Seal of Approval Program

Seal of Approval (SOA): The Carpet Industry’s Commitment to Effective Carpet Cleaning

The SOA program is the carpet industry’s only scientific program to test the effectiveness of carpet cleaning products and equipment. To achieve SOA certification, products go through rigorous laboratory testing to meet the high standards of the SOA program. The program helps consumers make informed decisions and helps manufacturers improve their products. The results are cleaner, healthier, and longer-lasting carpet. So be sure to check that your carpet is being cleaned with CRI Seal of Approval – certified products to get the most out of your carpet investment.

Carpet Cleaning Professionals

Not all carpet cleaning products clean equally well, and some may even damage carpet fibers. Carpet cleaning professionals who use Seal of Approval solutions in conjunction with Seal of Approval equipment are eligible to be recognized as a Seal of Approval Service Provider. Many major carpet manufacturers require or strongly recommend the use of Seal of Approval products.

Certifying a Product or Becoming a Service Provider

Applying to have your product certified or becoming a service provider under CRI’s Seal of Approval program is easy. Download the appropriate forms below, complete, sign, and submit the information to CRI.

* Notes

All invoices must be paid before testing can commence or recognition as a service provider is acknowledged.

Industry-wide Benefits

The positive effects of the SOA program can be seen at every level of the carpet industry.

Consumers: SOA helps consumers make better purchasing decisions by ensuring that the products they choose will work. Consumers get a healthier environment in which to live and work – and a maximum return on their carpet investment.

Carpet Cleaning Product Manufacturers: By using the test results to see product strengths and weaknesses, manufacturers get a better idea of the product and equipment features they need to improve. That leads to more effective products going to market. For their efforts, the manufacturers gain the added credibility of the Seal of Approval label on their products.

Carpet Cleaning Professionals: Cleaning professionals gain SOA certification when they use Seal of Approval products. The certification differentiates them from the competition. It also helps them do their jobs better, which means more satisfied customers and more repeat business.

Documents

Program Information

Seal of Approval Program Fee Schedule(227 KB)

Lists testing and renewal fees for CRI’s Seal of Approval program. Covers categories like spot cleaners, pet stain removers, pre-spray and in-tank solutions, vacuums, extractors, interim maintenance systems, and deep cleaning systems. Includes member vs. non-member pricing and private label fees.

Audiences: Manufacturers, Service Providers

Topics: Deep Cleaning Systems, Extractors, Interim Maintenance Systems, Solutions, Vacuums

Seal of Approval Program Manual(296 KB)

Comprehensive manual for CRI’s Seal of Approval program. Covers program purpose, eligibility, certification process, testing requirements, use of service and certification marks, confidentiality, and complaint/appeal procedures. Details product categories (solutions, vacuums, extractors, systems), test methods, periodic testing, and private labeling policies.

Audiences: Manufacturers, Private Labelers

Topics: Deep Cleaning Systems, Extractors, Interim Maintenance Systems, Solutions, Vacuums

SOA Program and Rotary Cleaning Systems(163 KB)

Announces that CRI’s Seal of Approval (SOA) program will no longer certify rotary cleaning systems or products. Existing certifications remain valid until expiration, but no new certifications or renewals will be issued. Rotary systems are defined as machines with spinning, orbiting, or oscillating heads that may void carpet warranties.

Audiences: Manufacturers

SOA Test Carpet Specifications(136 KB)

Lists specifications for carpets used in SOA testing: Residential Cut Pile, Commercial Cut Pile, and Loop Pile. All use nylon fiber with no stain/soil chemistry. Includes details like gauge, stitches per inch, tufted yarn weight, and pile height.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Solutions, Vacuums

Agreements

Seal of Approval Participation Agreement(220 KB)

Legal agreement outlining terms for participation in CRI’s Seal of Approval program. Covers participant duties, compliance with program requirements, use of service marks, confidentiality, termination rights, indemnification, and governing law. Includes obligations for tested and private label products.

