Green Seal Adds First U.S. Standard for Personal Care Products

July 2, 2009

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To help consumers sort out sometimes false and misleading environmental claims, Green Seal has launched its Green Seal certification for personal care products after 18 months in development.

Touted as the first U.S. standard to address the health, environmental, and labeling concerns of infants, children and adults, consumers can use the standard as a guide to find “green” soaps, cleansers and shower products.

According to a recent study, nearly one in four U.S. consumers say they have “no way of knowing” if a product is green or actually does what it claims.

Green Seal, a non-profit based in Washington D.C., is currently working on its next standard in the personal-care category, GS-50, for skincare products.

Green Seal’s soap standard identifies the following green features:

No hidden health hazards such as ingredients that are contaminated with carcinogens like formaldehyde and 1, 4-dioxane.
The products are safe to wash down the drain and into the environment.
The product has to work as well as or better than a conventional product.
All ingredients are on the label including fragrances or known allergens.
The label will only be labeled “natural” or “organic” if it really is.
The packaging relies less on fossil fuels/petroleum, for a lesser environmental impact.

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