School Infection Control Handbook - 2010

Appendix B: Selection of Products, Dispensing Equipment, and Application Systems

Appendix B.1. Green Product Certification and Labeling: Quick Reference

Introduction An initiative by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) is underway to screen and certify disinfectants according to health and safety criteria. Although the EPA currently prohibits any type of green labeling on disinfectant products, Green Seal is developing a standard that will include disinfectants in case of future policy changes. Pilot Project of the Design for the Environment/Office of Pesticide Programs At the request of manufacturers, green cleaning advocates, and cleaning products distributors, the EPA Design for the Environment Program (DfE) and the OPP agreed to a limited pilot project that would allow for the identification and labeling of the least-toxic disinfection products currently on the market. All of the products considered for certification were disinfectants already registered by the OPP. Evaluation Process Manufacturers submit their registered product(s) to the DfE Safer Product Labeling Program to go through the screening process. The DfE evaluates each ingredient on the basis of critical health and environmental end points as defined in their standards. These standards are available for review at http://www.epa.gov/dfeprojects/gfcp/. Label Award When a product is identified as having met the criteria for the program, it will be allowed to display a DfE logo, with reference to the OPP Web site (www.epa.gov/pesticides/dfepilot). Products will be listed on this site after they are approved. Ingredients Approved Preliminary information from the pilot program has identified the following active ingredients as being the least toxic in specific formulations: Accelerated hydrogen peroxide

Lactic acid Citric acid Ingredients Not Approved Products containing the following ingredients will not be approved: Quaternary ammonium compounds Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) Ortho-phenylphenol (2-phenylphenol) Thymol

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