Nov 6 2007
Innovative Stone® announced that its natural stone countertops, protected by PermaShield™, have received cleanability and safety certifications from NSF International, formerly the National Sanitation Foundation. This highly coveted distinction identifies PermaShield-protected natural stone countertops as safe for public health and safety worldwide. More noteworthy is the fact that Innovative Stone is the only 100% natural stone supplier in reception of this authoritative seal of hygiene and safety.
PermaShield is Innovative Stone's revolutionary anti-staining technology. Through independent laboratory testing, PermaShield has been found to "make granite surfaces more sanitary, easier-to-clean, and help to inhibit the growth of odor and stain-causing bacteria" on countertops. The certification from NSF states that PermaShield protected natural stones, with a polished finish, meet the material standards according to NSF-51 for cleanability. The certification is expected to further increase interest in PermaShield-protected products such as Stonemark™ by Innovative Stone®, which, through Innovative Stone's exclusive partnership with The Home Depot® and Expo Design Center®, is quickly becoming one of the most popular surfaces in the American household.
"We are very proud that PermaShield-protected surfaces have received NSF-51 certification as it is unequivocally clear that Innovative Stone products continue to be at the forefront of true innovation for the contemporary home," said Karen Pearse, chief executive officer and founder of Innovative Stone. "This certification enables the use of the highly recognized and trusted NSF mark on our products and will help further differentiate them in the marketplace."
According to Mike Kohler, technical manager of NSF's Food Equipment Certification Program, "Innovative Stone's PermaShield-protected natural stone has met the standards for our NSF-51 certification, and in doing so, broke new ground in our categorical certification structure."