Labels for flooring and cabinets, Consumer Reports greener kitchens guide

In this report: Overview; Refrigerators; Dishwashers; Ranges and cooktops; Countertops; Cabinets; Flooring; Labels for flooring and cabinets; Lighting; Paint

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Your new kitchen

Labels for flooring and cabinets

Last reviewed: June 2011

	Forest Stewardship Council	Sustainable Forestry Initiative
Labels	FSC pure or 100% 100% of product comes from FSC certified forests. FSC-mixed Certified wood or fiber from "well-managed forests" and post-consumer recycled material totaling 70% of product. "Well-managed forests" determined by FSC FSC-recycled 85% to 100% post-consumer recycled content. Third-party certifiers	SFI certified forest content From specific forests that are third-party certified to conform to SFI. Company must communicate the actual percentage or amount of certified raw material used in each production batch. Label may also say % of recycled content. Average percentage labels means production batch has at least 10% certified forest content. Volume credit label means percentage of certified forest content in manufacturing facility over the course of a year. SFI certified fiber sourcing Noncertified forest fiber is from a "responsible" source determined by SFI. Third-party certifiers.
Pesticides	Allows no use of the most toxic pesticides as defined by the World Health Organization; persistent, toxic, or whose derivatives remain biologically active and accumulate in the food chain beyond their intended use; or any pesticides banned by international agreement. Others allowed but with "minimal" health and environmental impact. No further definition.	Use of forest chemicals such as herbicides "minimally," but there are no specific limitations
Clear-cutting allowed	No quantitative standards (The rate of harvest of forest products shall not exceed levels that can be permanently sustained.)	Yes, up to 120 acres
Genetically Modified Organisms allowed	No	Yes
Workers	The rights of workers to organize and voluntarily negotiate with their employers shall be guaranteed.	Forestry enterprises will respect the rights of workers and labor representatives in a manner that encompasses the intent of the ILO core conventions.
Board	Three chamber board of directors representing environmental, social, and economic interests. This is not an independent label.	Three chamber board of directors representing environmental, social, and economic interests. This is not an independent label.
Pressed Wood	Does certify pressed woods, doesn't consider manufacturing (i.e. use of formaldehyde glues or resins). At least 85% post consumer to receive a label. Maximum 15% preconsumer to receive a label.	Does certify pressed woods, doesn't consider manufacturing (i.e. use of formaldehyde glues or resins). No minimum % recycled content requirement, but all labels using the recycled Mobius loop must state the percentage of post-consumer recycled content in the product.