Certification Standards

Required:

• Business core purpose includes a “green” business function.

• Social and environmental mission and vision statement for your business on website.

Preferred:

• Banking with a community development, minority, or socially & environmentally responsible bank or credit union.

• Protocols in place (e.g., trainings, HR policies, support group(s), statement of commitment, accountability mechanisms, etc.)  that advance justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) within the company.

Required:

• Biodegradable ingredients– best if certified by Scientific Certification Systems or Biodegradable.

• Scented with natural essential oils or clear indication of synthetic fragrances at minimum.

• Chlorine-free.

• No animal testing.

• If plant based surfactants used, explanation of what plants they are derived from in ingredients.

• Plant based surfactants may not be derived from GMO feedstocks, e.g. corn, beet sugar or soy.

• Non-toxic ingredients used, the following ingredients are not allowed:

  • Ammonium Hydroxide (corrosive, irritant)

  • Chlorine bleach (potentially fatal if ingested, number one cause of poisonings in children)

  • Formaldehyde (highly toxic; known carcinogen)

  • Hydrochloric acid (corrosive, eye and skin irritant)

  • Hydrochloric bleach (eye, skin and respiratory tract irritant)

  • Propylene Glycol (immunogen; main ingredient in antifreeze)

  • List all ingredients on packaging and website; if proprietary, at least MSD sheets offered

  • Offer unscented or fragrance-free, essential oil options

Required

•  Commitment to sustainable labor practices and continuous improvement and transparency in the process.

• Country of manufacture(s) disclosed on all products unless everything comes from one country and it is stated clearly on the front page of the website.

• Code of conduct in place that addresses social and environmental factory conditions with enforcement mechanism.

• Owned factories have an established worker representation mechanism.

•  Owned factories pay a wage that ensures workers well-being.

• Commitment to a transparent supply chain including sub-contracting.

• Long-term contracts with contracted manufacturers.

Preferred:

• Owned and/or contracted factories are certified fair labor or fair trade.

• Owned/contracted factories are unionized.

• Disclosed factory list publicly available.

• Factory labor is paid a living a wage.

Required:

• Environmentally and socially positive packaging.

• Packaging is recyclable or compostable.

• Packaging components are from recycled sources and used at minimum.

Preferred:

• Packaging can be taken back for reuse.

Required:

• Program in place to reduce emissions from company vehicles.

• Works with distributors that take steps to reduce emissions from vehicles and shipping.

Preferred:

• Company is an EPA SmartWay partner or affiliate.

• Company Works with distributors who are EPA SmartWay partners or affiliates.

Required:

• Employees have access to family friendly benefits including high-quality health insurance, sick days, paid parental leave and childcare help.

• Offer a flexible workplace culture that encourages work/life balance and makes reasonable accommodations for telecommuting and flex schedules.

• Pays a wage that ensures employees well-being.

• Has an established non-discrimination policy and procedure, and ensures an inclusive workplace culture.

• Governs fairly and in a transparent manner. Is open to employee input. Has a whistle blower protection policy in place.

Preferred:

• Living wage is paid.

• Has an established program that invests in employee growth and development.Item description

Required:

• Educates consumers on how to properly dispose of product at end of life-cycle.

• Use transparent and truthful marketing.

• Advocate for green business practices in cleaning products industry.

• Established program for receiving input from both internal and external stakeholders.

Preferred:

• Established take back program for end of product life-cycle.

• Actively seeks feedback from industry peers and participates in industry associations and mentor programs.

Required:

• HVAC system well-maintained, building well-insulated, and smart and efficient climate control employed.

• System in place for reducing electricity consumption from lighting and electronics.

• Use of Energy Star rated appliances and CFL/LED light bulbs in office.

• Use of 100% post-consumer recycled, Chlorine Free paper in the office and in all envelopes, marketing, and print materials.

• Systems in place for reducing paper use such as electronic processes, printers set with double sided printing as the default, and more.

• Use of only non-toxic cleaning and pest control products.

• Maximum amount of waste is reused or recycled including paper, plastic, metals, glass, electronics, and printer ink cartridges.

•  Action on clean energy such as purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) or use of on-site clean energy.

• Compost all food waste.

• Landscaping done with sustainability in mind, especially considering runoff and stormwater management.

• Only fair trade and USDA certified organic coffee and tea served in the office.

• Use of green or local caterers for events.

• Use of a certified E-Steward for electronics recycling.

• Proper disposal of hazardous materials (e.g., batteries, paint, motor oil, etc).

• Knowledge of recycling/composting guidelines at your local recycling/composting facility.