Green Seal and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have enlisted others to improve their green cleaning practices and issues.

First, Green Seal’s GS-37 standard has concluded the first round of public voting on possibly revising several issues.

One revision would require all concentrated products used in dispensing systems to meet human health criteria. These products are currently allowed to meet the same criteria in a diluted form.

Another point of contention is revising the term “concentrate” as it relates to GS-37. Right now GS-37 calls for a dilution ratio of 1:8. The proposal is that products must be diluted by at least 32 parts by volume of water prior to the intended use.

Green Seal is also proposing to add to the list of prohibited ingredients. The proposal calls for a ban on phthalates and nitro-musks along with limitations on the amount of d-limonene in their cleaning products.

Comments and votes on the draft proposed revised standard will be due May 30. Green Seal aims to release the final revised standard by June 6. The voting is only open to distributors who participated in first round voting.

While Green Seal is looking to improve its cleaning criteria, the EPA created the Safer Detergents Stewardship Initiative (SDSI) to recognize those who commit to use safer surfactants.

The EPA’s Design for the Environment (DfE) Program will recognize businesses that produce or use surfactants. It will also honor those businesses that distribute and purchase products that contain surfactants.

The SDSI is recognizing those participants under the categories of Champion and Partner. As a Champion, the participant is invited to an awards ceremony, gets listed on the EPA SDSI Web site as a Champion, and the company can use a special logo on its literature to explain participation in the program.

Companies awarded Partner status will be recognized on the EPA’s SDSI Web site for Champion status in the future.

 

SM To Be Media Sponsor For 2009 Pulire Asia Trade Show

Trade Press Publishing Corp., Milwaukee, parent company of Sanitary Maintenance magazine announced that the publication will be working in conjunction with the Italian Association of Professional Cleaning Equipment Manufacturers (Afidamp FAB) as the official media sponsor for the 2009 Pulire Asia trade show.

The show will be held March 31-April 2, 2009 in Singapore. It will feature cleaning technologies and related materials, products and new advancements in the cleaning industry along with a two-day educational conference.

“Sanitary Maintenance is the leading media outlet in the U.S. commercial cleaning industry — thousands of American cleaning product distributors and manufacturers rely on this vital resource every month,” said Pasquale Bova, trade commissioner with the Italian Trade Commission’s Chicago office. “The Sanitary Maintenance brand is strong and will help reinforce Pulire as the signature event serving the Asian cleaning industry.”

Pulire Asia is a member of the well-known family of Afidamp events, including the organization’s flagship show in Europe, Pulire.

As the official media sponsor, SM will provide assistance in building awareness for Pulire Asia through newsworthy publicity in the magazine and its Web site, CleanLink.com.

 

 

MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

Nilfisk-Advance, Malvern, Pa., purchased U.S. HydraMaster, Mukilteo, Wash., a manufacturer of truck-mounted carpet cleaners. Additional terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Supreme Industrial Products Inc., Taunton, Mass., acquired the sales and distribution operations of Spectrowax Corp., Brighton, Mass., in the New England and Mid Atlantic states.

As part of the acquisition, the company will have exclusive rights to distribute Spectrowax manufactured chemicals and cleaning products in those areas.

Richard N. Stern was named the new CEO and Steven C. Stern was appointed president.

 

 




POSTED ON: 4/1/2008