Most cleaning professionals have heard the expression "green certified" when selecting environmentally preferable cleaning chemicals. However, do we all know exactly what green certified means?
 
To help us better understand the certification process and its history, Enviro-Solutions has prepared the following Green Certification IQ test. To take the quiz, answer the following questions as best you can, then check your answers below to find out how well you did. The quiz takes about 2 minutes to complete.
 
1. The first green certification organizations appeared in the United States in which year?
1989
1994
1998
2000
 
2. Before certification organizations appeared, the most common way cleaning chemicals were certified was the following:
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would certify the product environmentally preferable.
The manufacturer would "self-certify" the product.
Trade associations and industry peer groups would certify the product.
The term was not used.
 
3. Before certification organizations were created, what was the problem with most green certifications?
They were not always accurate.
There were no universally accepted green standards or criteria.
They were not always conducted by independent laboratories.
All of the above.

4. In most cases today, for a product to be honored as green certified it means:
The product has been evaluated by a third-party organization using universally accepted, science-based standards at an independent approved laboratory.
The product has been evaluated by a certifying organization and laboratory using universally accepted, science-based standards.
The product has been manufactured using ingredients considered safer for the environment and the user.
All of the above.
 
5. The ultimate goal of using green-certified cleaning products is:
To protect indoor air and environmental quality, typically through the reduction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
To reduce cleaning's impact on the user, building occupants, visitors and the environment
To reduce the amount of nonrenewable ingredients needed to manufacture cleaning chemicals
All of the above
 
6. Once a product has been green certified by a leading certification organization, it can do which of the following?
Bear the "eco-label" of the certification organization
Market itself as green and environmentally preferable
Be used in facilities seeking LEED certification
All of the above
 
7. Green certification lasts how long?
As long as the product is being manufactured in the same manner
For two to five years, based on the specifications of the certification organization
For a set period that can vary by certifying body and/or until the green standards or criteria have been changed and/or the products formulation has changed
All cleaning chemicals must be re-certified every three years.

8. What is considered the number one benefit of green certification?
It has ended confusion in the marketplace as to what is green and which products are truly green.
It has opened up new marketing opportunities for chemical manufacturers.
It has helped make cleaning safer and healthier for users, building occupants and the environment.
The number of chemical-related injuries has been reduced since green-certified cleaning chemicals were introduced.
 
 
Answers: (In some cases there is more than one right answer; the following are the most correct answers)

1. 1989, Green Seal is regarded as the first green certification organization in the US
2. The manufacturer would "self-certify" the product.
3. All of the above.
4. The product has been evaluated by a third-party organization using universally accepted, science-based standards at an independent approved laboratory.
5. To reduce cleaning's impact on the user, building occupants and the environment
6. All of the above
7. For a set period that can vary by certifying body and/or until the green standards or criteria have been changed or the products formulation has changed
8. It has ended confusion in the marketplace as to what is green and which products are truly green.