AAFA’s Certification Program

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) joined with Allergy Standards Limited (ASL) to create the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Program. We test household products against strict standards. If products pass our tests, they earn the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Mark. When you see this mark, you know the product is proven to be better suited for people with asthma and allergies.

The Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Program has a new mark! The new Certification Mark is now easier to identify on product packaging and online platforms. This new design will help you find products that meet our strict standards.

The design features a lung shape to represent a connection to breathing and well-being. For the more than 100 million people in the United States with asthma and/or allergies, good respiratory health is critical.

You’ll still see the old mark on Certified products until the new mark is fully rolled out.

The original Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Mark is on the left. The new Certification Mark, starting in 2025, is on the right.

Why Do People with Asthma and Allergies Need Certified Products?

Reducing exposure to triggers and allergens is critical to controlling asthma and allergy symptoms. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), people in the U.S. spend about 90% of their time indoors where they are exposed to concentrations of pollutants often 2 to 5 times higher than typical outdoor pollution.¹ The indoor environment also collects allergens (such as animal dander, dust mite allergen, or mold). This can make it hard for people with asthma and allergies to limit their exposure to these irritants and allergens.

Having good indoor air quality is an important part of having a healthy living space, especially for people with asthma and allergies. Everything inside your home – including its building materials, appliances, furnishings, electronics, fabrics, and more – contribute to your home’s air quality.

Standards That Matter

It’s common to see the term “hypoallergenic” or “allergy free” on many products and services. But there is no regulation on how a product can be labeled “hypoallergenic.” The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says, “There are no federal standards or definitions that govern the use of the term ‘hypoallergenic.’ The term means whatever a particular company wants it to mean.”²

Just because a product is labeled as hypoallergenic, it doesn’t mean it actually is. Not every company independently tests their products to make sure they support that claim. People with asthma and allergies need products and services backed by science, not marketing.

The Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Program is based on science and uses independent labs around the world to test products.

The Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Process

We follow these steps to certify products:

• AAFA and ASL conduct market research and listen to feedback from AAFA’s asthma and allergy community about people’s needs.
• ASL reviews scientific research, clinical studies, related national and international standards, and best practices.
• ASL develops the standard for the product category, including strict standards for testing products.
• AAFA’s independent medical scientific council reviews the proposed standard and provides expert feedback.
• The standard is sent to the board of directors for AAFA and ASL for review and approval.
• ASL monitors the testing of products.
• AAFA and ASL award the certification to products who meet all of the required standards.

We review products and companies to see if their products are a good fit for the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Program. Companies send their products to independent labs for testing. ASL manages the testing process to ensure the labs follow strict guidelines.

Products must pass every test required in the standard to qualify for Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification. Each Certified product has a certificate, a unique certification code, and the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Mark.

How Do I Find Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certified Products?

Visit the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Program website to find a list of certified products, including:

• Air cleaners including portable air purifiers and whole home air care systems
• Air filters
• Bedding including pillows, sheets, pillow and mattress covers
• Cleaning products
• Flooring
• Insulation
• Laundry appliances and detergents
• Paint
• Vacuum cleaners

Remember to look for the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Mark when choosing products. These products are proven to reduce your exposure to indoor asthma and allergy triggers.