Mr Werner.
I have some questions and concerns, not about the science but about the criteria and how they were established. So instead of asking "where's the beef" I ask "where's the coffee, tea, coke, pet hair, cooking oils and wine in your test soil?"
The white paper entitled "X-Ray fluorescence and the quantification of test matter extracted from carpet by Gary Asbury of PTL and Robert F Shannon of KeyMaster Technologies, it states on page 8, 2nd paragraph, that they apply 6 grams of each
compound or 30 gram in total to 1,000 grams of nylon pellets, then they use 250 grams out of the 1,000 grams of coated pellets to soil the test carpet. see first 2 paragraphs on page 4. This would amount to approx 1/4 of 30 grams or 7.5 grams of soil to a piece of carpet 400 sq inches in size ( like 16x25 inches). Since 28 grams = one ounce, that means that they are using approx one quarter of an ounce of "soil" per carpet strip.
This is then being cleaned with anywhere from from 4 "passes" for residential to 44 "passes" on commercial. Is it any wonder that a Rug Doctor passes? I can doctor your criteria to ensure that several more CRI member's home cleaning units will also pass - Hoover, Bissel, Electrolux etc.
Who determined what amount of soil was to be used?
Who decided on how many passes would be used? and what bearing does this have on the reality of how many passes are actually made by the cleaner?
Who decided on the 55% bar for a bronze seal?
How do you really expect to raise standards with 55% bar?
Most of us are WAY above that already and that is why we are incensed.
Do you really suppose that the end user will take the time to inform herself of the difference between using or hiring bronze or silver or gold equipment ?
Why do you state the SOA was launched in 2005 when we both know that it all began in 2002 and had to be dropped?
You have often stated that you do not understand why we as cleaners do not support this program in it's present form. Given the lack of transparency and any lack of consulting with professional cleaners you do really wonder why?