Often at GreenOfficeStore.com we are asked by customers what it means to be a "Green Seal Certified" cleaner or what is "FSC Certified" paper? With the growing concern for the environment, there has also been a growing concern with the authenticity of labeling something as "green". With that thought in mind, we have come up with a list of common green classifications and what they mean to you. We hope you find this helpful!
Green Seal Certification
Green Seal's evaluations are based on state-of-the-art science and information using
internationally recognized methods and procedures. To earn the coveted Green Seal a product must meet the Green Seal environmental standard for the category as demonstrated by rigorous evaluation, testing and a plant visit.
Green Seal works with manufacturers, industry sectors, purchasing groups, and governments at all levels to "green" the production and purchasing chain. We utilize a life-cycle approach, which means we evaluate a product or service beginning with material extraction, continuing with manufacturing and use, and ending with recycling and disposal.
Eco-Logo
EcoLogo is North America’s most widely recognized and respected certification of environmental
leadership, setting standards and certifying products in more than 120 categories.
The EcoLogoM Program is a Type I eco-label, as defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in its standard - "Environmental Labeling" (ISO 14024). This means, the Program compares products / services with others in the same category, develops rigorous and scientifically relevant criteria, and awards the EcoLogoM to those that are environmentally preferable throughout their entire whole life a thorough evaluation and auditing process.
EPA DfE (Design for the Environment)
When you see the DfE logo on a product it means that the DfE scientific review team has
screened each ingredient for potential human health and environmental effects and that—based on currently available information, EPA predictive models, and expert judgment—the product contains only those ingredients that pose the least concern among chemicals in their class.
The Design for the Environment (DfE) Program works in partnership with a broad range of stakeholders to reduce risk to people and the environment by preventing pollution. DfE focuses on industries that combine the potential for chemical risk reduction and improvements in energy efficiency with a strong motivation to make lasting, positive changes. Partnership projects evaluate the human health and environmental considerations, performance, and cost of traditional and alternative technologies, materials, and processes.
CRI Green Label (Carpet and Rug Institute)
The Green Label and Green Label Plus testing programs, overseen by independent labs, are
designed for architects, builders, specifiers and facility managers who want assurances that carpet and adhesive products meet the most stringent criteria for low chemical emissions and help improve indoor air quality. Currently, carpet, cushion and adhesives as well as vacuum cleaners are tested in these programs. Working in cooperation with California’s Sustainable Building Task Force and the Department of Health Services, Indoor Air Quality section, the carpet industry voluntarily enhanced its Green Label program for carpet and adhesives to meeting the testing protocol used by the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS). CRI has exceeded the CHPS criteria in several respects, including testing annually for specific chemicals, testing for six additional chemicals, maintaining a chain of custody process and performing an annual audit of the testing facility.
Bio-Based (biodegradable) Ingredients
Products that are biodegradable reduce waste and pollution and capture the full value of our
increasingly scarce natural resources. A growing number of biodegradable materials are being sought by manufacturers. Biodegradable products are those that pose no toxic threat when disposed of through conventional waste streams.
Recycled Material
Products made with recycled material help to reduce waste and preserve natural resources. In
general, there are two types of recycled material: (1) post-industrial, and (2) post-consumer. Post-industrial material comes from manufacturing processes where virgin resources go to waste. This material is collected and used in a product other than that for which it was originally harvested. Post-consumer material comes from products that are no longer used for their intended purpose. Recyclable products are separated from the waste stream, often broken down into raw materials, and then sold to manufacturers for reuse.
Better for the Environment
Products that are better for the environment include products that promote the reduction in consumption or lessen the waste associated with other products in respective industries. This seal also encompasses products made from either organic material or products that promote a healthier lifestyle.
Lowers Water Consumption (Saves Water)
Products that lower water consumption help conserve our planets water supply. This seal indicates products that save our planets presious water supply by cutting its overuse.
Energy Star Approved
One of the main goals of the ENERGY STAR program is to develop performance-based specifications that determine the most efficient products in a particular category. Products that meet these specifications earn the ENERGY STAR label.
To develop ENERGY STAR product specifications, EPA and DOE use a systematic process that relies on rigorous market, engineering, and pollution savings analyses as well as input from industry stakeholders.
EPA Approved
Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG)—a key component of the government's "buy-
recycled" program. Today, more and more products are made from recycled materials—from the carpeting and insulation used in office buildings, to the reams of office paper purchased each day. Buying recycled helps "close the recycling loop" by putting the materials we collect through recycling programs back to good use as products in the marketplace.
Recycling also helps address global climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Manufacturing goods from recycled materials typically requires less energy than producing goods from virgin materials. When people reuse goods or when products are made with less material, less energy is needed to extract, transport, and process raw materials and to manufacture products. When energy demand decreases, fewer fossil fuels are burned and less carbon dioxide is emitted into the atmosphere.
FSC Certified
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international non-profit organisation founded in 1993 to support the world's forests.
FSC members comprise a diverse group of representatives from environmental and social groups, the timber trade, paper industry, forestry profession, indigenous people's organisations, community forestry groups and forest product certification organisations from around the world.
It is their job to ensure that the forests are managed to protect wildlife habitat and respect the rights of local communities.
FSC Chain of Custody is the process by which the source of a timber product is verified.
