NFSI Certified Mats: What the Certification Means for Floor Safety

• October 05, 2026
• Safety & Liability
• STIVEN RAMÍREZ GÓMEZ

If you have looked at commercial floor mats, you may have seen the phrase “NFSI certified” on a product sheet. It is sometimes mistyped as “NFSL.” The correct name is NFSI, the National Floor Safety Institute. This article explains who they are, what their certification covers, and how to use it when you choose mats for your facility.

What Is the NFSI?

The National Floor Safety Institute is a nonprofit organization founded in 1997 with one focus: preventing slips, trips and falls. It does this through research, education, product testing and the development of safety standards.

The NFSI is also a standards developer accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Its standards are published in the ANSI/NFSI B101 series, which covers how the slip resistance of walking surfaces is measured and includes guidance on the use of entrance matting in commercial buildings.

What “NFSI Certified” Means for a Floor Mat

NFSI certification applies to a product. It does not apply to a company. A manufacturer submits a mat for independent testing, and if the product meets the institute’s criteria for traction, it can carry the NFSI certification mark, often described as “high traction.”

In practical terms, a certified mat has been tested by a third party for how well it resists slipping, including when wet. It is evidence that someone other than the manufacturer has measured the product’s performance.

Two points are easy to miss:

• A mat service is not “NFSI certified” as a business. The accurate statement is that specific mats in its inventory are certified. Ask which ones.
• Certification is tied to the product as tested. A worn, curled or dirty mat does not perform like a new one, whatever mark it carried when it left the factory.

Why It Matters for Your Business

Falls are among the most common causes of injuries in commercial buildings, to both employees and visitors, and many of them happen near entrances where water, snow and grit come in on shoes.

A certified mat helps in three ways:

• It reduces the hazard. A mat with tested traction and good absorption keeps water at the door.
• It supports your documentation. If an incident happens, being able to show that you chose tested products and maintained them on a schedule is part of showing reasonable care.
• It gives you an objective way to compare products. Without a third-party test, you are relying on marketing language.

Certification is one part of floor safety. It does not replace the rest of your program. For the cost side of the issue, see the true cost of a slip and fall.

A Certified Mat Still Has to Be Used Correctly

Most mat-related falls come from how a mat is used. A few things matter as much as the label:

• Enough length. People need several steps on matting to leave water and dirt behind. One short mat at a busy door will not do it.
• The right type in the right place. Scraper mats outside or in the vestibule, absorbent entrance mats inside.
• Flat edges. A rippled or curled mat is a trip hazard. It should be replaced.
• Regular cleaning. A saturated mat stops absorbing and starts spreading water. Weekly exchange keeps it working.
• Seasonal changes. Winter in Illinois and Indiana calls for more matting than summer.

This is the main reason businesses use a rental program: the provider handles the exchange and replacement, so the mats stay in working condition. See how mat rental programs work for the full process.

Questions to Ask Your Mat Provider About NFSI

1. Which specific mats in my program are NFSI certified?
2. Can you show me the certification for those products?
3. How do you decide when a mat is too worn to stay in service?
4. How much matting do you recommend at each of my entrances, and why?
5. How does my program change in winter?

Ask us the same questions. When you request a quote from Specialty Mat Services, we will tell you which products in your proposed program carry NFSI certification, so you can make the decision with the documentation in hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it NFSL or NFSI?

NFSI. The organization is the National Floor Safety Institute. “NFSL” is a common typo.

Does OSHA require NFSI-certified mats?

No. OSHA requires employers to keep walking surfaces clean, dry and free of hazards, but it does not require a specific certification for mats. Certified products are one way to support that obligation.

Are all commercial mats NFSI certified?

No. Certification is voluntary, and each product has to be submitted and tested. Check the product documentation.

Does a certified mat mean my business cannot be held responsible for a fall?

No. No product can promise that. Certified mats, used and maintained properly, reduce risk and help show that you took reasonable precautions. For questions about legal liability, talk to your insurer or attorney.

Talk to Us About Floor Safety at Your Entrances

We provide commercial mat rental to businesses across Illinois and Northwest Indiana. Call 800-941-6287 or request a free program analysis.