Update: The third public comment period for the Healthy Green Schools & Colleges Standard has ended. Green Seal accepted public comments between August 15, 2022 and August 30, 2022.
The Proposed Criteria and supplementary documents are available on Green Seal’s Standard Projects page.
Green Seal and Healthy Schools Campaign are proposing several improvements to our Healthy Green Schools & Colleges™ standard criteria. These updates are intended to clarify and consolidate standard criteria; better address differences between K-12 school districts and higher education institutions, and provide more flexibility for schools to implement measures that foster healthy indoor environments for students and staff. The proposed updates are available for public comment through August 30th, 2022.
The pilot Healthy Green Schools & Colleges standard has been publicly available since March to any school district or university to use to improve indoor air quality in their facilities. Since then, the 9 school districts and 10 colleges and universities that signed on as Early Adopters during the development of the pilot standard have been formally implementing it to provide feedback on its usability, market relevance and any unnecessary barriers to certification.
The Healthy Green Schools & Colleges Program
The standard is the centerpiece of a comprehensive program launching in September to support school facility management professionals in transforming the health and sustainability of school campuses.
First, a self-assessment tool will allow schools to objectively measure their current indoor environmental health and sustainability performance., while guidebooks, trainings, and tools will help facility professionals determine and take the next steps. Then, the standard’s points-based scoring system encourages schools to keep improving at their own pace, with support from a network of facility management peers across the country who are on a similar journey.
Schools that reach the top level of achievement can apply for third-party certification, earning public recognition for their verified expertise in providing healthy school environments.
Seeking Feedback
Green Seal welcomes public input on the following proposed updates to the standard:
- 1.2 Determine a Representative Sample
- 1.3 Plan Development
- 3.2.1.2 ATP Monitoring
- 3.2.2.1 Supply Labeling and Cleaning Procedures
- 3.2.2.3 Daily Logging
- 3.2.3.2 Detergent Dispensing
- 3.2.6 Outdoor Surfaces
- 3.3.2 Periodic or Restorative Maintenance
- 3.6.1 Proper Material Handling and Storage Practices
- 3.6.3 Spill Kits
- 3.7.1.1 General Powered Equipment Standard Operating Procedures
- 3.8 Integrated Pest Management
- 4.1.1 HVAC System Maintenance
- 4.1.2 Systems Able to Meet Outdoor Air Inflow Rates
- 4.2.2 Potable Water Testing
- 4.2.5 Dormant Buildings
- Section 5 Monitoring and Evaluation
- 5.1 IAQ Monitoring
- 5.1.2.1 CO2 Monitoring
- 5.2.2.3 Building Occupant Engagement
- 5.1.3 Reporting on IAQ Issues
We develop standards through an open and transparent process that includes extensive stakeholder outreach and opportunities for public input.
The public comment period is open until August 30, 2022. We publish all formally submitted comments, as well as a response to each substantive issue identified by commenters.
