the product data, corporate documentation, manufacturing process, product formulation, testing, etc., and assesses your readiness for an audit. Once sufficient data is collected, an auditor is assigned.
- On-site Audit : The auditor conducts an on-site audit to evaluate your data. The auditor interacts with your technical staff to clarify and obtain any additional information that might prove essential to reaching an accurate supportable evaluation.
- Draft Assessment Report : The auditor writes a draft assessment report that details the findings of the audit, including data analysis, non-conformities, and opportunities for improvement.
- Internal peer review : A second qualified enviro LINK auditor reviews the report, making any necessary corrections or changes before the report is sent to the client.
- Corrective Actions : You respond to any non-conformities with a corrective action plan, and may also make comments and responses to the information contained in the report and the conclusions drawn by the auditor.
- Certification Decision : enviro LINK conducts a final technical review of the assessment report and makes the final certification decision. If certification is granted, enviro LINK issues the certificate and final report to your facility or operation. Once certified, your company is listed in the Green Products Guide on the enviro LINK website.
- Certification Maintenance and Renewal : Product certificates are valid for 5 years and periodic reviews must be conducted to maintain your certification and support continuous improvement.
Benefits
- Facts certification under the NSF/ANSI 336 sustainabilty standard: Supports your internal sustainable management objectives Assures customers and stakeholders that your certified products are held to industry-leading social and environmental standards Helps you meet state and federal procurement requirements Establishes a path for continuous improvement
- Reinforce your brand by using the Facts certification mark for on-product and off-product labelling applications - Sustainable Fabric Certification.