Certification involves inspection and auditing of the land from which the timber and pulpwood originate and tracking it through all the steps of the production process until it reaches the end user.
Only when this tracking has been independently verified is the product is eligible to carry the FSC Logo.
Green Seal Certification
Green Seal's evaluations are based on state-of-the-art science and information using
internationally recognized methods and procedures. To earn the coveted Green Seal a product must meet the Green Seal environmental standard for the category as demonstrated by rigorous evaluation, testing and a plant visit.Green Seal works with manufacturers, industry sectors, purchasing groups, and governments at all levels to "green" the production and purchasing chain. We utilize a life-cycle approach, which means we evaluate a product or service beginning with material extraction, continuing with manufacturing and use, and ending with recycling and disposal.
Eco-Logo
EcoLogo is North America’s most widely recognized and respected certification of environmental
leadership, setting standards and certifying products in more than 120 categories.The EcoLogoM Program is a Type I eco-label, as defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in its standard - "Environmental Labeling" (ISO 14024). This means, the Program compares products / services with others in the same category, develops rigorous and scientifically relevant criteria, and awards the EcoLogoM to those that are environmentally preferable throughout their entire whole life a thorough evaluation and auditing process.
EPA DfE (Design for the Environment)
When you see the DfE logo on a product it means that the DfE scientific review team has
screened each ingredient for potential human health and environmental effects and that—based on currently available information, EPA predictive models, and expert judgment—the product contains only those ingredients that pose the least concern among chemicals in their class.The Design for the Environment (DfE) Program works in partnership with a broad range of stakeholders to reduce risk to people and the environment by preventing pollution. DfE focuses on industries that combine the potential for chemical risk reduction and improvements in energy efficiency with a strong motivation to make lasting, positive changes. Partnership projects evaluate the human health and environmental considerations, performance, and cost of traditional and alternative technologies, materials, and processes.
CRI Green Label (Carpet and Rug Institute)
The Green Label and Green Label Plus testing programs, overseen by independent labs, are
designed for architects, builders, specifiers and facility managers who want assurances that carpet and adhesive products meet the most stringent criteria for low chemical emissions and help improve indoor air quality. Currently, carpet, cushion and adhesives as well as vacuum cleaners are tested in these programs. Working in cooperation with California’s Sustainable Building Task Force and the Department of Health Services, Indoor Air Quality section, the carpet industry voluntarily enhanced its Green Label program for carpet and adhesives to meeting the testing protocol used by the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS). CRI has exceeded the CHPS criteria in several respects, including testing annually for specific chemicals, testing for six additional chemicals, maintaining a chain of custody process and performing an annual audit of the testing facility.Bio-Based (biodegradable) Ingredients
Products that are biodegradable reduce waste and pollution and capture the full value of our
increasingly scarce natural resources. A growing number of biodegradable materials are being sought by manufacturers. Biodegradable products are those that pose no toxic threat when disposed of through conventional waste streams.Recycled Material
Products made with recycled material help to reduce waste and preserve natural resources. In
general, there are two types of recycled material: (1) post-industrial, and (2) post-consumer. Post-industrial material comes from manufacturing processes where virgin resources go to waste. This material is collected and used in a product other than that for which it was originally harvested. Post-consumer material comes from products that are no longer used for their intended purpose. Recyclable products are separated from the waste stream, often broken down into raw materials, and then sold to manufacturers for reuse.Better for the Environment
Products that are better for the environment include products that promote the reduction in consumption or lessen the waste associated with other products in respective industries. This seal also encompasses products made from either organic material or products that promote a healthier lifestyle.
Lowers Water Consumption (Saves Water)
Products that lower water consumption help conserve our planets water supply. This seal indicates products that save our planets presious water supply by cutting its overuse.
Energy Star Approved
One of the main goals of the ENERGY STAR program is to develop performance-based specifications that determine the most efficient products in a particular category. Products that meet these specifications earn the ENERGY STAR label.
To develop ENERGY STAR product specifications, EPA and DOE use a systematic process that relies on rigorous market, engineering, and pollution savings analyses as well as input from industry stakeholders.
EPA Approved
Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG)—a key component of the government's "buy-
recycled" program. Today, more and more products are made from recycled materials—from the carpeting and insulation used in office buildings, to the reams of office paper purchased each day. Buying recycled helps "close the recycling loop" by putting the materials we collect through recycling programs back to good use as products in the marketplace.Recycling also helps address global climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Manufacturing goods from recycled materials typically requires less energy than producing goods from virgin materials. When people reuse goods or when products are made with less material, less energy is needed to extract, transport, and process raw materials and to manufacture products. When energy demand decreases, fewer fossil fuels are burned and less carbon dioxide is emitted into the atmosphere.
FSC Certified
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international non-profit organisation founded in 1993 to support the world's forests.
FSC members comprise a diverse group of representatives from environmental and social groups, the timber trade, paper industry, forestry profession, indigenous people's organisations, community forestry groups and forest product certification organisations from around the world.
It is their job to ensure that the forests are managed to protect wildlife habitat and respect the rights of local communities.
FSC Chain of Custody is the process by which the source of a timber product is verified.
Certification involves inspection and auditing of the land from which the timber and pulpwood originate and tracking it through all the steps of the production process until it reaches the end user.
Only when this tracking has been independently verified is the product is eligible to carry the FSC Logo.
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