The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that in an effort to better convey the scientific rigor of the agency's product evaluation and the benefits it brings to people and the environment, they are considering revamping the Design for the Environment (DfE) label. The goal is to design a label that is easier to display on products, materials and in digital media; that increases buyers' recognition of products recognized by the DfE program; and that encourages innovation and the development of safer chemicals and chemical-based products.

The logo DfE now uses shows the earth surrounded by the words “Design for the Environment U.S. EPA.” More than 2,500 detergents, floor polishes, deicers and other chemical-intensive products carry the label. But new options for a label are now displayed on the EPA website for consideration.

More than 1,700 comments have been made on the new designs for the label, but based on the comments listed, there is no clear winner. In fact, many comments suggest mixing various elements from the labels to create a new option.

According to ISSA reports, if any of the suggested labels were chosen, it would be the first time "safer" would appear on the DfE label. DfE is considering the following phrases for use on the new logo: “safer choice,” “safer chemistry,” “safer ingredient” or “safer product”.  Many individuals and several academicians supported the use of the word “safer” but differed on what the word “safer” should modify: choice, chemistry, ingredient or product.  Others commented that the use of the word “safer” would be inconsistent with the FTC policy on green marketing

Feedback from the public was closed as of October 31 and the EPA plans to announce the winning label within the coming months.

Click here to review the possible designs.