Last Summer, I warned of a dangerous trend of over-disinfecting buildings to reassure people about safety amid the pandemic – with minimal effectiveness at reducing virus spread and significant risks to people’s health from toxic chemicals. Now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its guidance to confirm that regular cleaning is preferable to disinfecting most of the time. When is disinfecting appropriate? The CDC now says to
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Microbial-Based Cleaning Products
Update: On November 11, 2021, Green Seal issued six standards with updated criteria for microbial-based cleaning products. Spray-applied microbial-based cleaning products are now eligible for Green Seal certification. All documents on this criteria revision can be found on Green Seal’s Library of Standards page. Green Seal is proposing several important improvements to our standard criteria for microbial-based
Cleaning Leader Diversey Shares Views on Ecolabelling
WHAT DOES SUSTAINABILITY MEAN TO DIVERSEY? As Diversey approaches 100 years of providing revolutionary cleaning and hygiene technologies, we’ve demonstrated that improving health and protecting the environment is good for business. Although it has been given many names since 1923, sustainability has been at the core of the value Diversey delivers to our customers. Energy
Nyco Products’ Bug Eliminator – Innovation Criteria
Update: The public comment period for Nyco Products Company has ended. Green Seal accepted public comments between November 18, 2020 and December 23, 2020. Learn more about Nyco Products Company and its product certification status on Green Seal’s Environmental Innovation Registry page. Nyco Products Company, a family-owned cleaning chemicals manufacturer, has applied for Green Seal’s
Why We’re Certifying Safer Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers
Green Seal is now certifying hand sanitizers that meet the highest standard for safety and performance in the marketplace. With the COVID-19 pandemic spurring many first-time producers to enter the market, the FDA has warned consumers to avoid hundreds of hand sanitizers because of high levels of hazardous ingredients including methanol (wood alcohol) and the contaminant 1-propanol.
A Trend in COVID-19 Cleaning Is Hazardous to Your Health
COVID-19 has precipitated a worrying cleaning trend that’s getting little airtime – excessive exposure to hazardous cleaning and disinfecting chemicals that itself can endanger health. To reassure people about the safety of indoor spaces during the pandemic, some workplaces are turning to unnecessary or even counterproductive cleaning and disinfection methods – a practice the Atlantic
Safer, Healthier Hand Sanitizers
Update: Green Seal accepted comments on our proposed health-focused requirements for alcohol-based hand sanitizers during a public comment period from July 30 to August 13. Green Seal published final criteria in GS-41 Hand Cleaners and Hand Sanitizers for Industrial and Institutional Use and GS-44 Soaps, Cleaners, Hand Sanitizers and Shower Products. Our Focus on Health Since
Kaivac Univac and AutoVac Stretch – Innovation Criteria
The public comment period for Kaivac has ended. Please see the final issued criteria here. Green Seal’s Environmental Innovation Program allows product manufacturers to explore environmental and health impacts, engage in transformative product innovation, and achieve global recognition to the newest sustainability standard. Kaivac, Inc is a member of the initial cohort of beta program
How to Safely Clean and Disinfect for Coronavirus
Are you concerned about properly disinfecting for coronavirus while also protecting people from the health risks associated with hazardous chemical exposure? Green Seal’s new Guidelines for Safer COVID-19 Cleaning and Disinfection spell out five effective and responsible cleaning practices for occupant health and safety during the pandemic. Improper cleaning and disinfection practices – such as
The Fairmont Chicago Reaps Benefits of Certification
In order to set smart and ambitious sustainability goals hotels generally find they must address unique infrastructure, operations, and purchasing challenges, often without a road map. Significant water, energy and cost savings, increases in corporate bookings, an improved guest experience, and higher staff morale are just some of the benefits that make the effort worthwhile.
Interview from the Front Lines: Cleaning for COVID-19
With cleaning workers on the front lines of the coronavirus crisis, Green Seal caught up with Michael Doherty, president of BMS Building Maintenance Service, to learn how the industry-leading green cleaning company is approaching the challenges of operating during a pandemic. Certified to Green Seal’s GS-42 commercial cleaning standard since 2014, BMS cleans more
Agile Methods Lead to Better Processes and Better Standards
In the last year, Green Seal has been reviewing our Standard Development Program to identify opportunities to accelerate market transformation through our standards. We’re excited to roll-out the first of several new and improved standard development tools planned for 2020. Today, we’re glad to introduce a new agile process that will allow us to quickly
Honoring the Custodial Workers Who Keep Our Schools Healthy
Right now, 15 states and 2 U.S. territories have ordered or recommended school building closures for the rest of the academic year due to concerns with the rapid spread of COVID-19. These closures have disrupted the formal education of approximately 55 million students across U.S. public and private institutions. But they have not slowed the
ABCO Natura Yarn Mop Heads – Innovation Criteria
Update: The public comment period for ABCO Products has ended. Green Seal accepted public comments between April 6, 2020 and May 7, 2020. Learn more about ABCO Products and its product certification status on Green Seal’s Environmental Innovation Registry page. Green Seal’s Environmental Innovation Beta Advisory Program allows product manufacturers to explore environmental and health impacts, engage
Serving Our Stakeholders During the COVID-19 Health Crisis
Green Seal is closely monitoring developments regarding the novel coronavirus COVID-19, which was declared a national emergency by the White House and a pandemic by the World Health Organization. During this emerging and rapidly changing situation, we rely on the CDC for updated information as it becomes available. Green Seal is committed to providing trusted
