GUT Product testing
for textile floor coverings:
Pollutants, Emissions, Odours.
Pollutants
Using traditional chemical analysis together with more rapid modern tests, both the raw materials and the finished product are checked for a wide range of harmful substances. These include heavy metals, softeners, biocides, pesticides, POPs (persistent organic pollutants) as well as the REACH SVHC’s (substances of very high concern).
Emissions
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) are often emitted into indoor air by new building products, therefore affecting Indoor Air Quality, however they can easily be identified and measured using a test chamber and must conform to European Standards. Textile floor coverings are tested according to the current DIN EN16516 standard which in turn is based on pan- European LCI values for health in relation to VOC emissions.
Odours
Even if all VOC limits are met for a specific product and it is classified as having very low emission levels, there may still be traces of various substances which can cause unpleasant odours.
The GUT sensory odour test is the only test which also identifies those elements.
- POP - Persistent Organic Pollutants (organic compounds with a long life)
- REACH - Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals
- SVHC - Substances of Very High Concern
- VOC - Volatile Organic Substances
- AgBB - Committee for the Health Evaluation of Building Materials in Germany.
- LCI - Lowest Concentration of Interest
Further information on abbreviations can also be found in our list of abbreviations.