CRI MAKES SEAL OF APPROVAL
MORE CONSUMER FRIENDLY

DALTON, GA – The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) has expanded its Seal of Approval program to encourage carpet cleaning companies to provide a higher level of customer service and satisfaction.

The Seal of Approval program tests and certifies superior performing carpet cleaning solutions, vacuums, deep cleaning extractors and recognizes professional carpet cleaners that exclusively use Seal of Approval products which meet residential carpet warranties.

Companies certified as Seal of Approval Providers must continue to use cleaning products and equipment tested and certified under the program.  Additionally, the expanded program asks that companies agree to uphold certain principles of customer satisfaction and comply with a code of conduct.

"Carpet is comfortable and beautiful. But we know that consumers have questions about how to care for carpet over time. Choosing the wrong service provider can be a disaster, since a bad choice may result in poor carpet cleaning results or even damage to carpet fibers," said Werner Braun, CRI president.

"The Seal of Approval is designed to make carpet cleaning and maintenance easy by helping identify companies who use only superior performing products and equipment and are responsible for the workmanship of the services provided. As a result, customers can feel confident doing business with companies who have earned the Seal of Approval."

The Seal of Approval also aims to match the right cleaning methods with the right products and strongly recommends that participants are also certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restorative Certification (IICRC), an independent certification body that sets industry standards for firms and its employees.

CRI has also established a code of conduct requiring certified providers to uphold a high standard of accountability, responsibility and customer-oriented service. It also has provisions for carpet manufacturers and equipment and sundries manufacturers, including honoring warranties and providing product usage and cleaning and maintenance information for consumers.

The Seal of Approval program is celebrating its fifth year anniversary in 2009 and has grown to more than 186 participating manufacturers with 471 products certified and nearly 700 service providers.

The CRI is an industry source for science-based information and insight on how carpet and rugs create a better environment-for living, working, learning and healing.

05.19.09