Crib and sleep products from children's furniture manufacturer Community Playthings become first in their category to obtain indoor air quality certification from SCS Global Services

Aimee Bellah

EMERYVILLE, California , July 1, 2014 (press release) – Community Playthings, manufacturer of children's furniture, and SCS Global Services (SCS), a leader in third-party environmental and sustainability certification, announced the first children's sleep products to be certified to SCS Indoor Advantage™ Gold, the strictest indoor air quality (IAQ) emissions standard in the country. Certified products include cribs, crib mattresses, cots, and nap mats.

"Parents are increasingly aware of the chemical hazards of everyday items and need to feel confident that their children are in a safe and healthy setting," said Dana Wiser, Design Manager at Community Playthings. "Our green chemistry policy goes beyond mere regulation to ensure that our products contain no compounds we believe to be unhealthy for your children or the environment. SCS Indoor Advantage Gold certification confirms that policy."

To become certified Indoor Advantage Gold, products must be independently tested for Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions by SCS-approved labs following specific testing protocols (Standard Test Method for Determining VOC Emissions from Office Furniture Systems, Components and Seating -- ANSI/BIFMA M7.1-2011). VOCs are hazardous chemicals, such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and benzene that easily evaporate to become vapors or gasses in the surrounding air. Commonly found in composite wood panels, varnishes, and solvents, VOCs have been linked to serious health consequences including asthma, allergies and long-term damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system.

Indoor Advantage Gold certification meets the strictest emission standards for furniture developed by both the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (ANSI/BIFMA e.3-2014, ANSI/BIFMA X7.1) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH/EHLB Standard Method V1-1). To qualify for Indoor Advantage Gold in the children's furniture category, the lab results were modeled using modified modeling parameters for a Nursery Room setting based on the Standard for Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality, AHSRAE 62.1 -2010. The modified parameters were developed in collaboration with Community Playthings based on typical furniture installations in nursery room environments.

In addition to these newest certifications for sleep systems, more than 300 other Community Playthings products are certified to the Indoor Advantage Gold standard, including shelving, tables, and chairs. All of the products containing wood material have also achieved Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification from SCS, indicating that wood has been harvested from well-managed forests.

"SCS has been certifying Community Playthings furniture to our Indoor Advantage Gold program since 2008," said Stanley Mathurum, Managing Director of Environmental Certification Services at SCS. "The company has taken great strides in producing products that don't contribute to poor indoor air quality, which is particularly important as children are amongst the most sensitive population to chemicals in the air."

About Community Playthings
Community Playthings is one of the oldest existing providers for early childhood education programs. For over 65 years they have been collaborating with early childhood leaders to foster play and learning through quality play equipment and furniture.

About SCS Global Services
SCS Global Services has been providing global leadership in third-party environmental and sustainability certification, auditing, testing, and standards development for three decades. Programs span a cross section of industries, recognizing achievements in green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, and more. Now in its 30th year, SCS is a Certified B Corporation™, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practice.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Media Contact:

Lawrence Nussbaum
lnussbaum@scsglobalservices.com
510.452.6821

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