Green Seal has become one of the most trusted ecolabels for companies that want to show real environmental responsibility, not just marketing language. It appears on cleaning products, paints, floor finishes, detergents, specialty cleaners, and many other everyday items used by both consumers and large-scale institutions. Green Seal standards are developed through a transparent process involving environmental science experts and stakeholder input, ensuring that the criteria are science-based and credible. But to earn that certification, companies must demonstrate that their product not only meets environmental and health requirements, but also performs effectively in its intended use.
That’s where Dell Tech Laboratories fits in.
Manufacturers come to us when they need performance data that is objective, reproducible, and ready for submission to certification bodies. Green Seal’s comprehensive assessment is conducted by a team of scientists and auditing professionals who evaluate products against stringent standards to ensure safety, environmental impact, and performance. They also come to us because Green Seal rarely limits a manufacturer to one rigid path. When a product falls outside the scope of a typical method, Green Seal allows the use of alternative test methods, provided they are scientifically valid and properly justified. Alternative test methods should be approved for use by Green Seal prior to testing. This flexibility is helpful, but it also means manufacturers need a laboratory that understands both the standards and the science well enough to design or select the right approach.
Achieving Green Seal certification can lead to cost savings for companies through improved efficiency and reduced waste.
Dell Tech’s Lab Services Group works with many Green Seal standards, and in this article, we walk through eight of the most commonly requested ones and the types of testing we conduct for each.
Introduction to Green Seal
Green Seal certification is a prestigious recognition awarded to products and services that meet rigorous environmental standards, ensuring a reduced impact on both human health and the environment. The Green Seal mark is a trusted symbol of environmental responsibility, signifying that a product or service has successfully passed a comprehensive evaluation process and complies with stringent Green Seal standards. Achieving Green Seal certification demonstrates a company’s commitment to sustainability, environmental leadership, and the adoption of eco friendly practices. For consumers, choosing Green Seal certified products means supporting brands that prioritize health, safety, and the reduction of harmful chemicals and volatile organic compounds. The Green Seal mark empowers consumers to make informed choices, confident that certified products have been thoroughly vetted for their environmental and human health impacts.
Certification Process
The Green Seal certification process is a thorough and transparent evaluation designed to ensure that products and services meet the highest environmental and performance standards. This process begins with a detailed review of raw materials and manufacturing practices, followed by rigorous product testing using scientifically validated test methods. Green Seal criteria require that products not only perform effectively but also minimize their environmental impact throughout their lifecycle. Importantly, the certification process does not involve animal testing, relying instead on alternative, validated methods. Companies seeking Green Seal certification must demonstrate ongoing compliance with Green Seal standards, including regular audits and a commitment to continuous improvement. This process applies across a wide range of industries, from cleaning supplies and paper products to industrial and institutional use, making Green Seal a leading environmental certification recognized for its integrity and comprehensive approach.
1. GS-8 Cleaning Products for Household Use
Products covered under GS-8 are the general-purpose cleaners, bathroom cleaners, glass cleaners, and carpet cleaners consumers use every day. Green Seal requires that each one meet a baseline of cleaning effectiveness, and it does this through standardized performance testing.
For example, general-purpose cleaners need to remove at least 80 percent of particulate soil when tested under ASTM D4488-A5. Dell Tech conducts this widely used method in our controlled laboratory environment, where we prepare soiled panels, apply the cleaner, and analyze the results through visual or instrumental grading.
Bathroom cleaners must meet a similar requirement based on ASTM D5343. The soil used in this test simulates the mix of soap scum, body oils, and mineral deposits typically found on bathroom surfaces. We evaluate how effectively the product removes this soil while maintaining controlled conditions for dwell time, water temperature, and wiping pressure.
Glass cleaners rely on the familiar HCPA DCC-09 method, which evaluates soil removal along with smearing and streaking. Anyone who has ever cleaned a mirror understands why Green Seal includes these criteria.
Carpet cleaners, meanwhile, do not depend on one specific method. Instead, they must perform as well as a nationally recognized or market-leading product. Dell Tech often uses AATCC textile methods to measure both cleaning and resoiling, though ASTM and ISO methods can also be appropriate depending on the product’s intended use.
