Question of the Month - March 2009

Question: 

" Recently, I have run in to DfE and was curious as to your take on the things the EPA is doing in relation to Green Seal. This customer is insisting that our products be "EPA approved." Is it merely who the customer decides to follow? Sounds a bit like Green Washing to me.

Your comments would be appreciated. "

Steve’s Answer:  

If your customer is talking about disinfectants then I agree --- at a minimum the product has to be EPA registered. However for other products like all purpose cleaners and floor care products, most of the "roadmaps" such as LEED-EB:OM and the Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools require that the products are either Green Seal or Ecologo certified (or the manufacturer can show through independent testing that the products would meet those standards even if they aren't certified).

However, EPA's Design for the Environment (DfE) program is making significant progress and is currently included in some of the State legislation on Green Cleaning in Schools (i.e. Illinois). My belief is that in the future, the DfE products will be recognized as "green" along side of Green Seal and Ecologo.

Hope this helps.

Steve

 

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