What is the EU Taxonomy?
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Discover the EU Taxonomy: what it is, how it defines sustainable activities, and its impact on businesses and financial markets.
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What is Green Seal Certification?
Level
Key Topics You'll Learn About in This Article
- Why companies opt for a green seal
- Comparing and contrasting other certifications with a green seal
- How to obtain a green seal
In 2025, companies are more cognizant of the various sustainability and eco-friendly practices they should be implementing – and the certifications that they should aim to receive as a result of their newfound environmental efforts, such as a Green Seal certification.
From the ISO series, PAS series, and more – it can be hard to determine which environmental certification is the right one for your business.
What is Green Seal, why is it important, and how could it prove beneficial to your organization?
In this article, we’ll discuss the main goals of Green Seal, how acquiring a Green Seal certification could be beneficial, and the process to successfully acquire a certification from Green Seal.
What is Green Seal?
Green Seal is a nonprofit organization which works worldwide to safeguard the environment and human health by encouraging safer and more sustainable products and services to be sold.
If you’ve ever wondered who started the trends of eco-labeling, you can stop looking for the answer here – this notion started with Green Seal.
“Green Seal certification validates a company's sustainability leadership and helps purchasers and consumers make healthier, greener choices with confidence. – (Green Seal).”
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When Did Green Seal Start?
Since 1989, Green Seal has been working to implement more stringent standards for sustainability, human health, and product efficiency.
As a whole, Green Seal started with the incentive to follow through on their belief that safe and eco-friendly products should be the norm.
How Many Products Are Green Seal Certified?
As of today, over 30,000 products, services, and accommodations are Green Seal certified – some of which are from large, recognizable companies and institutions around the world such as Marriott, Hilton, and Harvard University.
Green Seal believes that safe and eco-friendly products should be the norm.
The overview cards below will reveal some examples of companies and products that have been Green Seal Certified:
🧴
Cleaning Products
Many household cleaners have earned Green Seal certification for using safer ingredients and reducing toxic chemical exposure.
🛎️
Hotels
Green Seal Certified hotels reduce energy use, water consumption, and waste while offering guests a more sustainable stay.
📄
Paper Products
Recycled copy paper, napkins, and tissue products are Green Seal Certified for reducing deforestation and waste.
🍴
Food Services
Restaurants and cafeterias that follow sustainable practices can earn Green Seal certification for healthier dining experiences.
🧼
Hand Soaps
Certified hand soaps avoid harmful chemicals and are biodegradable, helping protect water quality.
🏢
Office Buildings
Green Seal Certified offices meet high sustainability standards for cleaning, maintenance, and energy efficiency.
Green Seal: A Mission To Support Sustainable Products & Practices
In order to achieve their mission and spread the word, Green Seal has made its own certification – referred to as the Green Seal certification. This continues to drive Green Seal’s main mission, as any company looking to acquire a Green Seal certification must undergo a rigorous process to determine if they qualify for the prestigious certification – and ultimately elicits environmental change for the better.
However, the primary purpose of motivating other entities to acquire a Green Seal certification is to remind others of the reason why Green Seal was established in the first place – to inspire others to make sustainable and healthy practices the new norm.
What is the Main Goal of Green Seal?
Even though Green Seal may be most well-known as the pilot program for eco-friendly labeling, this nonprofit organization has much more in mind than just preventing greenwashing on your price tags when shopping.
“In order to avoid ‘greenwashed’ cleaning products, experts recommended looking for cleaning products certified by organizations like Green Seal. – (NBC News).”
Ultimately, the main goal of Green Seal certifications is to encourage more sustainability initiatives and for consumers to choose the more eco-friendly or energy efficient option when purchasing new products, services, or accommodation in the midst of climate change.
As greenwashing becomes an easy way to draw customers in without the need for any credentials or evidence of eco-friendly manufacturing or distribution, it is important for businesses and consumers alike to beware of potential greenwashing – and how organizations such as Green Seal work to avoid its potential negative consequences.
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Green Seal is determined to create a more trustworthy market for all consumers, whether they are looking to buy a new bathroom cleaner or looking for accommodation near the Grand Canyon. This is done with the Green Seal certification, as in order to acquire it – a comprehensive analysis is required, and will ultimately ensure buyers that their purchases are healthy for both them and the planet.
