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Green Seal
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| LABEL REPORT CARD |
| How meaningful is the label? |
Is the label verified? |
Is the meaning of the label consistent? |
Are the label standards publicly available? |
Is information about the organization publicly available? |
Is the organization free from conflict of interest? |
Was the label developed with broad public and industry input? |
| Highly |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
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LABEL CATEGORY:
Sustainable Wood |
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WHERE YOU'LL FIND THIS LABEL:
 CLEANING PRODUCTS
FLOOR, FURNITURE & WOOD CLEANERS
: carpet and rug cleaners
GLASS & METAL CLEANERS
: glass and window cleaners
KITCHEN & BATHROOM CLEANERS
: all-purpose cleaners
 PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS
SKIN CARE PRODUCTS
: soaps
 WOOD
PAPER
: napkins, paper, paper - newsprint, paper (packaging), paper towels, toilet paper
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WHAT THIS LABEL MEANS:
Green Seal is an independent organization whose purpose is to set standards for and certify a wide variety of environmentally sound products. Its standards are designed to address the environmental impacts of a product from manufacturing to use to disposal. Green Seal standards for paper products include criteria in four areas: for performance, environmental impact, packaging, and labeling. Each type of paper product must meet specific recycling and bleaching standards.
Note that cleaning and personal hygiene categories will be detailed soon.
Standards are developed by Green Seal and then circulated for comment to all interested stakeholders. Once comments are received, Arthur Weissman, President of Green Seal, Inc. takes those comments into consideration and publishes a final standard. Green Seal has an explicit conflict of interest policy which prohibits a manufacturer of any Green Seal certified product from serving on the Green Seal board of directors. This policy also prohibits any staff or board members from having a financial interest in the manufacturer or sale of certified products.
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CONSUMERS UNION EVALUATION:
The standards for the Green Seal label are clear and meaningful in support of sustainable wood. Every paper product must meet a specific set of criteria making the label consistent in meaning from product to product. The criteria are transparent since they are publicly available. The Green Seal logo found on paper products must also contain a description of the basis for certification. The logo on paper products also includes a statement regarding the type of recycled material used (e.g. post-consumer or recovered material content). Green Seal's conflict of interest policy is sound. Green Seal's sources of support ensure that it is independent from the product that is certified. Standards also have multiple stakeholder input through its comment process.
Note that cleaning and personal hygiene categories will be detailed soon.
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PROGRAM NAME:
Green Seal |
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ORGANIZATION NAME AND CONTACT INFO:
Green Seal (GS)
1001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 827
Washington, DC
20036-5525
Phone: 202-872-6400
Fax: 202-872-4324
URL: www.greenseal.org
Email Contact: greenseal@greenseal.org
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ORGANIZATION SUMMARY:
HISTORY
Green Seal, Inc. certifies a wide range of products for environmental attributes. Green Seal sets standards for each product that define how products that qualify for the seal must reduce environmental impacts associated with conventional (non-certified) products. Green Seal also encourages the purchasing of environmentally responsible products. Green Seal began in 1989.
FUNDING
Green Seal receives support for its program from certification fees, foundations, government grants and contracts and individual donations. Green Seal does not receive any general support donations from corporations. Companies may participate in the Green Seal Environmental Partners program, a fee for service program, which provides materials to corporations on green purchasing decisions.
STRUCTURE
Green Seal has a board of directors that may weigh in on various issues. However, the board is not directly involved in changes to the standards. Arthur Weissman, CEO, acts as the final arbiter after public (including industry, government, etc) comment has been made. There is a process and committee in place for appeals, but to date, no standard has ever been appealed.
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LABEL STANDARDS AND CRITERIA DETAIL:
click here for label standard - criteria test and analysis
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Gary Petersen- Chair, Green Seal Board of Directors
Joanne Fox-Przeworski, Ph.D- Secretary, Green Seal Board of Directors
Paul Walitsky, CHMM- Treasurer, Green Seal Board of Directors
Arthur B. Weissman, Ph.D.- President and CEO, Green Seal, Inc
Hal Conklin- Director of Public Affairs, Southern California Edison, President , California Center for Civic Renewal
Chad Dobson- Executive Director , Bank Information Center
Riva Krut-Director of Sustainability, Praxair, Inc
Michele Perrault- Vice President, International Relations- Sierra Club
Eugene Tseng, J.D.- Environmental Attorney, Program Director of Recycling & Municipal Solid Waste Management -UCLA
Gary Davis- Environmental Attorney
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