Green Product Standards and Certification Programs

• Eco-labels
• Links to Product Standards, Specifications, and Product Guides
• Links to Product Specific Information
• Hotel Rating Programs
• Building and Real Property Programs

Eco-labels

General Information

Eco-labels are symbols used on products to indicate that they have been certified to a specific environmental standard. There are three types, as defined by International Standards Organization (ISO):

• Type I: Indicates environmental preferability within a sector and is based on life-cycle performance of a pre-defined and weighted set of core environmental attributes. Only top performers within a sector are able to use the label. The claims are independently verified.
• Type II: These labels are environmental declarations made by manufacturers/importers/distributors. Typically, they are based on a single attribute such as 'contains x% recycled content' or 'biodegradable'. The labels are not independently verified but they may be defined by a regulatory body.
• Type III: The label gives environmental information on a product, sometimes in the form of a data list, similar to a nutritional label for food. The information is based on the life-cycle performance of a pre-defined and weighted set of core environmental attributes. The claims are independently verified to achieve a certain standard, but unlike Type I, they are not applied only to the top performers in a class, but broadly to any product that meets the standard.

Eco-label programs exist in most countries in Europe and North America. Some of the more common ones are outlined in this section. These labels are most valuable in allowing for rapid identification of environmentally preferable products, especially where lifecycle costing may be too time-consuming or may not be warranted based on the value of the purchase. For example, eco-labels can be used for

• Low individual value items, particularly those of a consumable nature, such as office supplies, cleaning supplies, etc.
• Industrial supplies
• Building products
• Services, such as hotels

Web Links

A brief description of various certification programs is provided below, or visit their websites directly via these links:

• Environmental Choice™ (Canadian)
• Green Seal (US)
• Foreign Certification Systems:
  • Global Ecolabelling Network (International)
  • EUROPA - Ecolabel (European)

• Hotel Green Leaf
• Green Hotels
• Envirodesic
• LEED
• BOMA Go Green
• R-2000

Environmental Choice™ Program

The Environmental Choice™ program is the Canadian government products and services labelling program that provides guidelines for environmentally preferable goods and services, and grants licenses to products that successfully meet the guidelines. Their mission is to: "Reduce the stress on the environment by encouraging the demand for, and supply of, environmentally responsible products and services."

The Program's official symbol of certification is the EcoLogo™. For details of product standards and certification, visit the Environmental Choice™ website or contact Terrachoice Environmental Marketing in Ottawa, Ontario.

Green Seal

Green Seal is a private organization based in Washington, DC. Much like the Environmental Choice Program, Green Seal sets environmental standards and certifies products that meet the established criteria for low life-cycle impact on the environment. The Green Seal is awarded to products that have less impact on the environment and work well. Green Seal standards are set so that they identify the most environmentally preferable products currently available; thus, they are leadership standards.

For more information, visit the Green Seal Web site.

Foreign Certification Systems

Although Canada may not have standards for certain products, other countries may. These standards can be consulted to determine if a given product may be considered environmentally preferable. The Global Ecolabelling Network lists countries that have established eco-labelling criteria for different classes of products and provides links to organizations from which criteria are available. The EUROPA - Ecolabel website lists eco-labelling criteria for labeling systems from many European countries.

Links to Product Standards, Specifications and Guides

• Energy Star
• EnerGuide
• Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB)
  • Recycled toner cartridge standards
• Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
  • CSA - Forest Products Marking Program
• EPEAT - Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool
• US EPA Environmentally Preferable Purchasing
• ROHS
  • European Union RoHS Directive
  • UK RoHS information

Links to Product Specific Information

• Electronic Products
  • Energy Star
  • EPEAT - Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool
• Office Supplies
  • Recycled toner cartridge standards
  • Paper products
• Forestry Products
  • Forestry Stewardship Council
  • Sustainable Forestry Initiative
  • CSA – Forest Products Marking Program
  • Programme for Endorsement of Forestry Certification schemes
  • Forest Certification Resource Center
  • Yale Program on Forestry Policy and Governance

Hotel Rating Programs:

Green Leaf Eco-Rating Program

The Green Leaf™ Eco-Rating Program is a graduated rating system designed to identify hotels committed to improving their bottom line fiscal and environmental performance. The program was established by TerraChoice Environmental Services, to recognize environmental achievements through a reward of 1 to 5 Green Leaves; 1 for a minimum of committing to a set of environmental principles and 2 through 5 for results in applying those principles. The TerraChoice Hotel Green Leaf web site lists participating hotels. Green Leaf ratings are also listed for participating hotels in the PWGSC Accommodation and Car Rental Directory.

Green Key ECOmmodation Rating Program

The Hotel Association of Canada's ECOmmodation Rating Program is a graduated rating system designed to recognize hotels, motels, and resorts that are committed to improving their fiscal and environmental performance. Based on the results of a comprehensive environmental audit, hoteliers are awarded a 1-5 green key rating and given guidance on how to "unlock" opportunities to reduce operating costs and environmental impacts through reduced utility consumption, employee training, and supply chain management. Visit the Hotel Association of Canada's website for more details. Green Key ratings are also listed for participating hotels in the PWGSC Accommodation and Car Rental Directory.

Building and Real Property Programs

• LEED (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design)
• BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association of Canada)
• Envirodesic
• R-2000

LEED Standards

The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System ® is a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. It addresses many environmentally preferable building construction options, in areas as diverse as selection of construction materials, lighting, energy efficiency, and water use. In some cases, there may be an incremental cost associated with selecting environmental features, however, payback in operational and energy savings is expected.

The Government of Canada has committed to the use of LEED Gold standards for all new office building construction. Further detail required on standards and how they relate to green procurement, refer to the links below.

Web Links

• LEED
• Canadian Green Building Council

BOMA & Green Globes

Green Globes is geared at the design of energy and resource efficient buildings, that will achieve operational savings and be healthier to work or live in. Green Globes consists of both a guide for integrating green design principles and an assessment protocol. Using confidential questionnaires for each stage of project delivery, the program generates comprehensive on-line assessment and guidance reports. Using Go Green Comprehensive is a program based on the Green Globes system, and is being implemented by PWGSC for all existing federal buildings.

Web Link

• BOMA Go Green

Envirodesic™

The Envirodesic™ Certification Program helps buyers identify buildings, products and services that promote healthier indoor environments. It is endorsed by the Lung Association's C.A.N. DO - the Movement for Clean Air Now, as "the appropriate certification route for builders, manufacturers and service providers where maximum indoor air quality is required." Products include insulation and cleaning products.

Web Link

• Envirodesic

R-2000 Housing Standard

R-2000 is NRCan's residential housing standard and can be applicable to government-built housing. The R-2000 Standard includes requirements related to energy efficiency, indoor air quality and the use of environmentally responsible products and materials. The R-2000 program also showcases new energy technologies and trains builders in energy-efficient techniques.

Web Link

• R-2000