Green Seal want to see that the undiluted product is proven to be not combustible. “The product or 99% by volume of the product ingredients shall have a flashpoint above 150°F (65.5°C), as tested using either the Cleveland Open Cup Tester (ASTM D92) or a closed-cup method ISO 13736 or ISO 2719. Alternatively, the product shall not sustain a flame when tested using ASTM D4206.” Dell Tech performs closed cup flash point method ISO 2719 noted by Green Seal, and the ASTM D4206 method noted as the alternative to the Green Seal approved open cup flash point test methods.
Green Seal certifications requires that the product not cause skin or eye damage. Green Seal considers a product to cause skin corrosion or to cause serious eye damage if it has a pH less than or equal to 2.0 or greater than or equal to 11.5, unless data prove otherwise. Dell Tech can perform pH testing by ASTM D1172, as well as standard in vitro tests that are accepted by Green Seal. Dell Tech performs the in vitro test methods OECD 435 Corrositex for dermal corrosion evaluation, and OECD 496 Occular Irritection for eye damage evaluation. This avoids new animal testing, as both tests use a synthesized membrane for the assays.
In addition, Green Seal sets restrictions on ingredients that could cause acute toxicity, ensuring that products are screened for thousands of hazardous chemicals, including carcinogens and neurotoxins. This process helps protect vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women.
GS-8 also includes an important clause allowing “Alternative Performance Requirements.” This is where we often help clients with more specialized cleaners or innovative formulas that may not fit perfectly within the traditional method structure. In these cases, we can design an objective and scientifically valid comparative study that Green Seal will accept for review.
Summary of methods Dell Tech performs for GS-8:
- ASTM D1172
- ASTM D4206
- ASTM D4488-A5
- ASTM D5343
- HCPA DCC-09
- ISO 2719
- AATCC textile methods
- OECD 435
- OECD 496
2. GS-11 Paints, Coatings, Stains, and Sealers
For paints and coatings, performance testing tends to focus on durability and resistance to environmental stressors. Dell Tech performs several of the ASTM methods listed in GS-11.
One example is ASTM D1308, which appears throughout the GS-11 standard. It is used to assess alkali resistance, water resistance, and saltwater resistance. A coated panel is exposed to different liquids or solutions, then inspected for lifting, wrinkling, disintegration, or color change. The duration of exposure varies depending on the specific requirement, ranging from 16 hours to several days.
Slip resistance is another performance element in GS-11. Manufacturers can use either ASTM D2047 or UL 410 to show that the coating provides a minimum level of traction. Dell Tech uses the standard James Machine to measure the static coefficient of friction, which must reach at least 0.5.
Chemical resistance also comes into play. Using ASTM D1308 again, we test each product against a selection of chemicals that reflect its marketed use. Clients often appreciate that we help them choose the right set of representative chemicals, since Green Seal requires coverage of multiple chemical classes.
GS-11 also includes requirements for packaging, such as maximizing post-consumer recycled content and prohibiting aerosol packaging, to ensure sustainability throughout the product lifecycle.
Summary of methods Dell Tech performs for GS-11:
- ASTM D1308
- ASTM D2047
3. GS-20 Environmental Innovation
GS-20 is one of Green Seal’s most flexible standards and is designed for products that offer measurable environmental innovation. The advantage of this standard is that it allows manufacturers to showcase technologies or product types that do not fit traditional categories.
Performance is still critical. A GS-20 product must perform as well as or better than a nationally recognized or market-leading benchmark. If a standard test method exists – ASTM, AATCC, ISO, UL, or similar – Dell Tech uses it. If no such method exists, we can design a custom test that meets Green Seal’s requirement for objectivity and reproducibility. The custom method procedure should be submitted to and approved by Green Seal prior to testing. Even for innovative products, compliance with relevant standards and meeting a series of stringent requirements is necessary to obtain Green Seal certification. This is one of the areas where Dell Tech’s method development capabilities become especially valuable.
Combustibility testing is also noted in the standard. Dell Tech performs the ASTM D4206 method for this evaluation.
Skin and eye damage are of note in GS-20 as well. Dell Tech performs OECD 435 and OECD 496.
