VANCOUVER, Wash. (April 17, 2006) - The Institute for Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) today announced that the IICRC S500 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration received acceptance by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

The completion of the S500 marks the first ANSI accredited standard in the cleaning and restoration industry.

"We are pleased to complete this part of the process. It wasn't always easy, but the benefit of increasing the credibility and integrity of the cleaning and restoration industry makes it well worth it in the end," said Carey Vermeulen, president of the IICRC.

With this action by ANSI and the completion of all voting and editing, the IICRC plans to rush the document to its headquarters in Vancouver, Wash. for final printing and distribution in May.

After becoming an accredited ANSI organization in September of 2005, the IICRC spent the next months revising the S500 to prepare it for ANSI approval. The IICRC S520 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation is undergoing edits and should be submitted to ANSI later this year.

ANSI accredits organizations and their principles and practices across all industries to enhance both the global competitiveness of U.S. business and the U.S. quality of life. Member organizations include educational institutions, companies, professional associations, and government members.