GS-
37

Cleaning Products for Industrial and Institutional Use

Standard Revision in Progress:

  • A 45-day comment period closed on January 22, 2022. Green Seal is now reviewing stakeholder input. Details on the proposed revisions to this standard can be found on the Standard Projects page.

WHAT GREEN SEAL CERTIFIES

Green Seal’s GS-37 leadership standard means a general-purpose cleaning product is safer for human health and the environment compared to conventional alternatives while providing uncompromising cleaning performance. It covers all-purpose, glass, bathroom, carpet, and biologically-active (enzymatic and microbial) products intended for routine cleaning of offices, institutions, warehouses, and industrial facilities. Download the full GS-37 standard.

PERFORMANCE OF GREEN

Our standards ensure the product performs as well as or better than other nationally recognized or market-leading products of its type for equivalent usages. All Green Seal-certified products must demonstrate an effective level of cleaning performance via an objective, scientifically validated method conducted under controlled and reproducible laboratory conditions. 

  • All-purpose cleaners must meet soil removal thresholds under ASTM D4488.
  • Glass cleaners must meet a rating level of 3 in each of the Consumer Specialty Products Association DCC 09 categories: soil removal, smearing, streaking.
  • Bathroom cleaners must meet soil removal thresholds under ASTM D5343.
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Resources

standard revisions

Latest Version: Edition 7.7, November 11, 2021

Recent Changes: GS-37 underwent corrections and/or clarifications and was re-published on January 28, 2022. For details on the non-substantive changes made to this standard, please see the Standard Documents Library.

Full Standard
Green Seal Compass
CLIMATE Preserve the HEALTH Protect human WASTE Minimize WATER Ensure clean
criteria that help preserve the climate
Many of the standards for human health, minimizing waste and ensuring clean water also help preserve the climate:

  • Content limits on volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
  • Prohibition on ozone-depleting compounds
  • Limit on phosphorus
  • Reduced/recycled packaging
  • Concentrated products
Restrictions to prevent adverse health effects
Acute Toxicity (Oral) LD50 > 5,000 mg/kg
Acute Toxicity (Inhalation) LC50 > 20 mg/L at 1 hour
Skin and Eye Damage pH of > 2.0 but less than 11.5; Must not be corrosive to skin or eyes
Skin Sensitization Must not be a skin sensitizer
Skin Absorption Sum of ingredients with skin notations restricted to <1%
Asthmagens Prohibited above 100ppm (separate criteria for enzymes)
Chronic Inhalation Toxicity Must not cause adverse health effects following chronic inhalation exposure
Ozone Depleting Compounds Prohibited above 100ppm
Volatile Organic Compounds Restricted to 0.5% (all-purpose cleaners); Restricted to 1% or limit set in CARB (glass cleaners), Restricted to 1% (bathroom and ready-to-use carpet cleaners), Restricted to 0.1% (dilutable carpet cleaners)
Carcinogens Cannot be intentionally added at any level
Mutagens Cannot be intentionally added at any level
Reproductive Toxins Cannot be intentionally added at any level
Alkylphenol Ethoxylates Prohibited above 100ppm
2-butoxyethanol Prohibited above 100ppm
Phthalates Prohibited above 100ppm and must not be intentionally added to plastic packaging
Selenium Prohibited above 100ppm
Hexavalent Chromium Prohibited above 100ppm and must not be intentionally added to packaging
Lead Prohibited above 100ppm and must not be intentionally added to packaging
Mercury Must not be intentionally added to packaging
Cadmium Must not be intentionally added to packaging
Bisphenol A Must not be intentionally added to plastic packaging
Chlorinated Materials Must not be intentionally added to plastic packaging
Colorants Cannot contain intentionally added heavy metals
Enzymes Products containing enzymes must meet additional criteria
Microorganisms Products containing microorganisms must meet additional criteria
Restrictions to prevent adverse environmental effects
Acute Toxicity to Aquatic Life LC50 > or = 100mg/L for algae, daphnia, or fish
Aquatic Biodegradability Each organic ingredient must readily biodegrade
Bioaccumulating Compounds Prohibited above 100ppm
Eutrophication Sum of total phosphorus restricted to < or = 0.5%
Optical Brighteners Prohibited above 100ppm
restrictions to prevent packaging waste
Plastic Must be either source-reduced, recyclable, contain at least 25% post-consumer material or be a refillable package with an effective take-back program
Non-Plastic Must be either recyclable or contain at least 25% post-consumer material
Concentrates Must be concentrated to 1:32 level for all-purpose cleaners (spray bottles and other ready-use-packaging is prohibited); Must be concentrated to at least 1:16 level for other cleaners (toilet bowl/urinal cleaners, dry/absorbent compound cleaners and spot removers are exempt)
Aerosol Cans Packaging is prohibited
Recycling Labelling Plastic packages must be marked with appropriate Resin Identification Code

A GREEN YOU CAN TRUST

All Green Seal-certified products must meet industry best practices for Quality and Safety.

Combustibility

Fragrances

Animal Testing

Proper Use Training

Labelling

Safety Data Sheets
Our standards are referenced by the leading green building certification programs.