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The right cleaning equipment can help keep the carpet in your facility or home looking its best. High-performance vacuum cleaners have a significant impact on improved indoor air quality (IAQ). Vacuums that effectively remove and contain soil while keeping the carpet looking good will help carpet last longer and ensure a healthier indoor environment. To identify superior performing cleaning equipment, CRI has developed the Seal of Approval (SOA) program for vacuums. The SOA program was launched in 2004 to test cleaning solutions and other carpet cleaning equipment. CRI uses scientifically developed cleaning methods to identify which vacuums work best.
The SOA program tests the following types of vacuums:

  • Backpack
  • Canister
  • Rider
  • Upright
  • Wide Area

The SOA program tests vacuums for the following applications:

  • Commercial Carpet Use
  • Residential Carpet Use

SOA Innovative Soil Removal Testing

CRI worked with an independent laboratory to develop a testing method that uses NASA-enhanced x-ray fluorescence (XRF) technology to measure the precise amount of soil removed from the carpet. To test for soil removal performance, the method uses five compounds that have properties similar to soil found in carpet across the United States. X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) is used to detect elements of each compound used to soil a control carpet, then to determine their concentrations after cleaning.

Test Criteria

To earn the Seal of Approval certification, vacuums are tested on the following criteria:

  • Cleaning Effectiveness – ensures that the equipment meets SOA criteria for removing soil
  • Surface Appearance Change – ensures that the equipment meets SOA criteria for surface appearance verifying that carpet is not damaged from the use of the vacuums
  • Dust Containment – ensures that the vacuum meets SOA criteria for minimizing dust particles released into the air

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 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 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 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 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

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

Vacuum Certifications

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Certification Count: 161