by Jbs092608a3 — September 29, 2008—Green Seal has released the revision of GS-37—its environmental standard for institutional and industrial cleaning products—with a particular focus on protecting sensitive and vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
This fourth revision since the original release in 2000 comes after more than a year and a half of stakeholder involvement, rigorous discussion, enhancements, and updates reflecting advances in cleaning technology, toxicology, health science, and awareness of health concerns.
GS-37 establishes environmental requirements for institutional and industrial general-purpose, restroom, glass, and carpet cleaners—products intended for routine cleaning of offices, institutions, warehouses, and industrial facilities. The revised standard criteria emphasize consideration of vulnerable populations in institutional settings such as schools, day-care facilities, nursing homes, and other facilities.
GS-37 also requires the products meet performance benchmarks set by organizations such as ASTM, the Carpet and Rug Institute, and the Consumer Specialty Products Association, and/or that products meet or exceed performance norms for conventional, nationally recognized products in the same category and at equivalent product-specific use directions.
GS-37 does not include cleaners for household use, food preparation operations, or medical facilities, nor does it apply to air fresheners or enzymatic or microbially active products or products required to be registered under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, such as those making claims as sterilizers, disinfectants, or sanitizers.
