The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) has initiated a voluntary Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Vacuum Cleaner Testing Program. CRI’s label will be attached to vacuum cleaners (both residential and commercial) that meet the carpet manufacturing industry’s performance standard for positive contributions to IAQ and carpet care methods.

Vacuum cleaners displaying the new label will be available in early 2000, the CRI says.

The new program identifies vacuum cleaners that must perform each of three tasks well: soil removal, dust containment, and carpet appearance. An independent testing laboratory will evaluate vacuum cleaners.