Audiences: Manufacturers, Service Providers

Topics: Deep Cleaning Systems, Extractors, Interim Maintenance Systems, Solutions, Vacuums

Seal of Approval Private Label Certification and Service Mark Usage Agreement(299 KB)

Agreement governing private label certification and use of CRI’s Seal of Approval service mark. Details responsibilities of participants and private labelers, confidentiality terms, termination clauses, and indemnification. Ensures proper branding and compliance with CRI standards.

Audiences: Manufacturers, Private Labelers

Topics: Deep Cleaning Systems, Extractors, Interim Maintenance Systems, Solutions, Vacuums

Criteria

SOA Test Criteria for Extractors(157 KB)

Details Soil Removal, Surface Appearance, and Residual Moisture criteria for SOA certification: specifies units measured, test method, and certification level.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Extractors

SOA Test Criteria for Solutions(169 KB)

Details Optical Brightners, pH, Colorfastness, Cleaning Effectiveness, Rate of Resoil, and Odor criteria for SOA certification: specifies units measured and test method.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Solutions

SOA Test Criteria for Vacuums(156 KB)

Details Soil Removal, Surface Appearance Change, and Dust Containment criteria for SOA certification: specifies units measured, test method, and certification level.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Vacuums

Forms

Seal of Approval Participant Application(203 KB)

Application form for companies to participate in CRI’s Seal of Approval program. Collects company details, physical and billing addresses, contact roles, and parent company information. Required for certification and listing of cleaning products or equipment.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Deep Cleaning Systems, Extractors, Interim Maintenance Systems, Solutions, Vacuums

Seal of Approval Participant Information Update Form(98 KB)

Form for updating participant information in the Seal of Approval program. Used to report changes such as company name, address, legal status, product formulation, or key contacts. Requires date, signature, and description of changes.

Audiences: Manufacturers, Private Labelers

Topics: Deep Cleaning Systems, Extractors, Interim Maintenance Systems, Solutions, Vacuums

Seal of Approval Private Label Extractor Registration(203 KB)

Form for registering private label extractors for CRI’s Seal of Approval program. Requires certified product details, private labeler information, and extractor specifications (e.g., usage type, power type, airflow, tank sizes, pump pressure). Emphasizes that specs must match tested product for certification.

Audiences: Manufacturers, Private Labelers

Topics: Extractors

Seal of Approval Private Label Solution Registration(192 KB)

Form for registering private label cleaning solutions under CRI’s Seal of Approval program. Requires details of the certified product, private labeler company, and private label product (including dilution/application rates and cleaning instructions). Includes compliance note that product info must match label instructions for certification validity.

Audiences: Manufacturers, Private Labelers

Topics: Solutions

Seal of Approval Private Label Vacuum Registration(232 KB)

Registration form for private label vacuums under the Seal of Approval program. Collects certified product details, private labeler information, and specifications for the private label vacuum (e.g., model number, HEPA filtration, brush roll type, power type). Notes that specifications must match the tested product.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Vacuums

Seal of Approval Product Withdrawal Form(201 KB)

Form for withdrawing products from the Seal of Approval program. Options include withdrawing all products, all products in a category, or specific products. Requires effective date, product details, and company signature. Notes that all related private label certifications will also be withdrawn.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Deep Cleaning Systems, Extractors, Interim Maintenance Systems, Solutions, Vacuums

Seal of Approval Service Provider Registration(173 KB)

Application form for service providers to register under the SOA program. Collects company details, SOA-certified equipment and solutions used, and offers options to order marketing materials (decals, patches).

Audiences: Service Providers

Seal of Approval Tested Extractor Registration(246 KB)

Registration form for extractors to be tested under the SOA program. Requires product details (manufacturer, model, specs like airflow, pump pressure, tank sizes), attachments, and settings for testing. Notes CRI standard testing procedure (2 wet passes, 2 dry passes at 1 ft/sec).

