by Shane Henson — August 12, 2011—EcoLogo has revised the requirements manufacturers of hard-surface cleaners must meet to carry the EcoLogo certification mark, allowing facilities managers in a wide variety of building types to choose hard-surface cleaners that are even more environmentally friendly and won’t harm workers’ health.
EcoLogo, one of North America’s most recognizable eco-labels, recently released its newly revised environmental standard for hard-surface cleaners that limits products containing asthmagens, or chemicals known to trigger or aggravate asthma.
EcoLogo’s EcoLogo Program develops standards designed to reduce environmental impacts by specifying criteria for safer chemicals and materials; use of recycled and recyclable materials; and minimizing pollution generated by the production, use and disposal of these products and their packaging. Certification to the EcoLogo Program can provide a competitive advantage for manufacturers as growing numbers of governments, institutions and purchasing groups continue to implement environmental purchasing policies.
According to EcoLogo, the revised standard for hard-surface cleaners strengthens the health and environmental requirements for certification of hard-surface cleaners by specifically limiting the use of asthmagens and excluding substances that are harmful to humans or the environment. These include ammonia, formaldehyde and phthalates—hazardous chemicals commonly found in cleaning products.
This broad-reaching standard covers a variety of products used in institutional and commercial environments and other areas. It includes general purpose, bathroom and glass cleaners, as well as dish detergents, degreasers and cleaners for cooking appliances. The standard also includes industrial, vehicle and boat cleaners.
