The simple program that Ron Van Gelderen wanted that would recognize reputable carpet cleaners has been co-opted by private interests. Politics and greed have replaced ideals and simplicity. Circumvention of carpet warranties seems to be high on the agenda. Certain mills want to eliminate certain cleaning products but they want to do it through the offices of CRI™ and "independent testing" programs. Apparently they don't have the courage to do it themselves or they may fear legal ramifications.
Cleaning carpet is not a particularly difficult chore, but there are some who wish to make it seem more complicated than it really is. Tethering carpet cleaners and suppliers to a never-ending progression of hoops and fees under the guise of approved products and services can be profitable for CRI. Some educational interests (IICRC®) have joined with CRI to make carpet cleaning sound like rocket science so they can sell more classes and employ more instructors.
Mr. VanGelderen's profound and simple goal could have profited everyone in the carpet industry, from mills to cleaners, had it been promoted and allowed to mature. Instead, the result has been confusion on the part of the consumer and continually falling carpet sales.
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