Cleaning products can present several health and environmental hazards. They may contain chemicals associated with eye, skin, respiratory irritation, or other human health issues.
Buyers want to know what chemicals are in cleaning products and whether they can be trusted. They want transparency around ingredients, end products and related supply network insights.
Consumers worry about the chemicals found in the products they use, and transparency of ingredients is becoming a demand driver. They pay more attention to information on labels. They compare product ingredients and the risks associated with specific components.
What can help the cleaning industry meet market expectations and build confidence?
Using green cleaning products can help reduce the human health and environmental concerns that come along with cleaning.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, ecolabels1 are a good tool to help purchasers quickly and easily identify products that are "greener". However, it is important for consumers to be careful in interpreting vague or generic claims on products such as "environmentally friendly," "eco safe," or "green" (also known as "greenwashing")2.
UL ECOLOGO® Certification to UL 2700, the Standard for Sustainability for Cleaning Products
The ECOLOGO® Certification offers numerous advantages for manufacturers. Criteria consolidated in the UL 2700 Standard establish general requirements for human health and environmental criteria for industrial, institutional, and consumer cleaning and cleaning-related products.
These requirements are designed to support a continuing effort to improve and/or maintain environmental quality and health impacts by reducing energy and materials consumption and by minimizing the impacts of pollution generated by the production, use and disposal of goods and services covered under the scope of the Standard.
In addition, the following general criteria cover:
- Expanded list of prohibited ingredients, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), antibacterial ingredients as preservatives, and microplastics
- Restricted compounds criteria updated to reflect the latest REACH and California Proposition 65 requirements
- Updated volatile organic compounds limit criteria, as applicable
- Compliance with requirements of Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (for raw materials > 1%)
- Total organic fluorine limitations
- Compliance with California Cleaning Product Right to Know Act
- Strengthened packaging and labeling requirements
- Updates to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) and test method references
The products that are eligible for the UL ECOLOGO® Certification program to the UL 2700 Standard include:
Hard surface cleaners
Dish-related cleaners
Carpet and upholstery care products
Laundry care
Odor control products
Why UL ECOLOGO Mark to UL 2700 for cleaning products?
UL ECOLOGO has been a trusted environmental Mark for more than 30 years. The program evolved from a government oversight program in Canada into a rigorous private label program for products with reduced environmental impact. The ECOLOGO Mark signals to consumers, business buyers and government agencies that companies meet exacting environmental standards.
Related standards
You can learn more about the new UL 2700 Standard here.
Other cleaning products related standards:
- UL 2783 Instant Hand Antiseptics
- UL 2784 Hand Cleaners
- UL 2794 Disinfectants and Disinfectant Cleaners
- UL 2830 Septic Tank Additives
References
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