Summary of test methods Dell Tech performs for this GS standard:
- ASTM D4206
- ISO 2719
- OECD 435
- OECD 496
- pH testing
4. GS-37 Cleaning Products for Industrial and Institutional Use
GS-37 mirrors GS-8, but with a focus on institutional cleaners used in schools, hospitals, office buildings, and other commercial environments. GS-37 specifically defines the service category for industrial and institutional cleaning products, ensuring that products are evaluated according to standards relevant to their use. Green Seal certification is applicable across a range of sectors, including cleaning products, building products, and paper products. The performance requirements are nearly identical, so Dell Tech performs many of the same methods: ASTM D4488 for general-purpose cleaners, ASTM D5343 for bathroom cleaners, HCPA DCC-09 for glass cleaners, and AATCC methods for carpet cleaners.
Benchmark comparison testing is important for institutional products that often need to perform under heavier soil loads or more challenging use conditions, and so must perform as well or better than leading market products.
Summary of methods Dell Tech performs for GS-37:
- ASTM D4206
- ASTM D4488-A5
- ASTM D5343
- HCPA DCC-09 (formerly CSPA DCC-09)
- ISO 2719
- AATCC textile methods
5. GS-40 Floor-Care Products
The GS-40 standard applies to floor finishes, maintainers, and strippers. Slip resistance remains essential, so ASTM D2047 and UL 410 appear here as well.
What sets GS-40 apart is the emphasis on long-term durability. Dell Tech performs ASTM D1792 to measure the removability of floor finishes. A finish must achieve a “good” removal ease rating when used with a compatible stripper or with a Green Seal-certified stripper.
We also evaluate soil resistance through ASTM D3206 and detergent resistance through ASTM D3207. These methods help determine how well the finish stands up to repeated cleaning cycles and routine exposure to surfactants.
GS-40 supports the certification of sustainable products that minimize environmental impact, in line with Green Seal’s mission to promote environmentally friendly and healthier options.
As in other categories, Green Seal wants to see that the product is proven to not cause skin corrosion (OECD 435) or serious eye damage (OECD 496). Combustibility should also be evaluated (ASTM D4206).
Summary of test methods Dell Tech performs for GS-40:
- ASTM D1172
- ASTM D1792
- ASTM D2047
- ASTM D3206
- ASTM D3207
- ASTM D4206
- ISO 2719
- OECD 435 Corrositex
- OECD 496 Occular Irritection
6. GS-44 Soaps, Cleansers, Hand Sanitizers and Shower Products
Dell Tech can assist with evaluation of skin and eye irritation for this GS standard. Our lab performs pH testing, OECD 496 for eye irritants, and dermal irritection for skin irritants. If skin corrosion is needed, we perform the OECD 435 Corrositex in vitro method for dermal corrosion.
Summary of test methods Dell Tech performs for this GS standard:
- ASTM D1172
- OECD 435
- OECD 496
- Dermal irritection
GS-44 requires that products be free from reproductive toxins and other banned substances such as PFAS, BPA, phthalates, or ozone-depleting compounds. All formulation ingredients must be disclosed. Additional requirements for personal care and cosmetic products include chemical safety, responsible sourcing, social responsibility, sustainable packaging, product performance, and product labeling.
6. GS-48 and GS-51 Laundry Care Products
Laundry products require performance validation at the most dilute end of their recommended use. GS-48 is quite detailed, covering detergents, stain removers, softening products, and textiles.
For detergents, ASTM D4265 is the primary method Dell Tech uses to assess general detergency and stain removal. Green Seal prescribes that a minimum of four stains of the following be use: tea, blueberry, grass, ballpoint pen ink, used motor oil, blood, wine, coffee, mustard, spaghetti sauce, gravy, makeup, chocolate syrup, grape juice, or a modified Spangler artificial sebum soil, and that any stains marketed for use by the product be included in the four stains. Dell Tech uses instrumental measurements by colorimeter to quantify the stain removal efficiency of the products tested. Green Seal wants to see the benchmarking completed against the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) standard reference laundry detergent which Dell Tech sources for Green Seal testing purposes.
Colour care is also part of GS-48. We assess colour fastness by ASTM D4265 procedure, often after five wash cycles. Fabric appearance may be assessed for smoothness using AATCC 124, also after five wash cycles.
For fabric softeners, the HCPA DCC-13 series comes into play, measuring softness, absorbency, and static control. The combination of these methods gives a well-rounded picture of product performance.
