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 The Quick and Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools 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.
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 the Resources and Tools section of The Quick and Easy Guide to Green Cleaning. |
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 |
 Environmental Choice: Environmental Choice is a standard sponsored by the Canadian government that certifies over 3,000 products based on Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN) standards, which address resource use, chemicals used during production, waste and emissions reduction, energy consumption and packaging. EC-certified products are widely available in Canada and are becoming more available in the United States. Environmental Choice has a mutual recognition agreement with Green Seal recognizing one another's programs. For more information, see: www.environmentalchoice.com. |
General purpose cleaning products, floor cleaners, disinfectants and drain openers, paper |
 Green Label: The Carpet and Rug Institute's Green Label testing program requires qualifying equipment to effectively remove soils, contain dust, and help the carpet retain a good appearance. It is the only existing standard for vacuums. 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 |
 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. |
General purpose and bathroom cleaners (GS-37), floor care finishes, strippers and maintenance products (GS-40), paper napkins and towels (GS-9), tissue (GS-1), green procurement, and green cleaning procedures |
 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. |
 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 |
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