DALLAS - Mohawk, Columbia Flooring and Century Flooring have earned both Phase 1 and the more-stringent Phase 2 certifications from the California Air Resource Board (CARB) for their engineered hardwood flooring products. The brands appear to be the first in the industry to achieve both levels of certification from the government agency.
"By earning Phase 2 certification already, these brands have positioned themselves as industry leaders-becoming Phase 2 compliant almost one year before the agency's January 1, 2010-mandated deadline for full compliance," says Dewevai Buchanan, vice president of hardwood flooring for Unilin Flooring NC LLC, a Mohawk Industries company. Engineered hardwood for all three brands is manufactured by Mohawk Industries.
"Distributors and retailers carrying Mohawk, Columbia Flooring and Century Flooring engineered hardwood products will have full confidence they are offering their customers flooring that meets strict formaldehyde emissions standards that many other brands do not meet, especially imported products," adds Buchanan. (All three brands' products manufactured after January 1, 2009 are fully compliant, however, CARB regulations allow for an 18-month sell-through provision period to deplete any non-compliant finished goods inventory produced prior to January 1, 2009.)
The key factor empowering these three brands to lead in this environmentally responsible issue is Mohawk Industries' use of the patented PureBond® formaldehyde-free engineered flooring technology. PureBond is a new innovation replacing urea formaldehyde traditionally used in hardwood plywood construction.
"Although California is currently the only state to formally adopt such stringent formaldehyde emissions standards for composite wood products, several other states and the Environmental Protection Agency are considering similar measures as well," says Buchanan. "Because Mohawk, Columbia Flooring and Century Flooring have achieved both Phase 1 and Phase 2 compliance, these brands are better prepared for any new regulations that may take effect nationwide."
About California Air Resource Board (CARB)
The California Air Resource Board (CARB), a division of the California EPA, is responsible for improving air quality in California by establishing limits for air contaminants, such as formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products.
About Mohawk
Mohawk is a leading supplier of flooring for both residential and commercial applications. Mohawk offers a complete selection of carpet, ceramic tile, laminate, hardwood, stone, vinyl, rugs, and other home products. For more information, visit www.mohawkind.com.
About Columbia Flooring
Columbia Flooring is a domestic manufacturer of solid and engineered hardwood and laminate flooring. Columbia Flooring's product range is 100 percent U. S. made with wood harvested from local and regional forests and is sold through independent distributors. For more information, visit www.columbiaflooring.com.
About Century Flooring
Century Flooring is a domestic manufacturer of solid and engineered hardwood flooring. Century Flooring's product range is 100 percent U. S. made with wood harvested from local and regional forests and is sold through independent wood distributor specialists. For more information, visit www.centuryflooring.com.