Summary of test methods Dell Tech performs for GS-48:
- ASTM D1172 – pH
- ASTM D4206 – combustibility
- ASTM D4265 for stain removal/cleaning efficiency
- ASTM D4265 for colour fastness/colour care
- AATCC 124 for smoothness appearance of fabrics after home laundering
- HCPA DCC-13B – evaluating softness
- HCPA DCC-13D – water absorbency
- ISO 2719
- OECD 435 Corrositex – dermal corrosion
- OECD 496 Occular Irritection
7. GS-52 Specialty Cleaning Products for Household Use
GS-52 is one of the broadest standards and covers everything from vehicle and boat cleaners to metal cleaners, rinse aids, furniture polish, and oven cleaners.
Outdoor cleaners and vehicle cleaners often rely on ASTM D4488. Boat waxes, polishes, and sealants may require gloss and smear resistance testing, for which Dell Tech often uses ASTM D523. Oven cleaners are tested using HCPA DCC-12.
Automatic dish cleaning products or rinse aids may be evaluated through ASTM D3556 or the corresponding HCPA method. Hand dish cleaning products may be evaluated by ASTM D4009 or an equivalent method.
Metal cleaners have their own requirement: a Cleaning Effectiveness Factor of at least 0.80 based on ASTM G122. Dell Tech performs this method, evaluating how effectively a product removes soil without damaging the metal surface.
The GS-52 standard for windshield washing fluids and optical lens cleaners cites CSPA DCC-09 as the test method to use. Since CSPA rebranded as the Household & Commercial Products Association (HCPA), the method is now known as HCPA DCC-09 – but it’s the same procedure.
Motor Vehicle Wax, Polish, Sealant, or Glaze Products. Motor vehicle wax, polish, sealant, or glaze products must perform equivalent to or better than the control product in ASTM D3836 or ASTM D6625. Green Seal wants the control product to be a national market-leading product.
For Upholstery cleaners, the standard is less specific. Upholstery cleaning products must demonstrate cleaning efficiency and resoiling resistance using an appropriate method, or perform equivalent to or better than a nationally recognized, marketleading upholstery cleaner.
This standard also allows for alternative methods when a product is highly specialized. Many of our clients in this category take advantage of that flexibility. As always, the alternative method procedure should be submitted and approved by Green Seal prior to testing to ensure that it aligns with their expectations for product evaluation.
A note on sample preparation for testing in this category: Products shall be diluted, as required, just prior to testing using water from the cold tap at no more than 50ºF (10ºC). Exceptions shall be made for automatic dish cleaning products (tested at 130 ± 5 deg F (54.4 ± 3.8 deg C), hand dish cleaning products (tested at 110 °F (43°C)), and upholstery cleaning products (may be diluted with warm or hot water where required by the test method or performance considerations if the product is proven to suffer significant performance degradation in cold water).
GS-52 also includes requirements for disposable wipes. These wipes must be made from renewable materials, such as cellulosic fibers, and meet advanced recycled content standards. This supports the use of environmentally preferable raw materials to prevent deforestation and reduce carbon emissions.
Summary of method Dell Tech Performs for GS-52:
- AATCC methods for upholstery cleaners
- ASTM D3556ASTM D3836
- ASTM D4009
- ASTM D4206 – combustibility
- ASTM D4488-A5
- ASTM D523
- ASTM G122
- HCPA DCC-09 (formerly CSPA DCC-09)
- HCPA DCC-12 (formerly CSPA DCC-12)
- ISO 2719
- OECD 435 Corrositex – dermal corrosion
- OECD 496 Occular Irritection
8. GS-53 Specialty Cleaning Products for Industrial and Institutional Use
GS-53 parallels GS-52 but applies to institutional formulations. The same test methods generally apply, and Dell Tech conducts the same ASTM, AATCC, HCPA, and gloss measurements used for household specialty cleaners. Because industrial products are often more concentrated or intended for heavier-duty cleaning, manufacturers frequently request comparative testing against stronger benchmarks.
Summary of method Dell Tech Performs for GS-53:
- AATCC methods for upholstery cleaners
- ASTM D3556
- ASTM D3836
- ASTM D4009
- ASTM D4206 – combustibility
- ASTM D4488-A5
- ASTM D523
- ASTM G122
- HCPA DCC-09 (formerly CSPA DCC-09)
- HCPA DCC-12 (formerly CSPA DCC-12)
- ISO 2719
- OECD 435 Corrositex – dermal corrosion
- OECD 496 Occular Irritection
While GS-53 focuses on specialty cleaning products, Green Seal Certification also includes standards for sanitary paper products (such as those covered under GS-1), cleaning products, paints, and personal care products.
