Green Seal Proposes Revisions to Cleaning Product Standards

WASHINGTON, DC – Green Seal, the nation’s premier third-party environmental certification organization, is inviting comment on proposed revisions to nine cleaning product standards. Green Seal would like comment from a diverse group of stakeholders including product manufacturers, public health experts, environmental organizations and other interested parties. The comment period will be open through Monday, January 16, 2017. Those interested in commenting can register to submit feedback and view all relevant documents via an online forum at collaborase.com/chem-products-revision.

The proposed revisions are intended to improve consistency, clarity, and to ensure that the requirements are practical for manufacturers while still maintaining current leadership levels of environmental and human health protection. Additionally, some standards require updates to account for changes in the market and the commercial availability of new technologies.

In most cases the proposed revisions are not expected to immediately require reevaluations of currently certified products or changes in their formulations. Complete details of the standard revisions can be found at www.greenseal.org/Cleaning-Standards-Revision-2016.

The standards involved in these revisions are:

  1. Standard for Cleaning Products for Household Use, GS-8
  2. Standard for Cleaning and Degreasing Agents, GS-34
  3. Standard for Cleaning Products for Industrial and Institutional Use, GS-37
  4. Standard for Floor Care Products for Industrial and Institutional Use, GS-40
  5. Standard for Hand Cleaners for Industrial and Institutional Use, GS-41
  6. Standard for Laundry Care for Household Use, GS-48
  7. Standard for Laundry Care Products for Industrial and Institutional Use, GS-51
  8. Standard for Specialty Cleaning Products for Household Use, GS-52
  9. Standard for Specialty Cleaning Products for Industrial and Institutional Use, GS-53.

The proposed revisions include some aspect of the following topics:

  1. Threshold of Evaluation for Components and Ingredients
  2. Skin and Eye Hazard Requirements
  3. Acute Toxicity
  4. Toxicity to Aquatic Life
  5. Biodegradability Requirements
  6. Skin Sensitization Requirements
  7. Requirements for Disposable Wipes
  8. Colorant Requirements
  9. Substances That Release Carcinogens
  10. Packaging Requirements
  11. Resin Identification Codes on Plastic Packaging
  12. Prohibition of Heavy Metals in Products and Packaging
  13. Scope of GS-37
  14. Addition of Annex B for Closed Dilution-Control System Requirements
  15. Alternative Product Testing Requirements
  16. Dilution Levels for Performance Requirements
  17. Spray Packaging for Enzymatic and Microbially-Based Cleaners
  18. Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Requirement

Following the comment period, a response to comments will be published on Green Seal’s website, and the final revised standards will be published.

For those interested in learning about the proposed changes, a webinar is taking place on Thursday, December 15th from 3 P.M. - 4 P.M. ET. Questions will also be answered. To register, go to attendee.gotowebinar.com.

About Green Seal, Inc.
Green Seal, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was founded in 1989 to safeguard the health of people and the planet. Green Seal provides science-based environmental certification standards that are credible, transparent and essential to helping manufacturers, purchasers and consumers make responsible choices that positively impact business behavior and improve quality of life. Thousands of products and services in over 390 categories have been certified to meet Green Seal standards. Green Seal provides public education and guidance for creating a more sustainable world. For more information, please call 202/872-6400 or visit www.greenseal.org to learn more about Green Seal standards, certified products and services.

Featured

  • Recent University of Pennsylvania Projects Receive LEED Certifications

    The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Penn., recently announced that three of its recent construction projects have earned LEED certifications, according to university news. The Vagelos Laboratory for Energy Science and Technology (VLEST) received a LEED Platinum certification, Amy Gutmann Hall a LEED Gold, and the OTT Center for Track and Field a LEED silver.

  • FAU Starts Construction on Holocaust and Jewish Studies Building

    Florida Atlantic University recently began construction on a new academic building for its campus in Boca Raton, Fla., according to university news. The Kurt and Marilyn Wallach Holocaust and Jewish Studies Building will stand two stories, measure in at 22,000 square feet, and play home to the university’s Holocaust education and Jewish studies programs.

  • Malibu High School Campus Completes $102M Phase 1 of Construction

    Malibu High School in Malibu, Calif., recently announced that it has completed phase 1 of construction for its new campus, a news release reports. The first phase consisted of developing and modernizing the site of a former elementary school into a new, 70,000-square-foot, two-story facility.

  • Creating Long-Term Sustainability on College Campuses Through Fair Student Housing

    The quality of student housing can have a significant impact on an individual’s college experience. Today’s higher education institutions face mounting challenges, including declining enrollment, low retention rates between the first and second years, and a rise in student mental health concerns. Thoughtfully designed living spaces can help address these issues by creating environments that promote both academic focus and personal well-being.

Digital Edition