Green Seal, Inc. is in the process of revising GS-37, the Environmental Standard for Industrial and Institutional Cleaners and seeks public review and input on the proposed revisions. The aim of the revision is to maintain the leadership level of the standard, which involves bringing the standard up-to-date so it more adequately represents current technology available in the market, and to ensure that the standard fully protects vulnerable populations such as children.  The Proposed Revised Standard is now available for public review and Green Seal welcomes comment from the public through an open and transparent process that aims to achieve consensus among all stakeholders.  Comments will be submitted through an online forum system, as detailed below.  

The Proposed Revised Standard is open for comment until January 16, 2008.  The forum will be closed for comments after January 16th, and no additional comments will be accepted after this date.  The Proposed Revised Standard, along with a background document providing information about the proposed changes, is available on the Green Seal web site: http://www.greenseal.org/certification/gs37_iicleanersstandard_dev.cfm

Green Seal considers each written comment with regard to the substantive issues and merits, conducts follow-up research as needed, and revises the proposal accordingly, with a written response to the comment or group of comments on the issue.  In Green Seal’s experience, the process of commenting, discussing issues, and resolving issues is most critical for the success of a standard.  To post comments on the on-line forum, one must register to use the forum.  All users will be able to view all the comments and the name of the commenter.  Forum user registration is open to all interested parties until the deadline.  To register as a user and access the forum:
• Click on http://green-seal.org/standards  
• Register an account; for the username please use your first initial, then a space, and full last name (e.g., J Smith); select “GS-37 Standard Development”; review the disclaimer information; click Register.
• You should receive a welcome email from the Green Seal Development Forum within one business day.

Green Seal will also accept comments by email, fax and postal mail. Any comments received in these formats will be posted to the online forum by Green Seal staff.  Such comments will be viewable by forum participants by the name of the commenter.  Please refer to specific sections on which you have comments, include copies of any supporting documentation, and send your comments to:
Green Seal, Inc.
Attn: GS-37 Revision
1001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 827
Washington, DC 20036
By fax: (202) 872-4324 (please fax no more than 10 pages)
By email: GS37@greenseal.org with “Comments on Proposed Revision” in the subject header.

Green Seal anticipates issuing the revised final standard in April 2008.  Beginning on December 21, 2007, any preliminary applications received for Green Seal certification under GS-37 will be added to a waiting list and those applicants will be sent a copy of the revised final standard once it is issued.