The vertical timeline below will reveal how the process of acquiring a Green Seal certification works and helps organization in the long run:
1. Eligibility & Scope 🔍
Organization identifies the product or service category and confirms it fits a Green Seal standard (e.g., cleaning products, hotels, paper).
2. Standards Review 📘
Team studies the exact Green Seal criteria — health, performance, packaging, and environmental requirements — and maps what evidence is needed.
3. Application & Documentation 📝📦
Company submits an application with formulas/ingredients or operational data, safety sheets, labels, and proof of performance testing.
4. Independent Assessment 🧪🧑🔬
Green Seal evaluates documentation and may conduct on-site audits and product testing to verify compliance with the standard.
5. Corrective Actions 🔧✅
If gaps are found (e.g., ingredients, packaging, or procedures), the organization makes improvements and resubmits evidence for approval.
6. Certification & Label Use 🏅♻️
Upon meeting all criteria, the Green Seal mark is awarded. The certified product/service can display the label in marketing and on packaging.
7. Ongoing Monitoring & Long-Term Value 🔁📈
Annual surveillance keeps standards active. Benefits include stronger buyer trust, eligibility for sustainable procurement, safer ingredients, cost savings from efficiency, and a verified sustainability claim.
Here is a breakdown of the areas where Green Seal is determined to make eco-friendly practices the new norm:
- Everyday Products: Green Seal is dedicated to environmental reform on many arts & crafts, home, and DIY supplies you probably have sitting somewhere in a cabinet right now – such as paint, cleaning products, laundry detergent, paper, trash bags, and personal care products.
- Hotels: Often accused of greenwashing, finding a truly “green” accommodation can prove tricky – but Green Seal wants to make it easier for travelers to feel good about where they choose to stay.
- Educational Institutes: Whether it be an entire college campus or an elementary school classroom, Green Seal is committed to cultivated more sustainable and healthy educational institutes – as depicted in their Healthy Green Schools & Colleges program.
- Cleaning Services: Unbeknownst to many, much of the cleaning supplies we choose to scrub our kitchens and bathrooms clean aren’t always made with the most eco-friendly products – but Green Seal is working to make sustainable and natural cleaning supplies the more instinctive choice.
Benefits of Obtaining a Green Seal
There are a multitude of benefits for companies, products, schools, and hotels that choose to aim for a Green Seal certification – such as boosting consumer trust and helping to avoid greenwashing.
For example, many college campuses seek to acquire a Green Seal certification not only to ensure parents of the mindful, healthy practices inside the classroom – but in the dorm rooms, too. Higher educational institutes such as the University of Maryland at College Park have acquired a Green-Seal 42 certification to demonstrate how serious they are about climate change and the impact it has on human health.
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As a result, college campuses that choose to acquire a Green Seal certification can demonstrate their commitment to healthier and safer campuses – which is bound to bring parents peace of mind when they are sending their kids to college for the first time. Anyone can claim to be sustainable, but a certification provides indispensable proof.
The interactive flip cards below (move cursor over card to flip) will reveal why utilizing a Green Seal certification in densely populated areas such as a college town or campus could be widely beneficial for all:
🏫 Healthier Campus Environments
Green Seal certified cleaning products reduce exposure to toxic chemicals, protecting student and faculty health in classrooms and dorms.
♻️ Reduced Waste Generation
Certified products and services minimize packaging waste and promote recycling, lowering landfill contributions on large campuses.
💸 Cost Savings
Colleges save money long-term through certified energy-efficient products and reduced utility expenses.
🌍 Positive Reputation
Universities gain recognition for sustainability efforts, attracting eco-conscious students, staff, and external partnerships.
Green Seal: Additional Benefits For Products, Services, and More
Think about it this way: how many times when shopping have you actually stopped in the store to do a quick search about the brand you were about to purchase? Odds are, you were in a rush and didn’t have time to verify the eco-friendliness of the product you wanted to buy – and that’s where a certification from Green Seal comes into play.
