SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS STANDARDS ARE GAINING MARKET SHARE
It is now possible to articulate the following transparent, life-cycle and consensus based metrics by which we can bring this new economy into being:
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." -- Gandhi
Executive SummaryPRODUCT SPECIFIC STANDARDS:
Forest Stewardship Council Certified Wood
The term "independently certified forest products" refers to those products originating in a forest that an independent third party has certified as well-managed and sustainable. Forest certification validates on-the-ground operations employing the best management practices at a specific forest to ensure the long-term health of the total forest ecosystem. Today, the only ratings available that meet the criteria established by the Certified Forest Products Council are those of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). FSC standards were developed by representatives of conservation groups, the timber industry, economic development organizations and the general public. A forestry operation that meets FSC standards protects forest ecosystems, water quality, wildlife habitats and local communities. To ensure the integrity of the certification, the wood and fiber from certified forests are tracked through the commercial chain from logging sites to retailers and to the end user.
Clean Vehicles
Motor vehicles are arguably the most complex and environmentally damaging
consumer products on the planet. From the cradle to the grave, cars, vans and
trucks spread pollution and use up vast stores of natural resources. By applying
the best practices currently available in the auto industry, it is possible to
manufacture vehicles that produce less pollution from the assembly line on
through road use and to end-of-life disposition. As a general rule, motor
vehicles are classified as "clean" if they conform to three basic
standards: 1) fuel efficiency is 1.5 times the fleet average within that
vehicle's class; 2) tailpipe emissions are within California's "Super Ultra
Low Emission Vehicle" (SULEV) standard; and 3) the manufacturing process
uses fewer and non-toxic recyclable materials. This standard is supported by
American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, Ecology Center, Environmental
Defense, Great Lakes United, Michigan Environmental Council, & Union of
Concerned Scientists.
The MTS ad "Delivering a Cleaner Environment" promoting the Clean Vehicle Standard was prepared for FedEx, Environmental Defense, and the Pew Charitable Trusts.
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Certified Organic Products Labeling
Organic foods are one of the fastest growing segments in agriculture due to public desire for reduced exposure to chemical health hazards and support for a cleaner environment. The principal guideline defining "organic" is the use of materials and practices to enhance ecological balance. Organic agriculture relies on natural, time-honored practices rather than the chemical shortcuts that became fashionable in the last half of the 20th century. USDAÈs uniform organic standards and label benefit both food and other agricultural products like fiber and now even plastic.
Certified Green e Power
The non-profit organization Center for Resource Solutions established the Green-e Renewable Electricity Certification Program to encourage consumer confidence in buying "green" electricity. Green-e is the nation's first voluntary certification and verification program for "green" electricity products. The criteria requires that at least 50% of the supply is generated from the sun, water, wind, burning of wastes (biomass) or geothermal heat from the earth. In addition, in the use of any traditional fuel, emissions of sulfur dioxide (which causes acid rain), nitrogen oxide (which causes smog) and carbon dioxide (which causes climate change) must be lower than average. The companies that receive the Green-e designation must agree to an annual audit to ensure they have purchased a satisfactory amount of "renewable" power.
U. S. Green Building Council LEED Rating System
The demand for resources to create, operate and renovate our current level of infrastructure continues at a furious pace even as the resources themselves are being depleted. This reality persuaded the building industry to develop products that are more environmentally and economically viable. The LEED Green Building Rating System is a voluntary, consensus-based, market-driven rating system based on proven technology. It evaluates environmental performance of all buildings over their life, providing the definitive standard for what constitutes a "green" building. Credits are earned for satisfying each criteria, and different levels of certification are awarded based on total credits earned. The LEED system was instituted by the U. S. Green Building Council membership, representing all segments of the building industry, and is open to public scrutiny.
Salmon Friendly Products
Scientists estimate that salmon populations currently hover at less than 5% of their historic productivity and occupy only a fraction of their historic range and distribution in coastal watersheds. An effort is underway in the critical agricultural watersheds of the northwestern United States to introduce conservation methods to farms where the runoff of silt is dirtying rivers and killing salmon. Produce from farms certified as "salmon-safe" now is distributed in more than 200 groceries and supermarkets. Wine from sixteen Oregon vineyards that have adopted erosion controls also is sold as "salmon-safe." Altogether the owners of more than 15,000 acres have earned the designation.
