Upcoming Revision: The market for recycled fiber has undergone dramatic changes in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and impacts of the China Sword policy. Due to these changes, Green Seal is evaluating possible revisions to the sustainability criteria in its GS-1 Standard for Sanitary Paper Products, including the highly stringent recycled fiber requirements, to ensure they align with market needs as well as new sustainability opportunities for the product category. Through this revision, Green Seal will also explore potential certification pathways for sustainably sourced alternative fibers (e.g., bamboo) and will assess whether different leadership criteria are needed for the household market versus the away-from-home market. To find out more about this project or receive project updates, visit our Standard Projects page .
Update: March 25, 2020 – Due to the extreme impacts to the fiber supply chain as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Green Seal will work with participating organizations to temporarily make reasonable accommodations to fiber sourcing compliance. This measure will aid in the continued market flow of hygienic paper products that have consistently met the highest sustainability standard in the market.
The Green Seal Standard for Sanitary Paper Products, GS-1, establishes environmental, health, and social requirements for sanitary paper products for institutional and retail markets, including:
- bathroom tissue
- facial tissue
- paper towels
- napkins
- and placemats.
The GS-1 Standard addresses the key lifecycle hot spots including: product performance, fiber sources, restrictions on hazardous chemicals, and limits on water and energy use in manufacturing.
