For Green's Sake

Source: Greenseal Web Site

Founded in 1989, Green Seal provides science-based environmental certification standards that are credible, transparent, and essential in an increasingly educated and competitive marketplace. Our industry knowledge and standards help manufacturers, purchasers, and end users alike make responsible choices that positively impact business behavior and improve quality of life.

A 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, Green Seal issued its first environmental standards in 1991-2, and the first product certifications were completed in 1992. Hundreds of products and services from major companies such as 3M, Benjamin Moore, and Andersen Windows have now been certified to meet Green Seal standards, and the number of major product categories covered by standards has increased to more than 40.

Today, we have established a significant market among large institutional purchasers, including government agencies, universities, and the lodging and architectural building industries. We actively advise and assist these institutions and industry sectors in their efforts to green their purchasing, operations, and facilities management functions.

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. Products only become Green Seal certified after rigorous testing and evaluation, including on-site plant visits. Green Seal's specific programs include:

• Standards and Certification — development of environmental leadership standards for specific product categories and certification of products and services that meet them

   

• Greening Your Government — technical assistance to all levels of government in their purchasing, operations, and facilities management

   

• Choose Green Reports — technical reports on products in a variety of categories giving specific brand recommendations of those that meet screening criteria

   

• Greening the Lodging Industry — long-term project with hotels and motels to green their operations and purchasing, including certification of specific properties

   

• Policy — leadership in green procurement policy (product recommendations), international policy for ecolabeling, etc.

Green Seal's standard-setting process is open, collaborative, fair, and completely transparent. We don't develop our standards in an ivory tower. We have many built-in checks that ensure we are unbiased, realistic, and that the products we certify reach high levels of performance and quality. Learn more about how we certify products.

• Green Seal develops its standards with widespread input from industry, government, academia, and the public.

   

• A new standard is broadly circulated for review and comment to a diverse group of stakeholders, including manufacturers, trade associations, universities, environmental and consumer groups, government officials, and the public.

   

• When the final standard is published, we provide a written response to all the comments received, and open the standard to a formal appeal.

   

• We periodically review and update our standards to reflect advances in technology and the marketplace.

Green Seal depends on public support to maintain the highest quality service and standards. We welcome contributions from individuals and institutions. Call 202-872-6400 to find out how you can make a donation, or click here.

Source: Greenseal Website