Green Seal is an independent, non-profit organization that strives to achieve a healthier and cleaner environment
by identifying and promoting products and services that cause less toxic pollution and waste,conserve resources and habitats, and minimize global warming and ozone depletion. Green Seal evaluates products submitted on a voluntary basis using internationally recognized methods and procedures, state-of-the-art science, and information.
Green Seal meets the criteria of ISO 14020 and 14024, the environmental standards for ecolabeling set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO); the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s criteria for third-party certifiers of environmentally-preferable products; and the criteria for bona fide ecolabeling bodies of the Global Ecolabeling Network.
Green Seal has developed over 30 stringent standards for products including paints, industrial and institutional cleaners, degreasers, household cleaners, lodging properties, and paper towels and napkins.
Green Seal Programs
Green Seal has two significant programs targeted at government and the lodging industry. These programs have been so successful that some agencies and companies now write Green Seal Certification into their purchasing specs. Green Seal has partnered with the lodging industry since 1995, and has campaigned to inform the nearly 54,000 U.S. hotels and motels about how environmental efforts can improve both the environment and the bottom line.
These programs include:
* Greening Your Government – technical assistance to Federal, State, and local government in their purchasing, operations, and facilities management. Green Seal provides assistance through product evaluations and recommendations, manuals, certification, and special projects.
* Product Standards and Certification – development of environmental standards for leadership products in specific categories and certification of products that meet them.
* Product Recommendations – technical reports “Choose Green” reports on products in a variety of categories giving specific brand recommendations for those that meet screening criteria.
* Greening the Lodging Industry – long-term project with hotels and motels to green their operations and purchasing, now including certification of specific properties.
* Policy – leadership in green procurement policy, international policy for ecolabeling, etc.
