Asthma and Allergy Foundation Celebrates Certification Program Anniversary

LANDOVER, Md. (April 25, 2016)—This spring allergy season marks the 10th anniversary of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s (AAFA) asthma and allergy friendly certification program. The 60 million Americans with asthma and allergies have learned to trust certified consumer products and services when they see the Certification Mark on a product label. Certified products and services have been tested against strict scientific standards and shown to be suitable for families with asthma or allergies in their household.

AAFA, the leading patient advocacy organization for individuals living with asthma and allergies in the United States, partnered with Allergy Standards Limited (ASL) 10 years ago to create a scientifically based program to validate product claims. The certification program serves as a lighthouse in the fog for families navigating the sea of manufacturer claims about allergen reduction. Core to AAFA’s mission, the asthma and allergy friendly certification program helps patients live a life without limits.

The program broadens options for those with asthma and allergies.

• The certification program tested and certified over 300 products.
• The program tested and certified products for over 25 manufacturers.
• The program tested and certified products in over 22 various product categories that are vital to a healthy home.

The program shaped the allergen-reduction product market.

• The certification program developed over 30 product category standards that are reviewed by a medical board and used for testing a wide range of household products and services.
• Certified products appear in over 20 retailers nationwide.

“I am proud of the impact the asthma and allergy friendly certification program has had over the past 10 years,” says Dr. Cary Sennett, President and CEO of AAFA. “To provide patients living with asthma and allergies a trusted source for suitable products for a healthy home is vital to AAFA’s mission. I am optimistic and excited to see the expansion of our program over the next 10 years.”

The asthma and allergy friendly certification program was born out of the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma. According to the NIH, reducing your exposure to asthma and allergy triggers in your home—such as dust mites, pet dander, cockroaches, smoke and other allergens and irritants—is a vital component of asthma and allergies management. This idea of “environmental control” outlined in NIH’s clinical guidelines specifically addresses the use of mattress covers, vacuum cleaners, air filtration systems and other tools in improving your home’s environment. The asthma and allergy friendly certification program is administered by AAFA in partnership with the international research organization, ASL. For more information about the program, visit aafa.org/certified.