The objective criteria include the following certifications:
Cradle to Cradle Certified (Silver / Gold / Platinum)
The “Bronze” level is not being included as it describes the intent/path for improvement of the product rather than its sustainability attributes.
Link to Information on the Program
Link to their direct product database
LBC Declare Red List Free / Approved
While participation in the DECLARE program is a well-intentioned step toward transparency. Being transparent does not make a product sustainable, and the LBC Institute describes this very well as being equivalent to a “nutritional label” for the environment. As with a pack of Twinkies, having a nutritional label doesn’t mean its good for you, and having a DECLARE label does not mean a product is sustainable.
The LBC Institute has two programs that do directly convey sustainability from a material-health point of view.
Link to Information on the Program
LBC Red List Free : Products disclose 100% of ingredients present at or above 100 ppm (0.01%) in the final product and do not contain any Red List chemicals
LBC Red List Approved : Products disclose a minimum of 99% of ingredients present in the final product and meet the LBC Red List Imperative requirements through one or more approved exceptions.
Link to their direct product database
Carbon Neutral Certification (Third Party)
Being “carbon neutral” needs to be evaluated contextually with other attributes. For instance, you could produce a product with one or more Red List chemicals in a modern factory and by purchasing carbon offsets. As such it is a category ripe for “greenwashing.” The Library Resources database will not consider a product sustainable with just this attribute, but it is worth consideration. The third party certification commonly considered are:
SCS Global Carbon Neutral Certification
Climate Impact Partners – Carbon Neutral Certified
NSF140 For Carpet
This is an industry derived standard, and is opaque in that it requires an almost $300 fee to view the details of the protocol. The “silver level” is considered to be the entry level to the program, with Gold and Platinum having more stringent requirements. Because the program is defined by the industry it certifies; and because it is not a readily transparent protocol; certification at any level on its own should not be considered definitive in a sustainability appellation. However, the GSA and other organizations do require NSF140 Gold, and as such is worth noting.
Link to Information on the Program
NSF332 for Resilient Flooring
Like NSF140, this is an industry derived standard and is opaque. Because the program is defined by the industry it certifies; and because it is not a readily transparent protocol; certification at any level on its own should not be considered definitive in a sustainability appellation.
Link to Information on the Program
USDA Certified Biobased Product
This is an interesting and transparent program. When seeing the label, you can take careful note below the logo where it will clearly state the material percentage of the product that is biobased, which is defined as products that are derived from plants and other renewable agricultural, marine, and forestry materials. The minimum percentage of biobased materials to obtain the label is 25%.
Link to Information on the Program
European Union – REACH
The REACH program is similar in concept (and has similar roots) to the RED LIST. It is an evolving list of chemicals that impact human health. The program places strict guidelines on the manufacture or import of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC). REACH does not directly certify products, and REACH compliance would refer to the transparency required of the system… not necessarily that the product is SVHC free. Nevertheless, statements on compliance are worth consideration, particularly if elaborated on with third party declarations on SVHC free status.
Link to Information on the Program