VOC Certifications Explained FloorScore · GREENGUARD · CA 01350 · LEED Compliance
VOC certifications verify that a rigid core LVT product meets defined indoor air quality emission limits for volatile organic compounds — gases emitted from materials that can affect indoor air quality. The certification reflects measured emission rates from the product as manufactured, tested under controlled chamber conditions. Multiple programs exist with different scopes and thresholds, and the certificate on a spec sheet only applies to the exact product configuration that was tested. Reference-only: no product recommendations.
FloorScore and GREENGUARD Gold are the two most common VOC certifications for LVT in North America. Both test against California Section 01350 emission limits and are accepted by LEED. A certificate applies only to the specific product tested — verify coverage matches your exact product variant. Certification does not guarantee absence of odor and does not eliminate standard ventilation requirements during installation.
Common Certification Programs
FloorScore (RFCI / SCS Global Services)
FloorScore is the primary VOC certification program for hard surface flooring in North America. It is co-owned by the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) and administered by SCS Global Services. The program tests against California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Standard Method V1.2, also known as Section 01350 — which sets emission limits for a broad list of individual VOCs measured under standardized chamber conditions after a defined conditioning period. FloorScore is directly recognized by the US Green Building Council's LEED rating system as a compliant low-emitting material certification, making it the most practically useful certification for commercial project submittals in North America. The certificate lists specific product families; products outside the listed scope are not covered.
GREENGUARD and GREENGUARD Gold (UL)
GREENGUARD is a product certification program administered by UL that covers a wide range of building materials and products. Standard GREENGUARD certification tests to UL's own emission database limits. GREENGUARD Gold (formerly called Children & Schools) applies stricter emission limits designed for environments with children and sensitive populations — hospitals, schools, and similar facilities. GREENGUARD Gold is recognized by LEED for low-emitting material credits and is commonly specified in institutional projects. Because GREENGUARD covers many product types, it is not flooring-specific like FloorScore; however, both programs are widely accepted and use comparable underlying California Section 01350 thresholds for flooring products.
California Section 01350 / CARB Phase II
California Section 01350 (officially the CDPH Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of VOC Emissions from Indoor Sources) sets chemical-specific emission limits that are the underlying basis for both FloorScore and GREENGUARD testing. Products sold in California for commercial use in sensitive occupancies — schools, healthcare facilities — must meet these standards. CARB Phase II refers specifically to California Air Resources Board regulations controlling formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products; while LVT does not typically use composite wood, CARB Phase II is referenced broadly in environmental certifications and may apply to products with wood-based backing elements. Understanding the specific standard a certificate references is essential for verifying compliance with project requirements.
| Program | Administered By | Test Standard | LEED Recognized |
|---|---|---|---|
| FloorScore | SCS Global Services / RFCI | CDPH / CA Section 01350 | Yes |
| GREENGUARD | UL | UL 2818 / CA 01350 | Yes (standard) |
| GREENGUARD Gold | UL | UL 2818 stricter thresholds | Yes (preferred) |
| CA Section 01350 | CDPH | CDPH Standard Method V1.2 | Basis for above programs |
What VOC Testing Measures
VOC testing measures emissions from a product sample placed in a controlled environmental chamber — a defined room size, air exchange rate, temperature, and humidity — after a specified conditioning period. The air from the chamber is sampled and analyzed for specific compounds including formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, toluene, styrene, benzene, and dozens of other listed chemicals. Emission rates are calculated as micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³) in the modeled room concentration. Each certified compound must be below the program's listed limit. Because the test uses a standardized room model, results can be compared across products certified under the same program, though different programs use slightly different models, making cross-program comparisons less straightforward.
Spec Sheet Checklist
- Identify which certification program is listed (FloorScore, GREENGUARD, GREENGUARD Gold) and confirm it satisfies the project specification's requirement.
- Check the certificate's listed product scope — verify the specific product thickness, wear layer, and backing configuration you are using falls within the certified scope.
- Confirm the certificate's expiration or renewal date — outdated certificates may not reflect current formulations and may not be accepted on submittals.
- Note whether the certificate covers the full product (all layers) or only specific components — some manufacturers certify only the wear layer or print film.
- Retain certificate documentation for project submittals; LEED and similar programs require certificates to be included in material submittals for credit compliance.
FAQ
Does VOC certification mean no odor? ⌄
Not necessarily. Certification verifies emissions are below defined thresholds, but odor can arise from compounds at concentrations below certification limits. Some compounds have very low odor detection thresholds — a product can pass FloorScore limits and still have a detectable smell during initial off-gassing after installation. Off-gassing odors typically dissipate within 24–72 hours with adequate ventilation.
Are VOC certifications required for residential installs? ⌄
VOC certifications are generally not required by building code for residential installations. They are frequently required by commercial project specifications, institutional purchasers, and green building rating systems. California residents may encounter CA 01350 compliance requirements, which are enforced at the state level for certain occupancy types. Many manufacturers seek FloorScore or GREENGUARD Gold certification regardless to facilitate both residential and commercial sales.
What is the difference between FloorScore and GREENGUARD? ⌄
FloorScore is flooring-specific, administered by RFCI and SCS Global Services, and tests directly against California Section 01350 limits. GREENGUARD is a broader UL program covering many product categories. Both are LEED-recognized; GREENGUARD Gold applies stricter limits for sensitive occupancies. The underlying California 01350 standard is common to both for flooring products, so the practical difference is primarily in program administration and certificate format.
Does a VOC certificate apply to all products in a line? ⌄
Not always. Certificates are issued for specific products tested under specific conditions. When a manufacturer offers multiple thicknesses or backing configurations, the certificate may cover only a defined scope. Verify the certificate's listed product coverage matches your exact product variant. Request updated documentation when product formulations change, since a new formulation requires new testing to maintain certification status.
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Reference-Only Information
This page provides general informational reference about VOC certifications for rigid core LVT. It does not provide installation guidance, professional advice, or product recommendations.