Cleaner and Greener
sm Certification Cleaner and Greener Certification is a program of Leonardo Academy, a charitable foundation dedicated to putting the competitive markets to work on reducing environmental emissions. It helps businesses, organizations and participants who reduce environmental emissions create market rewards for their reductions, including: recognition, preferential purchasing by businesses, organizations and participants who reduce environmental emissions create market rewards for their reductions, including: recognition, preferential purchasing by consumers of products from certified companies, & adding rewards for emissions reductions from energy efficiency regulations. All certified entities are required to reduce their emissions. This is important because about 65%-85% of all energy use in the US comes from product production, delivery, & use (Green Energy, Leonardo Academy 1998).
OVERALL STANDARDS:
Nordic Swan Ecolabel
Since 1991 the Nordic Council has issued a green label emblazoned with a swan to distinguish products that have a positive effect on the environment. More than 3,000 products, mainly household chemicals, paper products, office machinery and building materials, have earned the label. The program is administered in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland. The criteria take into account environmental factors throughout the product's life cycle from raw material, production and distribution, during use and as refuse. Thus the most important parameters are identified, such as consumption of natural resources and energy, emissions into air, water and soil, as well as generation of waste and noise. Criteria are precise and measurable and are generally based on existing standards, so there is no doubt the product is legitimate. In 1998, a survey showed that more than 80 % of Norwegian customers prefer products with the Swan label.
Green Seal Product Standards
http://www.greenseal.org
Green Seal is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the environment by promoting the manufacture and sale of environmentally responsible consumer products. It sets life cycle-based environmental standards and awards a "Green Seal of Approval" to products that cause less harm to the environment than other similar products. By setting standards for environmentally responsible products, Green Seal seeks to reduce air and water pollution; cut the waste of energy and natural resources; slow ozone depletion and the risk of global warming; prevent toxic contamination; and protect fish and wildlife and their habitats.
Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Sustainability Reporting Guidelines (2000)
Social Equity Performance Indicators
GRI Social performance indicators cover 35 items to report on for workplace, human rights, suppliers,
and products and services. GRI is a long-term, multi-stakeholder, international undertaking whose mission is to develop and disseminate globally applicable sustainability reporting guidelines for voluntary use by organizations reporting on the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of their activities, products and services. The social dimension of sustainable products captures the impact of a manufacturerÈs activity on society, including on employees, customers, community, supply chain, and business partners. Unlike the environmental metrics above, social indicators are not quantitative and still contain a degree of subjectivity in terms of what is good or bad.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
http://www.sustainableproducts.com/susproddef.html
As required by well settled international law, any product communication about sustainable, green, or environmentally preferable products, or about more than one environmental benefit, e.g., "ozone friendly and non toxic", must be backed by LCA. LCA evaluates and discloses the environmental benefits of products over their full commercial cycle, from raw materials extraction to final disposition.
On behalf of MTS, Forbo Linoleum and Philips placed the ad "Is
it Green or Greenwash?" in the leading construction and design press
promoting LCA.
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SMART© Consensus Sustainable Product Standards
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SMART© Sustainable Textile Standard 2.0 (Dec. 2004) (Fabric & Apparel) SMART© Textile Standard Scorecard California Gold Sustainable Carpet Standard (July 2006) (identical to SMART©) SMART© Sustainable Flooring Standard 2.0 (Apr. 2006) SMART© Flooring Standard 2.0 Application for Manufacturers to Certify to the Standard SMART© Building Product Standard Application for Manufacturers to Certify to the Standard SMART© Sustainable Building Product Standard (Dec. 2006) SMART© Apparel Standard 2.0 Application for Manufacturers to Certify to the Standard Attachment for PHE 2-1, § 6.1.2 SMART© Textile Standard 2.0 Application for Manufacturers to Certify to the Standard |
Economic Benefits Standard
Economic Benefits Standard for Sustainable Products, Vehicles & Buildings
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Economic Benefits Standard Summary
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BOM Article to 70,000 Building Owners on Increased Profitability of Sustainable Products & Buildings
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