Innovative Stone is the Only 100% Natural Stone Supplier Certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 51 (PRWeb via Yahoo! News)

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Leading natural stone company reaches key certification achievement.

Happauge, NY (PRWEB) November 5, 2007 -- Innovative Stone® announced today that its natural stone countertops, protected by PermaShield™, have received cleanability and safety certifications from NSF International, formerly the National Sanitation Foundation. This highly coveted distinction identifies PermaShield-protected natural stone countertops as safe for public health and safety worldwide. More noteworthy is the fact that Innovative Stone is the only 100% natural stone supplier in reception of this authoritative seal of hygiene and safety.

PermaShield is Innovative Stone's revolutionary anti-staining technology. Through independent laboratory testing, PermaShield has been found to "make granite surfaces more sanitary, easier-to-clean, and help to inhibit the growth of odor and stain-causing bacteria" on countertops. The certification from NSF states that PermaShield protected natural stones, with a polished finish, meet the material standards according to NSF-51 for cleanability. The certification is expected to further increase interest in PermaShield-protected products such as Stonemark™ by Innovative Stone®, which, through Innovative Stone's exclusive partnership with The Home Depot® and Expo Design Center®, is quickly becoming one of the most popular surfaces in the American household.

"We are very proud that PermaShield-protected surfaces have received NSF-51 certification as it is unequivocally clear that Innovative Stone products continue to be at the forefront of true innovation for the contemporary home," said Karen Pearse, chief executive officer and founder of Innovative Stone. "This certification enables the use of the highly recognized and trusted NSF mark on our products and will help further differentiate them in the marketplace."

According to Mike Kohler, technical manager of NSF's Food Equipment Certification Program, "Innovative Stone's PermaShield-protected natural stone has met the standards for our NSF-51 certification, and in doing so, broke new ground in our categorical certification structure."

About Innovative Stone®:
Innovative Stone is a leading fabricator, supplier and distributor of branded natural stone products for commercial and residential markets, with operations in New York, Brazil, China, India and Italy, as well as distribution centers in major cities across the U.S. Innovative Stone pioneered Stonemark™, the first branded granite countertop, exclusive to The Home Depot and Expo Design Center. Other Innovative Stone brands include: Bellavana™, PermaShield™ and Proliner™. With more than five million square feet of granite fabricated and installed, Innovative Stone is the world's largest granite countertop fabricator. Innovative Stone is recognized for its commitment to excellence and unsurpassed customer service by discerning homeowners, architects and designers of the world's most beautiful buildings, retail venues and hotels.