It’s clear that cleaning products are a necessity for maintaining attractive and healthy conditions in the workplace. While there are aesthetic benefits of cleaning, the removal of dust, allergens and infectious agents is also imperative to maintaining a healthy indoor environment. However, some cleaning products can present several health and environmental concerns, such as containing chemicals associated with eye, skin, or respiratory irritation while being harmful to the environment. Green cleaning products that are third-party certified can aid in reducing human health and environmental concerns that can come with cleaning.

Green cleaning products can be easily and quickly identified thanks to their ecolabels. However, it’s important to interpret vague, generic claims on products like “environmentally friendly,” “eco safe” or “green.” Terms like these could be signs of greenwashing, which is disinformation disseminated by an organization to present an environmentally responsible public image. Therefore, it should become standard to look for products that offer third-party certification on their labels.

What is Third-Party Product Testing?

Third-party product testing is a quality control process that enables an independent company, or third-party to check for all product quality and safety issues that could potentially pose a risk to the public. It also aims to verify a product is compliant with the mandates of all relevant regulatory agencies.

While some companies tend to run their own quality control processes in-house, third-party product testing is important because it provides unbiased information from outside sources. Thanks to this process, manufacturers and regulatory agencies can be certain their results haven’t been manipulated. Additionally, manufacturers can rely on the fact that their product has received a second opinion, reviewing the product for whatever might have otherwise been missed. In this sense, they can now rest easy knowing their product is safe to sell to the public.

Independent product testing aids in validating the effectiveness of the product itself. These dedicated testing organizations have a habit of testing with specialized equipment that the manufacturer may not have access to. Testing staff are also specially trained and experienced, making product testing more accurate. This is a level of expertise that in-house quality control may not always be able to offer. Third-party testing is a crucial element in ensuring the delivery of a safe and effective product.

Green Cleaning Product Certifications

Cleaning products branded with a certified ecolabel have been declared safer for human health and the environment by an environmental authority. These certifications are given to products that have achieved designated environmental standards, most related to biodegradability, low volatile organic compound (VOC) content, low toxicity, less water and air pollution and low energy usage. These qualities ultimately attribute less risk of hazardous exposure to custodial workers and building occupants.

To avoid greenwashing, it’s important to closely read the labels of products because some may try to pull off the appearance of being green when they aren’t. It should be easy to locate a certification logo like Green Seal, EPA Safer Choice, or ECOLOGO, the three most common certifications that cover thousands of cleaning products.

UL Environmental Claims Validation

It's estimated that the United States has generated 44 million metric tons of plastic waste to date. In July 2022, two of ABCO’s product lines earned UL Environmental Claims Validation, making ABCO the first in the industry to do so for its Natura Lobby Dustpan and Large Natura Broom Head. The UL Environmental Claim Validation is one of the world’s most trusted names in product safety certification. Through its Environmental Claim Validation (ECV) program, business leaders can leverage the UL ECV Mark to differentiate products and services in their industry.

Green is the New Black

Certified green cleaning products promote a healthier indoor working environment while also effectively reducing the risks associated with infectious agents. To ensue your facility cleaning team’s tools are properly designated as green, look for third-party certified products that are tested by outside sources. This will help avoid purchasing products that have been “greenwashed” or made to appear as though they’ve been certified.

Working with organizations that seek out third party validations such as Green Seal and the UL Environmental Claim Validation will support your green cleaning endeavors and a healthier, cleaner environment. For more information on third-party certified green cleaning tools, visit www.abcoproducts.com or contact us at (888) 694-2226 today.