Having a reputable, non-profit organization deem your desired product, service, hotel, or school as efficient, healthy, and eco-friendly can encourage people to choose more environmentally friendly brands with ease moving forward – which is another overarching benefit of acquiring a Green Seal certification, as your company will help spread the word on the importance of environmental reform.
Many of the benefits remain the same for cleaning products or services that acquire a Green Seal certification.
The drop down sections below will reveal the benefits of choosing Green Seal cleaning services for your cleaning services:
🌬️ Better indoor air quality
Using certified cleaning products reduces airborne toxins, allergens, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — resulting in safer, cleaner indoor environments.
🫁 Improved health (fewer irritants & triggers)
Certified products avoid toxic chemicals, helping minimize respiratory issues, allergic reactions, and other health risks for building occupants.
♻️ Less waste with eco-friendly & recyclable materials
Green Seal favors concentrates, refillable dispensers, bulk purchasing, and packaging designed for recycling or reduced plastic. That means fewer single-use bottles, lower transport emissions, and simpler waste sorting — all while meeting strict performance benchmarks.
🏗️ Reduced damage to infrastructure over time
Non-toxic and less corrosive cleaning solutions protect building infrastructure, prolonging the lifespan of materials like flooring, walls, and pipes.
🧼 Fewer viruses through effective, safer disinfection
Certified disinfectants are proven to kill viruses and bacteria while using safer active ingredients, lowering health risks without compromising performance.
However, it is important to realize that the astounding benefit to receiving a Green Seal certification is the peace of mind that it will bring for consumers – regardless of what product or service is seeking the Green Seal certification.
Ultimately, choosing to acquire a Green Seal certification will result in less hesitation on behalf of your customers – as they will take comfort in knowing that their product, service, school, or accommodation of choice has been thoroughly inspected and verified by such a well-known, nonprofit organization.
What Certifications Are Similar to a Green Seal Certification?
A certification from Green Seal isn’t the only environmentally friendly badge-of-honor that your business could be working towards receiving.
Well-known environmental certifications include:
📑
ISO Certifications
Global standards ensuring quality, safety, and sustainability across industries.
📘
PAS Certifications
Publicly Available Specifications that guide organizations on sustainability and safety practices.
🏢🌿
LEED Certification
Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design promotes green building standards worldwide.
🌱🇺🇸
USDA Organic
Ensures products are grown and processed without harmful chemicals or GMOs.
🌧️🌍
Rainforest Alliance
Supports biodiversity, sustainable farming, and fair conditions for workers worldwide.
☕🍫
Fair Trade
Guarantees ethical sourcing and fair wages for farmers, often tied to coffee and chocolate.
Here's a full breakdown of these different certifications:
- Certifications from the ISO series – which help to ensure that various management systems within a company are running smoothly.
- Certifications from the PAS series – almost like a British version of the ISO series, this string of various certifications can help companies be verified on their carbon neutrality and their efforts towards carbon management on infrastructure.
- LEED certification – which demonstrates companies and organizations with optimal energy savings, water efficiency, and emission reductions.
- USDA Organic – which is perhaps the closest to a Green Seal, as it also encourages transparent labeling and allows shoppers to quickly distinguish between organic and non-organic food items.
- Rainforest Alliance Certificate – Also similar to USDA Organic and Green Seal, this certified label can be used not only at the grocery store – but on your favorite cosmetic, hair, or skincare brands.
- Fair Trade Certification – Often seen on products that are made in developing countries, this certification helps to ensure buyers that fair labor practices were considered while curating the resources necessary for the item now being sold.
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What Makes A Green Seal Different From Other Certifications?
The primary difference between a Green Seal certification and the other ones mentioned above is that a Green Seal certification is more garnered towards consumers – as the average, non-business owner or shopper is not going to see a product with an ISO or PAS certification.
The infographic below will break down an example ISO certification, ISO 14001, to demonstrate how it differs from a Green Seal certification.
All of the above are good certifications for any company looking to become more sustainable to strive for, but if your company primarily focuses on selling products and services – a Green Seal certification or something similar may be right for you.
