Projects
Standards and Programs in Development
Revisions in progress
As a Type I ecolabel, we develop and maintain standards within an open and transparent process, aligned with best practices in standard development. We welcome comments from stakeholders and members of the public. Instructions for submitting comments are included within the proposal documents, available for download below.
- GS-1 Sanitary Paper Products – Standard Revision
Summary: The market for recycled fiber has undergone dramatic changes in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and impacts of the China Sword policy. Due to these changes, we are evaluating possible revisions to the sustainability criteria in our sanitary paper products standard, including the highly stringent recycled fiber requirements, to ensure they align with market needs as well as new sustainability opportunities for the product category. Through this revision, we will also explore potential certification pathways for sustainably sourced alternative fibers (e.g., bamboo) and will assess whether different leadership criteria are needed for the household market versus the away-from-home market.
Status: We are currently developing revised criteria with stakeholder and Working Group input. Learn more here. If you are interested in providing feedback or receiving updates on this standard revision, contact us. - PFAS Prohibition, Multi-Standard – Criteria Revision
Summary: PFAS are a large class of chemicals commonly used in consumer products and associated with a number of adverse health and environmental effects. As part of our phased approach to prohibit PFAS in certified products, we are now revising the following standards:
– Standard, Paints, Coatings, Stains, and Sealers (GS-11)
– Standard, Cleaning and Degreasing Agents (GS-34)
– Standard, Adhesives for Commercial Use (GS-36)
– Standard, Floor-Care Products for Industrial and Institutional Use (GS-40)
Status: Public comment is now open through December 20, 2024. Please go to the PFAS Prohibition page to view the Revision Proposal and submit a public comment.
Recently Completed Revisions and New Standards
2024
- Corrections and Clarifications Report (October 2024) Non-substantiative changes were made to GS-8, GS-37, GS-48, GS-50, GS-51, GS-52, GS-53, and GS-60.
- Trash Bags and Can Liners – Standard Revision (August 2024)
- Revised standard was issued on August 20
- See all revision documents in the Standards Documents Library
- Corrections and Clarifications Report (January 2024) Non-substantiative changes were made to GS-36, GS-40, and GS-60.
2023
- Standard Withdrawal: Paper Products Used for Food Preparation (GS-18), Food Service Packaging (GS-35), Recycled Latex Paint (GS-43) (December 2023)
- Standards were withdrawn on December 11, 2023
- Green Seal Response to Comments
- Withdrawal Proposal
- Corrections and Clarifications Report (October 2023) Non-substantiative changes were made to GS-11, GS-34, GS-37, GS-40, GS-44, GS-48, GS-50, GS-51, GS-52, and GS-53.
- Corrections and Clarifications Report (July 2023) Non-substantiative changes were made to GS-1, GS-7, GS-8, GS-11, GS-20, GS-33, GS-34, GS-36, GS-37, GS-40, GS-41, GS-42, GS-44, GS-48, GS-50, GS-51, GS-52, GS-53, and GS-60.
- Corrections and Clarifications Report (April 2023) Non-substantiative changes were made to GS-8, GS-20, GS-37, GS-41, GS-42, GS-48, GS-52, and GS-53.
- Trash Bags and Can Liners – New Standard (April 2023)
- New standard was issued on April 6
- See all revision documents in the Standards Documents Library
- Corrections and Clarifications Report (January 2023) Non-substantiative changes were made to GS-11, GS-41, and GS-52.
2022
- Corrections and Clarifications Report (October 2022) Non-substantiative changes were made to GS-11, GS-41, GS-44, and GS-53.
- Healthy Green Schools & Colleges (September 2022)
- New criteria were issued on September 29
- See all revision documents in the Standards Documents Library
- Corrections and Clarifications Report (July 2022) Non-substantiative changes were made to GS-37, GS-40, GS-48, GS-50, GS-51, GS-52, and GS-53.
- PFAS Prohibition in Cleaning and Personal Care Products (June 2022)
- New criteria were issued on June 23
- See all revision documents in the Standards Documents Library
- Corrections and Clarifications Report (April 2022) Non-substantiative changes were made to GS-11, GS-20, GS-52, and GS-53.
- Corrections and Clarifications Report (January 2022) Non-substantiative changes were made to GS-8, GS-37, GS-48, GS-51, GS-52, and GS-53.
2021
- Standard Withdrawal: Restaurants and Food Services (GS-55) (December 2021)
- Microbial-Based Cleaning Products – Criteria Revision (November 2021)
- New Criteria were issued on November 11
- See all revision documents in the Standards Documents Library
- Corrections and Clarifications Report (October 2021) Non-substantiative changes were made to GS-8, GS-37, GS-44, GS-48, GS-50, and GS-52.
- Paints, Coatings, Stains, and Sealers, GS-11, Edition 4.0 (September 2021)
- Standards Withdrawal: Coated Printing Paper (GS-10) (August 2021)
- Sanitary Paper Products, GS-1, Edition 6.4 (August 2021)
- Corrections and Clarifications Report (July 2021) Non-substantiative changes were made to GS-8, GS-11, GS-37, GS-41, GS-42, GS-44, GS-48, GS-50, GS-51, GS-52, and GS-53.
- Environmental Innovation, GS-20, Edition 2.1 (April 2021)
- Corrections and Clarifications Report (April 2021) Non-substantiative changes were made to GS-1, GS-8, GS-11, GS-37, GS-41, GS-42, GS-50, and GS-53. Additionally, all standards underwent non-substantiative changes to reference Green Seal’s updated Trademark Use Guidelines.
- Corrections and Clarifications Report (January 2021) Non-substantive changes were made to GS-11, GS-41, GS-42, GS-44, GS-50, GS-51, GS-52, and GS-53.
2020
- Corrections and Clarifications Report (October 2020) Non-substantive changes were made to GS-8, GS-37, GS-41, GS-42, GS-44, GS-48, and GS-51.
- Hand Sanitizer Criteria Standard Criteria (September 2020)
Please visit our Library of Standards Documents for more information on these and other standard revisions.