NSF International on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010, announced from Ann Arbor, Mich., that its new draft standard for Commercial Furnishing Fabrics (NSF Draft Standard 336) is now open for public comment.

NSF Draft Standard 336 for Commercial Furnishing Fabrics provides pathways toward sustainability by establishing measurable criteria for multiple levels of achievement and performance. For example, the standard assesses a product's characteristics in the areas of material and component inputs, water and energy use, recycling practices, and social accountability.

The standard can be applied to fabrics used in upholstery, drapes, bedding, wall coverings and cubicle material. It was developed through a consensus process that included representatives from academia, the architecture and design community, product designers, end-users, regulatory agencies, federal and state government, certification bodies, environmental groups, non-governmental organizations, manufacturers and suppliers.

Interested parties are invited to review the standard and submit comment before Monday, March 29, 2010.

The Commercial Furnishing Fabrics standard is one of eight sustainability standards and certification programs that the group has developed. These standards provide manufacturers an independent, third-party means of demonstrating their commitment to the environment and avoiding accusations of 'green washing.'

To view the standard and submit a comment, visit http://standards.nsf.org/kwspub/home. Click on "Public Area," then "Ballots." Scroll down and click on "336 Commercial Furnishings Fabric Sustainability Assessment," and finally "336-r13e.pdf" to review the draft standard. A button on that site allows for comment submittal.