The three way battle cards below will break down the differences between a Green Seal, ISO, or PAS certification:
🟢 Green Seal Certification
🌱 Focuses on health, safety, and environmental impact of products and services
🧴 Common for cleaning supplies, hotels, and facilities management
💚 Highlights reduced toxins, improved air quality, and eco-friendly packaging
🏅 Recognized widely across U.S. institutions and campuses
📑 ISO Certification
🌐 International standards ensuring quality, safety, and efficiency
⚙️ Covers a wide range: ISO 14001 for environment, ISO 9001 for quality, etc.
🏭 Often required for global trade, manufacturing, and supply-chain assurance
🔁 Provides a framework for continuous improvement and compliance
📘 PAS Certification
📚 Publicly Available Specifications developed by BSI
⚡ Faster to implement than ISO standards; often used as a precursor
🧭 Helpful for industries needing guidance on emerging sustainability topics
🔎 Flexible frameworks that can evolve into formal ISO standards later
Breakdown of the Process to Obtain a Green Seal certification
Similar to other green certifications, obtaining a Green Seal certification is no walk in the park – but once it is acquired, it could be a game changer for your business.
Green Seal certifications are only handed out once scientists and experts at Green Seal confirm that a company, product, or service is making a genuine effort to implement greener practices.
Is a Green Seal Certification Good For The Entire Company?
No, a Green Seal certification only adheres to a specific product as opposed to the entire company being certified. Therefore, it is important to remember that Green Seal does not certify entire companies, but rather individual products and services.
For instance, if Apple were to seek a Green Seal certification – they couldn’t get an umbrella certification for all of their products, but would instead need to request a Green Seal certification for one product at a time. This means that the iPhone, Macbook, and Apple Watch would each need to undergo an individual certification process.
Preparing For A Green Seal Certification
Before applying for a Green Seal certification, it is important to make sure your company has implemented clear goals and objectives towards environmental improvement – and that your organization is also up-to-date on any compulsory environmental legislation. Missing any of these preliminary steps could render your application for a Green Seal certification useless.
Here is the process for obtaining a Green Seal certification:
1
📝 Apply
After filling out the application form on Green Seal’s official website, wait a few business days for guidance on how to proceed.
2
📑 Provide Documentation
Once Green Seal contacts your company, you’ll submit documentation showing your current environmental standing. Requirements vary by the product or service you’re seeking to certify.
3
⏳ Wait for Approval
Approval typically takes 2–3 months. After certification, stay up to date with Green Seal standards—periodic assessments ensure continued compliance. If you remain compliant, your certification stays valid indefinitely.
4
💳 Pay Certification Fee
Fees vary depending on the product or service being certified and the scope of review associated with your application.
Remember, any product or service from around the world can be certified by Green Seal!
If your company is looking to obtain a Green Seal certification, you can start the process by contacting Green Seal – either by phone or email, both of which are found on their contact page.
Ultimately, a Green Seal certification continues to be one of the most recognizable and reputable green certifications and eco-labels out there – and as climate change continues to take over our daily lives, the time to create change and acquire labels like these has never been more paramount.
FAQs on Green Seal Certification & Greenly
A Green Seal certification can help ensure consumer trust, boost brand reputation, avoid greenwashing,
and demonstrate accountability and transparency for your organization. It also helps you comply with
future environmental regulations and adjust to the global push for sustainability in business.
At Greenly, we can help your company prepare to apply for a Green Seal certification by providing drafted,
audit-ready reports. These reports streamline the application process and make compliance easier to demonstrate.
Greenly is a robust carbon accounting service that helps companies measure and reduce emissions, apply for certifications,
and adhere to standards such as Green Seal, CSRD, and more. We guide businesses to develop sustainable operations,
avoid greenwashing, and implement eco-friendly measures for long-term success.
What About Greenly?
If reading this article about the Green Seal Certification has made you interested in reducing your carbon emissions to further fight against climate change – Greenly can help you!
It can be difficult to know which certifications are best for your company, such as the Green Seal Certification, but don’t worry – Greenly is here to help! Click here to book a demo and get personalized expertise on which environmental certifications and programs are right for your company.
Greenly can help you make an environmental change for the better, starting with a carbon footprint assessment to know how much carbon emissions your company produces.
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