GREENGUARD Expands Presence in Global and North American Consumer Marketplace

Targets new parent market segment by exhibiting at two key children's product expositions—one in Germany and one in the U.S.

ATLANTA, Sept. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As part of its efforts to grow consumer awareness of GREENGUARD Certification and the health importance of low-emitting children's furniture, the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute will exhibit at two major industry trade shows this month: Kind + Jugend in Cologne, Germany and the ABC Kids Expo in Louisville, Ky. Both shows are highly influential and promise great exposure for the GREENGUARD Certification brand in the children's and new parent product market.

"Each of these expos presents a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase the value of GREENGUARD Certification to children's product buyers and other key business decision makers from around the world," says Henning Bloech, GREENGUARD's executive director. "It's so important to educate this key market segment on the link between exposure to chemical emissions and children's health."

Research has shown that children who are exposed to VOCs are up to four times more likely to develop asthma—a chronic, life-threatening disease responsible for roughly 14 million missed school days each year—than children who aren't exposed. And, because their brains, lungs, and other vital organs are still developing, children are particularly susceptible to eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches; nausea; wheezing; coughing; dizziness; and general malaise. Long-term exposure to VOCs has been linked to developmental and reproductive disorders, too.

Fortunately, GREENGUARD Children & Schools Certified(SM) products are tested to meet some of the world's most stringent chemical emissions standards, helping parents create more healthful indoor environments for their children and families.

"We look forward to creating an eye-opening and thought-provoking experience for parents and other purchasers at Kind + Jugend and the ABC Kids Expo," Bloech adds.

Kind + Jugend is the leading international fair for infants' and children's products, attracting nearly 20,000 attendees from around the world. Coincidentally, GREENGUARD opened a branch office in Cologne, Germany last year. As the first time exhibiting at the show, GREENGUARD will present a fairly straight-forward booth design focusing on key messages about product emissions and children's health. The show runs September 15-18. For more information about the fair, visit www.kindundjugend.com.

The ABC Kids Expo is "the premier juvenile products specialty show" and "the fastest growing trade show in the nation," according to the expo's website. This year is the third that the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute will have exhibited at the show. GREENGUARD's booth, totally redesigned this year, serves to educate while evoking a sense of childhood purity, clarity, and innocence. Aesthetic details include crisp, clean white accents and an open layout. The show runs September 23-26 in Louisville, Ky. For more information about the expo, visit www.theabcshow.com.

About the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI)

The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute aims to protect human health and enhance quality of life by improving indoor air quality and reducing chemical exposure.  As an ISO-IEC Guide 65:1996 accredited, third-party organization, the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute certifies products and materials for low chemical emissions and serves as a resource for choosing healthier products and materials for indoor environments.  All certified products must meet stringent chemical emissions standards based on established criteria from key public health agencies. GREENGUARD Certification is broadly recognized and accepted by sustainable building programs and building codes worldwide.  For more information and a complete listing of certified products, visit www.greenguard.org.

SOURCE GREENGUARD Environmental Institute