The unfounded or faulty claims caused confusion, and confusion can lead to consumer mistrust. To protect the movement and the consumer, it was clear that third-party certification would have to be implemented.

In the late 1980s, Green Seal, one of the pioneers in scientific, third-party certification in the United States stepped up to the challenge. Later other certification organizations emerged. Suddenly consumers had third parties to rely on that would specify whether the products they purchased were actually green. Over time, the impact of certification would be felt by manufacturers and consumers the world over. In fact, it is possible the entire environmental movement could have come to a screeching halt – or at least slowed considerably – without these trailblazers.

What Is Green Certification?

So what does third-party certification really mean as it pertains to green products?

As defined by the EPA and ISO (International Organization for Standardization), third-party certification is applied to products that meet, among other things, the following key criteria:

• The product or service has been evaluated using science-based environmental leadership standards.
• It performs as well as or better than other products in its class based on accepted standards.
• It has been independently certified without bias or conflict of interest.

Additional criteria, standards, and attributes that are also often included when understanding green certification include the following:

• Use of the product helps protect indoor air and environmental quality.
• The product is manufactured using recycled content (post-consumer/post-industrial), as well as being made from renewable, sustainable resources.
• The product does not contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) or other ozone-depleting substances.
• The product is recyclable and biodegradable.

We should note that while third-party certification evolved as a way to help consumers identify genuinely green products, it has proven to benefit manufacturers as well. For instance, knowing the standards and criteria for green certification helps the manufacturer identify what ingredients can and cannot be used to manufacture a product. In essence, it helps them understand the green ground rules so that they can manufacture accordingly.

Additionally, it helps companies market the product. Once a product has been certified, the manufacturer may proudly display the eco-label of the certifying organization on its products and marketing materials. This provides the third-party verification manufacturers seek to prove that their products are in fact green and safer for human health and the environment.

Third-Party Green Certification in the Twenty-First Century

In the past few years, we have started to see an evolution in green certification. From helping purchasers make green buying decisions based on scientific fact as well as helping manufacturers understand what criteria must be followed to make those products, some certifying bodies now also consider sustainability and a sustainable economy in their assessments.