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Extractors

Seal of Approval Tested Solution Registration(193 KB)

Form for registering cleaning solutions for SOA testing. Collects product details (manufacturer, solution type, dilution/application rates, cleaning instructions) and availability for consumer purchase. Notes compliance requirement that product info must match label instructions for certification validity.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Solutions

Seal of Approval Tested Vacuum Registration(241 KB)

Registration form for vacuums to be tested under the SOA program. Requires product details (manufacturer, model, vacuum type, HEPA filtration, brush roll features, power type, weight, cord length) and optional energy efficiency assessment. Notes CRI standard testing procedures and private label registration requirements.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Vacuums

Methods

CRI Test Method 119(601 KB)

Evaluates deep cleaning systems for soil removal, re-soiling, residual moisture, appearance change, colorfastness, pH (4–10), and absence of optical brighteners. Supports CRI SOA certification.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Deep Cleaning Systems

CRI Test Method 120(53 KB)

Uses XRF to measure soil removal effectiveness of cleaning chemicals, equipment, or systems. Tests five compounds applied via ASTM D6540. Reports percent removal and process details. Supports CRI SOA certification.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Deep Cleaning Systems

CRI Test Method 121(76 KB)

Lab method to measure surface appearance change in carpet after interim maintenance. Uses standardized carpet samples and CRI reference photos to rate texture changes like matting or fuzzing as better (+1), equal (0), or worse (-1). Reports include equipment, chemicals, and average ratings.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Interim Maintenance Systems

CRI Test Method 122(217 KB)

Evaluates interim carpet maintenance systems for visual improvement on soiled carpet. Uses AATCC Gray Scale and spectrophotometer to measure ΔE color change before and after cleaning. Reports include soil levels, ratings, and full process details.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Interim Maintenance Systems

SOA E-600 Test Method for Cleaning Effectiveness of Extractors(217 KB)

Defines the procedure for evaluating the cleaning effectiveness of extractors. Involves soiling the test carpet with X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) soiling compounds (e.g., Iron Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Strontium Carbonate, Yttrium Oxide, and Zirconium Boride), initial scanning of soiled carpet, cleaning carpet with extractor, final scan of cleaned carpet, followed by the evaluation and reporting.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Extractors

SOA E-601 Test Method for Surface Appearance Change of Extractors(139 KB)

Defines the procedure for evaluating the surface appearance change in carpet as a direct result of the extraction process. Involves conditioning the extractor, weighing sample, installing extractor on the conveyor, extraction cycles, conditioning test carpet and control carpet, followed by the evaluation and reporting.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Extractors

SOA E-602 Test Method for Residual Moisture of Extractors(135 KB)

Defines the procedure for evaluating the residual moisture in carpet as a direct result of the extraction process. Involves conditioning the extractor, weighing test carpet prior to testing, installing extractor on the conveyor, extraction cycles, followed by the evaluation and reporting.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Extractors

SOA S-100 Preparation of Solution and Test Method for pH and Optical Brightner(136 KB)

Outlines preparation of diluted cleaning solutions and verification of pH and optical brighteners. Includes steps for measuring pH with a calibrated meter and detecting optical brighteners using UV light on treated paper towels.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Solutions

SOA S-101 (CF) Colorfastness Test Method(134 KB)

Defines the procedure for evaluating carpet cleaning solutions for colorfastness under accelerated light exposure. Uses Xenon-Arc lamp, AATCC Gray Scale, and untreated control samples. Results are reported as Gray Scale grades after 40 fading units.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Solutions

SOA S-200 (CE) Test Method for Cleaning Effectiveness of Pre-spray and In-tank Solutions(191 KB)

Details the laboratory procedure for assessing cleaning effectiveness of pre-spray and in-tank solutions. Involves soiling carpet samples, applying solutions, extracting with water or solution, and grading results using AATCC Gray Scale. Final score is based on difference between solution-cleaned and water-only samples.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Solutions

SOA S-201 (RS) Test Method for Resoiling of Pre-spray and In-tank Solutions(163 KB)

