Marmoleum eco-labels explained: what they mean for your home

Everyone claims their flooring is „eco". On this page – only facts backed by official Forbo documents and independent certificates. In plain words: what Marmoleum is made of, what each label means, and how it benefits you.

☘ What Marmoleum is made of

Marmoleum is natural linoleum, produced in the Netherlands for more than 150 years from the same raw materials:

linseed oil – the key ingredient, pressed from flax seeds;
wood flour – wood-processing residues from PEFC certified forests;
limestone – a natural mineral;
pine rosin – a natural binder;
jute backing – woven plant fibre.

In total about 97% natural raw materials (the Soul collection – up to 99%). It contains no PVC, no phthalates, no plasticisers and no mineral oils.

☘ What it means for you

For your home. Marmoleum has no odour and emits almost no volatile compounds – you can sleep in the room the same day the floor is installed.

For a kids room. Children play on the floor, so it matters that it contains no phthalates or plasticisers. Marmoleum has none.

For allergy sufferers. The floor does not harbour allergens or dust mites, and linseed oil naturally inhibits bacteria growth – confirmed by the Allergy UK Seal of Approval.

For schools and kindergartens. M1 is the Finnish emission standard used in Scandinavian schools. Together with use class 43 and simple maintenance without aggressive chemicals, it is one of the most practical choices for education.

☘ Certificates in plain words

Der Blaue Engel (Blue Angel). The oldest eco-label in the world, Germany, since 1978: environmentally sound production, safe for health.

Nordic Swan. The official Nordic label: strict requirements for chemicals, emissions and renewable materials. Granted to Marmoleum collections listed in the licence.

Eurofins Indoor Air Comfort Gold. One of the strictest indoor air standards in Europe – it covers both M1 (Finland) and the French A+ class. Simply put: the floor does not pollute the air you breathe.

Allergy UK Seal of Approval. The British allergy foundation label: suitable for sensitive and allergic people.

EPD (EN 15804). An independently verified „environmental passport" of the product: the whole life cycle – raw materials, production, transport – calculated and published. Not marketing, audited figures.

Declare Red List Free and USDA Biobased. Confirm the product is free of hazardous „red list" substances and made from bio-based raw materials.

☘ About CO2 – without slogans

Flax, jute and wood absorb CO2 while growing. Counted from raw materials to the factory gate (cradle to gate), Marmoleum absorbs more CO2 than its production emits – without buying any offsets. For the Soul collection this is confirmed by a dedicated EPD: from −1.68 to −1.90 kg CO2 eq. per m². The factory runs on wind power and production offcuts go back into new flooring.

☘ Certificates to download (PDF)

Source: official Forbo document centre.

☘ FAQ

Are Marmoleum and linoleum the same? Marmoleum is the Forbo brand of natural linoleum. In everyday speech „linoleum" often means PVC flooring – a completely different product: Marmoleum contains no PVC.

How is Marmoleum different from vinyl? Vinyl is a synthetic PVC floor with plasticisers. Marmoleum is made of natural raw materials without PVC. Both have their uses; when indoor air and natural composition matter most, Marmoleum is the choice.

Can you really sleep in the room the day of installation? Yes – the floor is certified to the strictest emission standards (IAC Gold, M1, A+). We recommend low-emission EC1 adhesives.

How long does Marmoleum last? Decades even in commercial spaces (use class 34/43). A long service life is ecology too: you replace the floor less often and produce less waste.

Questions? Browse Marmoleum colours or visit our showroom in Vilnius to see the samples live.