Eco Label Guide for Interior Products – Goodrich Global

An eco label guide for interior products helps designers, specifiers, and homeowners navigate the growing number of environmental certifications attached to flooring, wallcovering, fabric, and carpet. With dozens of labels in circulation — some rigorous, others less so — understanding what each certification actually verifies is essential to making genuinely sustainable material choices.

Why Eco Labels Matter in Interior Specification

Environmental claims on interior products have multiplied rapidly. Terms such as “eco-friendly,” “green,” and “sustainable” appear on packaging and marketing materials with increasing frequency, but these terms carry no standardised definition and no independent verification.

Eco labels issued by accredited third-party organisations solve this problem. They verify specific environmental claims through independent testing and auditing, giving specifiers confidence that a product genuinely meets defined sustainability criteria. For projects targeting green building certifications such as BCA Green Mark or LEED, recognised eco labels provide the documented evidence required to earn credits.

In Singapore’s interior design market, where products are sourced from manufacturers across Asia, Europe, and beyond, eco labels serve as a common language for comparing environmental performance across different brands and regions.

Key Eco Labels for Flooring Products

Flooring is typically the largest material area in any fit-out, making its environmental credentials particularly impactful.

FloorScore

FloorScore certifies that hard surface flooring and flooring adhesives meet strict indoor air quality emission standards. Products are tested for VOC emissions including formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and total VOCs. FloorScore is recognised by LEED, WELL, and multiple green building rating systems. When specifying luxury vinyl tile, FloorScore certification provides assurance of low-emission performance.

Singapore Green Label

The Singapore Green Label Scheme (SGLS), administered by the Singapore Environment Council, certifies products that meet environmental standards across their life cycle. Flooring products certified under SGLS have been assessed for raw material sourcing, manufacturing processes, and emissions. This label is particularly relevant for projects in Singapore seeking local certification recognition.

Cradle to Cradle (C2C)

Cradle to Cradle certification evaluates products across five categories: material health, material reutilisation, renewable energy and carbon management, water stewardship, and social fairness. Certified at Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum levels, C2C is among the most comprehensive eco labels available. Several carpet tile and vinyl flooring manufacturers hold C2C certification for their products.

NSF/ANSI 332

This standard specifically addresses the sustainability of resilient floor coverings. It evaluates environmental and social performance across the product life cycle, including raw material extraction, manufacturing, use, and end-of-life management. Products meeting this standard have been assessed for recyclability, recycled content, and responsible manufacturing practices.

Key Eco Labels for Wallcovering

Wallcovering eco labels address both the raw materials used and the emissions from the finished product.

FSC Certification

Paper-based wallcoverings that carry Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification use substrates sourced from responsibly managed forests. FSC certification covers the full chain of custody from forest to finished product, providing verified traceability.

RAL-UZ (Blue Angel)

Germany’s Blue Angel label is one of the oldest and most respected eco labels globally. For wallcovering, it certifies low emissions, responsible raw material sourcing, and recyclability. Many European wallcovering manufacturers — including brands available through Goodrich Global — hold Blue Angel certification for their product ranges.

Indoor Air Comfort Gold

Issued by Eurofins, this label certifies that a product meets the strictest VOC emission limits in the European regulatory landscape. It tests for formaldehyde, total VOCs, and specific individual compounds. Products carrying this label have been independently verified to support good indoor air quality.

Key Eco Labels for Fabric and Textile Products

Upholstery and drapery fabrics carry their own set of environmental certifications that address fibre sourcing, chemical content, and manufacturing impact.

OEKO-TEX Standard 100

This widely recognised certification tests textiles for harmful substances at every stage of production — from raw fibres to finished fabric. Products certified to OEKO-TEX Standard 100 have been verified to be free from harmful levels of chemicals including formaldehyde, heavy metals, pesticides, and allergenic dyes. It is one of the most commonly encountered eco labels on interior fabrics.

Global Recycled Standard (GRS)

The GRS certifies products that contain recycled materials, verifying the recycled content and tracking it through the supply chain. Polyester fabrics made from recycled PET bottles frequently carry GRS certification, confirming the recycled content claim. This label supports circular economy objectives and is recognised by green building rating systems.

EU Ecolabel for Textiles

The EU Ecolabel for textiles assesses the environmental impact throughout the product life cycle, from fibre production through manufacturing to end-of-life. It limits the use of harmful substances, requires reduced water and energy consumption in manufacturing, and sets durability standards that extend product life.

Key Eco Labels for Carpet

Carpet products, particularly commercial carpet tiles, are among the most widely eco-labelled interior products.

Green Label Plus

Administered by the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), Green Label Plus certifies that carpet and carpet cushion products meet stringent indoor air quality requirements. It tests for total VOCs and specific chemical emissions. Green Label Plus is recognised by LEED, WELL, and other green building rating systems.

Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)

An EPD is not a certification of environmental quality but rather a transparent, verified report of a product’s environmental impact across its life cycle. Based on life-cycle assessment (LCA) data, EPDs enable direct comparison between products. An increasing number of carpet manufacturers publish EPDs for their product ranges, providing specifiers with the data needed for informed decisions.

How to Use Eco Labels in Practice

Understanding eco labels is the first step; applying them effectively in specification requires a practical approach.

• Match labels to project goals: Identify which green building credits or sustainability targets the project is pursuing, then select products with labels that contribute to those specific goals.
• Verify current certification: Eco label certifications have validity periods. Confirm that the product’s certification is current by checking the issuing body’s public database.
• Look beyond the label: An eco label certifies specific attributes — emissions, recycled content, or sustainable sourcing — not overall environmental virtue. A FloorScore-certified product has verified low emissions but may or may not contain recycled content. Understand what each label covers.
• Request documentation: For green building submissions, you will need certification documents, test reports, or EPDs. Request these from the manufacturer or distributor at the specification stage, not after installation.

Final Thoughts

Eco labels transform vague environmental claims into verified, comparable facts. By understanding what each label certifies and how it applies to interior products, designers and specifiers can make material choices that genuinely advance sustainability — with the documentation to prove it.

Request free samples from our Singapore showroom and ask about eco label certifications for specific products.