Provides the procedure for evaluating resoiling characteristics of pre-spray and in-tank cleaning solutions. Includes solution application, extraction, drying, accelerated soiling, and grading with AATCC Gray Scale.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Solutions

SOA S-300 (CE) Test Method for Cleaning Effectiveness of Encapsulate Solutions(207 KB)

Defines the procedure for evaluating the cleaning effectiveness of encapsulate solutions on loop pile carpet. Involves soiling samples, applying solution, agitation with a counter-rotational brush, vacuuming, and grading results using AATCC Gray Scale. Final score is based on difference between solution-cleaned and water-only samples.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Solutions

SOA S-301 (RS) Test Method for Resoiling of Encapsulate Solutions(159 KB)

Details the method for assessing resoiling tendency of encapsulate cleaning solutions. After cleaning and drying, carpets are subjected to accelerated soiling in a Hexapod tester, then vacuumed and graded using AATCC Gray Scale for staining.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Solutions

SOA S-400 (CE) Test Method for the Evaluation of Cleaning Effectiveness of Spot Remover and Pet Stain & Odor Solutions(162 KB)

Defines the procedure for evaluating the cleaning effectiveness of spot remover and pet stain & odor solutions. Involves applying various staining agents (e.g., mustard, coffee, cat urine), cleaning with solution and water, and grading stain removal using AATCC Gray Scale. Final score is based on the difference between solution and water-only results.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Solutions

SOA S-401 (RS) Test Method for Resoiling of Spot Remover and Pet Stain & Odor Solutions(160 KB)

Provides the method for assessing resoiling tendency of spot remover and pet stain & odor solutions. After cleaning and drying, carpets are subjected to accelerated soiling in a Hexapod tester, then vacuumed and graded using AATCC Gray Scale for staining.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Solutions

SOA S-402 (O) Test Method for Evaluation of Odor Removal(130 KB)

Details the procedure for evaluating odor removal performance of pet stain & odor solutions. Uses cat urine as the odor source, applies solution vs. water, then seals samples in jars for heating and conditioning before odor evaluation by trained technicians.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Solutions

SOA V-500 Test Method for Cleaning Effectiveness of Vacuums(195 KB)

Defines the procedure for evaluating the cleaning effectiveness of vacuums. Involves soiling the test carpet with X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) soiling compounds (e.g., Iron Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Strontium Carbonate, Yttrium Oxide, and Zirconium Boride), initial scanning of soiled carpet, cleaning carpet with vacuum, final scan of cleaned carpet, followed by the evaluation and reporting.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Vacuums

SOA V-501 Test Method for Surface Appearance Change of Vacuums(153 KB)

Defines the procedure for evaluating the surface appearance change in carpet as a direct result of the vacuuming process. Involves conditioning the vacuum, installing vacuum on the conveyor, vacuuming, conditioning test carpet and control carpet, followed by the evaluation and reporting.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Vacuums

SOA V-502 Test Method for Dust Containment of Vacuums(160 KB)

Defines the procedure for evaluating the dust containment and measurement of respirable particulate generated from the use of a vacuum cleaner. Involves soiling the test carpet, conditioning the vacuum, cleaning the chamber, installing vacuum on conveyor, initiating real time aerosol monitor, energizing the room air purifier, de-energizing room air purifier, energizing vacuum and conveyor, de-energizing vacuum and conveyor, followed by the evaluation and reporting.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Vacuums

Technical Papers

SOA Program and Rotary Cleaning Systems(163 KB)

Audiences: Manufacturers

Fact Sheets

A Guide to CRI’s Seal of Approval Program(1.6 MB)

Explains CRI’s Seal of Approval program, which certifies carpet cleaning products and equipment for performance. Details testing criteria for solutions, vacuums, extractors, and systems. Describes rating levels (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze) and benefits for consumers and warranties.

Audiences: Architects, Builders, Commercial Customers, Consumers, Dealers, Designers, Facility Managers, Healthcare Administrators, Manufacturers, Private Labelers, Residential Customers, School Administrators

Topics: Cleaning, Maintenance

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