Green Standards

There are several independent organizations that establish standards for and in some cases certify cleaning chemicals, equipment, paper and other products used in cleaning and maintenance as environmentally preferable. These standards are referenced throughout this guide to make evaluating green products and practices for schools as easy as possible. The chart below describes each standard and lists the types of products covered.

Standards for Green Cleaning Products

Applicable Standard	Type of Products
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) ASTM International is a trusted source for technical standards for a diverse range of industries. Based on these standards, ASTM has published Standard Guide for Stewardship for the Cleaning of Commercial and Institutional Buildings (publication E1971- 05), which outlines the stewardship of cleaning and housekeeping operations for institutional and commercial buildings. For more information, visit www.astm.org.	Guiding principles for cleaning
California VOC: In an effort to minimize air pollution, California set limits on the concentration of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) for numerous consumer products. Ask your vendor for products that meet the California VOC standard if there are no standards available from Green Seal or Environmental Choice. The product label will state that it is registered for sale in the State of California. For more information see Resources and Tools.	Deodorizers, furniture and metal polishes and other “high- VOC” cleaning products
Chlorine Free: The Chlorine Free Products Association (CFPA) is an independent not-for-profit accreditation and standard-setting organization that evaluates products on the basis of chlorine usage. The CFPA has no financial interest in the products or companies it certifies. Look for “Totally Chlorine Free” and “Processed Chlorine Free ” logos. As of fall 2006, these products are only available from one source. For more information, visit www.chlorinefreeproducts.org.	Paper products
EcoLogo: EcoLogo (formerly Environmental Choice), founded in 1988, is a multi-attribute environmental standard setting and third-party certification program. EcoLogo has more than 120 standards and more than 7,000 certified products. As a member of the Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN), EcoLogo standards address resource use, chemicals used during production, waste and emission reduction, energy consumption and packaging. Originally started by the Canadian government, EcoLogo is now used throughout the world. EcoLogo certified products are widely available throughout North America. http://www.ecologo.org	Institutional cleaners; hand soaps, paper products; cleaning contract providers; floor care products
The Carpet and Rug Institute: The Carpet and Rug Institute represents the carpet and rug industry. The Institute's members are manufacturers representing the bulk of all carpet produced in the United States. CRI introduced its Green Label Testing Program for vacuum cleaners in 2000 and more recently introduced a program for carpet extractors and carpet cleaning systems. CRI also offers extensive information about carpet, installation, maintenance, and indoor air quality through a toll free information line, 800-882-8846 and at www.carpet-rug.org (general information) or www.carpet-health.org (studies).	Carpet cleaning equipment
Design for the Enviornment: EPA's Design for the Environment Formulator Partnership (DfE) is a voluntary partnership program from the EPA that works to make products and processes healthier for humans and the environment. The program does not revolve around a specific standard, but rather works with individual manufacturers to improve their unique products. The program covers multiple product categories. http://www.epa.gov/dfe/
Green Seal is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to safeguarding the environment and transforming the marketplace by promoting the manufacture, purchase, and use of environmentally responsible products. They certify hundreds of products using credible, science-based, and transparent standards. The Green Seal certification program meets ISO 14000, the standard set by the International Organization of Standards (ISO). The program is equivalent to the Global Ecolabelling Network standard. To learn more about Green Seal standards, visit http://greenseal.org.	Institutional cleaners; hand soaps, paper products; cleaning contract providers; floor care products
U.S. EPA: The EPA establishes recycled content requirements for paper and plastic products under its Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines. These guidelines are based on producers’ information rather than third-party certification. A database of manufacturers and suppliers of CPG-rated products can be found at www.epa.gov/cpg, along with ideas for saving paper at school and promoting recycling.	General bathroom tissue; paper towels, paper napkins, facial tissue; industrial wipes; and plastic trash can liners; entryway mats; and assorted items
USGBC: The United States Green Building Council developed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) rating system, which maximizes building operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. It is a recognized, performance-based benchmark for building owners and operators to measure operations, improvements and maintenance on a consistent scale. LEED-EB is designed for delivering economically profitable, environmentally responsible, healthy, productive places to live and work.	Whole-building cleaning and maintenance issues including chemical use; indoor air quality; energy and water efficiency; and lighting performance standards
Note: For categories in which certification programs are not available, companies many choose to receive independent third-party verification of products’ environmental benefits.