Dell Tech’s Additional Support for Green Seal Applications
Beyond performance testing, manufacturers also need to demonstrate that their product meets Green Seal’s formulation and environmental requirements. Dell Tech’s Product Safety team assists by reviewing ingredient lists for Safer Chemicals Assessment, conducting VOC calculations, and navigating Green Seal’s formulation criteria. Many clients appreciate that they can get both testing and compliance support in one place.
Having performance data, formulation review, and VOC calculations from the same technical partner speeds up the certification process and ensures that the material submitted to Green Seal is complete and consistent.
Safer Chemicals – Safer Ingredients and Safer Products
Each of the Standards has a section about Safer Chemicals. Our Product Safety team can review your product’s ingredients and provide a letter to Green Seal showing that the formulation is compliant for their requirements.
Formulation review will be used to assess:
- Aquatic biodegradability
- Aquatic toxicity
- Combustibility (also tested by our lab using ASTM D4206 or ISO 2719)
- Fragrances
- Prohibited ingredients
- Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
- Products containing enzymes
- Products containing microorganisms
- Carcinogens, mutagens, and reproductive toxins
- Skin and eye damage (also tested by our lab using OECD 435, OECD 496, and Dermal Irritection)
- Skin sensitization
- Acute toxicity
- Eutrophic agents
- Volatile organic compound (VOC) content
Why Manufacturers Choose Dell Tech for Green Seal Certification
Performance testing is not just a checkbox in the certification process. It is the evidence behind a product’s claims and a confirmation that the cleaner, coating, or detergent works as intended. Dell Tech understands the standards, the test methods, and the practical considerations behind them. Manufacturers rely on us because we provide:
- Controlled and reproducible laboratory testing
- Familiarity with all Green Seal performance pathways
- Experience with benchmark comparisons
- Custom method development when needed
- Clear, comprehensive reporting for certification bodies
- Support from both the lab and the product safety team
This combination has helped many companies navigate Green Seal certification successfully and confidently.
Quality Assurance
Green Seal certification is synonymous with quality assurance, ensuring that certified products and services meet high standards for both performance and environmental safety. The certification process includes robust performance testing to verify product effectiveness, as well as an assessment of environmental criteria such as energy efficiency, waste reduction, and the minimization of human exposure to harmful chemicals and volatile organic compounds. Green Seal certified products are designed to promote sustainable practices throughout their lifecycle, offering consumers peace of mind that they are choosing products that are both high-quality and environmentally responsible. For manufacturers, Green Seal certification provides valuable insights into areas for improvement, supporting the implementation of cost-saving measures like reduced energy consumption and waste, while maintaining a strong focus on safety and compliance.
Environmental Responsibility
Green Seal certification stands as a benchmark for environmental responsibility, reflecting a company’s dedication to sustainability and the reduction of environmental impact. The certification process evaluates every stage of a product’s or service’s lifecycle, from the sourcing of raw materials to end-of-life disposal, ensuring compliance with stringent environmental standards. Green Seal believes that companies have a duty to minimize their environmental footprint and to champion sustainable practices across their operations. By achieving Green Seal certification, organizations can demonstrate their commitment to environmental responsibility, including the reduction of carbon emissions and adherence to evolving environmental regulations. This not only benefits the environment but also positions companies as leaders in sustainability, ready to meet the demands of increasingly eco-conscious consumers and regulatory bodies.
Market Differentiation
Green Seal certification offers companies a powerful tool for market differentiation, setting them apart as leaders in environmental responsibility and sustainability. The Green Seal mark is widely recognized as a symbol of environmental leadership, and companies that achieve certification can leverage it to promote their products or services to environmentally conscious consumers. Green Seal certified products are often preferred by government agencies and institutions that require environmental certification as part of their procurement policies, opening doors to new markets and opportunities. By achieving Green Seal certification, companies can build consumer trust, enhance their brand reputation, and gain a competitive edge. The certification also provides a framework for continuous improvement, enabling companies to identify and implement sustainable practices that drive long-term success and environmental stewardship.
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