PRODUCT CERTIFICATIONS

ABOUT PRODUCT LABELS

Making Your Way Through the Maze of Eco-Labels
A.R.E. Green Guide article explaining the most common labels in the retail environments industry.

What to Look for in Green Product Certification
Sustainable Life Media article for purchasers outlining the main desired attributes of a product certification.

The Green Standard EcoLibrary Matrix
Eco-label scope, lifecycle, and transparency ratings pertinent to material purchasers from the non-profit Green Standard.

GBP Initiative Product Labeling
Ecolabel certification data pertinent to manufacturers considering certification from the non-profit Green Building Alliance.

Getting Green: The Certification Process
WoodDigest article with tips on getting products such as cabinets certified as FSC Chain of Custody (principles may apply to some store fixtures).

SPECIFIC PRODUCT LABELS

CAN/CSA Z809
Canada's national standard on sustainable forest management.

Climate Cool™
Certification for products, services, and enterprises that offset greenhouse gas emissions.

88 EcoLogo
Certification of the Environmental Choice Program, Environment Canada's ecolabelling program, for environmentally preferable products including flooring, paints and finishes, raw materials, HVAC systems, and other building products.

ENERGY STAR
Designation for energy-efficient lighting and other products through a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.

EPP Grademark
Composite Panel Association certification program for wood composite products that use recycled and/or recovered wood fiber and adhere to voluntarily lower formaldehyde emission standards than government regulations.

EPP Downstream
Composite Panel Association certification program for facilities that purchase at least 50% CPA EPP certified composite wood products.

Floorscore
Certification developed by the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) in conjunction with Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) regarding a product's impact on indoor air quality.

FSC
Two types of Forest Stewardship Council certificates available from FSC-accredited certification bodies: Forest Management (FM) and Chain of Custody (COC).

FSC Chain of Custody
Forest Stewardship Council certification regarding the source of a forest product.

FSC Controlled Wood
Forest Stewardship Council designation regarding the source of wood. Controlled Wood is not FSC-certified.

FSC Forest Management
Forest Stewardship Council certification regarding forest management.

Green Label and Green Label Plus
Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) certification designating low-emitting carpets, adhesives, and cushions.

Green Seal Certification
Certifications for commercial adhesives, paints, anti-corrosive paints, recycled content latex paints, compact fluorescent lamps, and other products.

GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified®
Product certification program for low-emitting interior building materials, furnishings, and finish systems.

GreenSure™
Sherwin-Williams proprietary designation for its low-VOC and VOC-free finishes that meet the manufacturer's environmentally preferable

ISO 14001
International standards on environmental management against which an organization can be certified by a third party.

MBDC Cradle to Cradle Certification
McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry certification of achievement in environmentally intelligent product design considering use of environmentally safe and healthy materials; design for material reutilization, such as recycling or composting; use of renewable energy and energy efficiency; efficient use of water, and maximum water quality associated with production; and strategies for social responsibility.

SCS Biodegradability
Scientific Certification Systems certification regarding the biodegradability of a product.

SCS Sustainable Choice
Scientific Certification Systems certification regarding the environmental aspects of a carpet or building product.

Sustainable Carpet
Scientific Certification Systems certifications for carpeting and rugs.