GS-53
SPECIALTY CLEANING PRODUCTS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL USE
Standard Revision in Progress:
Green Seal is revising the requirements for microbial-based cleaning products, located in Annex E of this standard. Details on the proposed revision to this standard can be found on the Standard Revisions page.
WHAT GREEN SEAL CERTIFIES
Green Seal’s GS-53 leadership standard means a specialty surface cleaning product or odor remover is safer for human health and the environment than similar products while providing uncompromising performance. It covers products intended for routine cleaning of specialty surfaces and usage in and around institutions, warehouses, and industrial facilities including but not limited to graffiti removers, motor vehicles, optical lens, outdoor furniture, ovens, and upholstery. Download the full GS-53 standard.
Green Seal is in active discussions with U.S. EPA on expanding Green Seal certification options for EPA-regulated sanitizers and disinfectants, and is temporarily suspending accepting new applications for certification of antimicrobial solutions sold in the U.S. while these discussions are underway. Green Seal continues to encourage use of products that include the active ingredients in the Safer Disinfecting Ingredients Fact Sheet.
PERFORMANCE OF GREEN
Our standard ensures the product performs for its intended use. 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. Certain product types must meet performance thresholds following approved ASTM or Consumer Specialty Products Association methods, or demonstrate they perform just as well or better than a nationally recognized or market-leading product.
SCIENCE OF GREEN
Our Green Seal Compass guides every certification. Our science-based standards define sustainability leadership in the marketplace and reward industry innovations. Only the healthiest, most responsible, and most effective products achieve the Green Seal. The Green Seal Compass focuses our standards on key impacts that occur throughout the product life cycle, from raw materials extraction and manufacturing to packaging, use and disposal.
| RESTRICTIONS TO PREVENT ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS | |
|---|---|
| Acute Toxicity (Oral) | LD50 > 5,000 mg/kg |
| Acute Toxicity (Inhalation) | LC50 > 20,000 ppmV 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) |
| Respiratory Sensitizers | Prohibited above 100ppm |
| Ozone Depleting Compounds | Cannot be intentionally added at any level |
| Volatile Organic Compounds | Restricted to < 1% or limit set in CARB for product type |
| Inhalation Toxicity | Must not cause adverse health effects following chronic inhalation exposure |
| 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 |
| Neurotoxins / Systemic Toxins | Cannot be intentionally added at any level |
| Endocrine Disruptors | Cannot be intentionally added at any level |
| Alkylphenol Ethoxylates | Cannot be intentionally added at any level |
| 2-butoxyethanol | Cannot be intentionally added at any level |
| o-Phenylphenol | Cannot be intentionally added at any level |
| Halogenated Organic Solvents | Cannot be intentionally added at any level |
| Nitro-musks | Cannot be intentionally added at any level |
| Polycyclic Musks | Cannot be intentionally added at any level |
| Triclosan | Cannot be intentionally added at any level |
| Toxic Release Inventory Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic Chemicals | Cannot be intentionally added at any level |
| Colorants | Cannot contain any intentionally added heavy metals |
| Phthalates | Cannot be intentionally added at any level and must not be intentionally added to primary packaging |
| Bisphenol A | Must not be intentionally added to primary packaging |
| Chlorinated Materials | Must not be intentionally added to primary packaging |
| Hexavalent Chromium | Cannot be intentionally added at any level and must not be intentionally added to primary packaging |
| Lead | Cannot be intentionally added at any level and must not be intentionally added to primary packaging |
| Mercury | Must not be intentionally added to primary packaging |
| Selenium | Cannot be intentionally added at any level |
| Cadmium | Must not be intentionally added to primary packaging |
| Enzymes | Products containing enzymes must meet additional criteria |
| Microorganisms | Products containing microorganisms must meet additional criteria |
| REQUIREMENTS TO PREVENT WASTE | |
|---|---|
| Plastic Packaging | 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 Packaging | Must be either recyclable or contain at least 25% post-consumer material |
| Aerosol Packaging | Recycling programs must be available for packaging where product is sold |
| Use Labelling | Must have detailed instructions for proper use to minimize waste |
| Recycling Labelling | Plastic packages must be marked with appropriate Resin Identification Code and have clear recycling instructions for disposal |
| 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 |
| CRITERIA THAT HELP PRESERVE THE CLIMATE | |
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Many of the standards for human health, minimizing waste, and ensuring clean water also help preserve the climate:
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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.
Latest Version: Edition 2.6, April 8, 2020
Recent Changes: GS-53 underwent corrections and/or clarifications and was re-published on July 30, 2021. For details on the non-substantive changes made to this standard, please see the Standard Documents Library.
Download the Full Standard PDF