Greenguard

Evaluation Tool

Greenguard

Tool Category

Standards, Certifications & Labels

At a Glance

GREENGUARD certification offers performance-based product certification programs aimed at enhancing indoor air quality and reducing exposure to toxic chemicals and other pollutants. Products and materials are certified for low chemical emissions by meeting stringent chemical emissions standards based on criteria established by public health agencies.

Retailers and consumers can access a searchable database to find GREENGUARD certified products. 

Tool Website(s)

www.greenguard.org/en/index.aspx

Tool Owner/Sponsor

UL Environment 

Product Stage of Life Evaluated

Consumer use

Tool Description

GREENGUARD Certification establishes performance-based standards to identify products with low chemical and particle emissions for use indoors. The certification includes test methods, allowable emission levels, product sample collection and handling, testing type and frequency as well as program application processes and toxicity limits. These standards are primarily for building materials, finishes, interior furnishings, furniture, cleaning products and electronic equipment.

The certification programs include the basic GREENGUARD Certification for low-emitting products and GREENGUARD Gold Certification standard, which includes health-based standards for additional chemicals and also requires lower total VOC emissions levels to ensure that products are acceptable for use in schools and healthcare facilities.

GREENGUARD Private Label is an additional certification program that allows any company that wishes to re-brand or identify its private label with GREENGUARD Certification to use the certification mark after signing a Secondary Licensee Agreement. 

Product Categories

Building Materials & Products; Cleaning & Janitorial Products; Electronics; Furniture; Paints & Coatings

Tool Requirements

GREENGUARD Certification identifies emissions standards that are required to be met. There may also be additional verification requirements. After initial certification, there are ongoing testing, documentation, and verification processes required for demonstration of consistent product performance.

Cost of Tool

Contact UL for information on costs of certification.

Evaluation Frequency

Re-certification for products is required annually along with quarterly quality monitoring to ensure ongoing compliance.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths: A rigorous indoor air quality certification that includes actual emissions testing. Certification has good brand awareness worldwide. Standards and methods for certification are posted on the website.

Weaknesses: Focuses only on product use stage. Human health or environmental impacts of products during manufacturing, transportation, and end of life are not evaluated.

Examples of Retailers That Use It

Home Depot, Lowes, Office Depot, Office Max, Staples, Walmart

For More Information

UL Environment Email: environment@ul.com or info@greenguard.org Phone: 888.485.4733