FloorScore vs GREENGUARD Gold: A Buyer’s Comparison
Both programmes address indoor chemical emissions, but their certification rules and listings are different. Select the evidence required by the market and project, then check the exact product covered.
Compare purpose, issuer and scope
| Question | FloorScore | UL GREENGUARD Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Who operates the certification? | SCS Global Services administers certification developed with the Resilient Floor Covering Institute. | UL Solutions operates the UL GREENGUARD programme. |
| What is the focus? | Indoor-air-quality emissions certification for covered flooring products and related categories. | Low chemical emissions, with Gold criteria addressing sensitive populations and relevant emissions requirements. |
| What should the buyer check? | Official listing, certificate holder, product names, scope and current status. | Official listing, product identity, certification level and current status. |
| What does it not establish? | Universal fire, slip, acoustic or all-market project compliance. | Universal fire, slip, acoustic or all-market project compliance. |
For Europe, start with the destination requirement
A French emissions label, a German evaluation requirement and a project sustainability brief are different requests. Identify the scheme, applicable product and evidence format before selecting a report or certificate.
Do not translate a FloorScore or GREENGUARD Gold listing into an automatic AgBB evaluation, French A+ classification, DIBt approval, LEED credit or BREEAM outcome. A building assessment may recognise particular evidence, but the project team must apply the actual scheme rules.
A certificate verification sequence
- Open the issuer’s recordUse an official certification directory or issuer contact rather than relying on a cropped certificate image.
- Match the productCheck construction, product family, listed trade names and any restrictions. A similar name or shared supplier is insufficient.
- Check the scope and statusRecord the holder, certificate identifier, validity/status and manufacturing/product coverage shown.
- Resolve branding responsibilityPrivate-label coverage requires the scheme’s proper process. Do not simply replace the holder’s name with the importer’s brand.
What to keep in the purchase file
- The project or market emissions requirement in its original wording.
- The current official certification record or relevant complete test report.
- The proposed SKU, construction and private-label identity.
- Any documented relationship between the listed product and the ordered product.
- Separate fire, slip, acoustic and other project documents where required.
Questions buyers ask
Are the two certifications identical?
No. They can address overlapping emissions objectives, but use different certification programmes. Read the project’s accepted evidence and each listing’s scope.
Does a certificate cover every product from the factory?
Only the products and scope identified by the programme. A change of construction or branding needs a coverage check.
Does Ecoflors claim either certificate for every range?
Certification is presented for the applicable product and scope. Send the required scheme and proposed build so the relevant evidence can be matched before an order.
Related buyer resources
Sources and further reading
Send the build and destination
Tell us the construction, wear layer, size, quantity per colour, destination and required documents. This gives the quotation a clear product and delivery basis.