GS-

Soaps, Cleansers, Hand Sanitizers and Shower Products

WHAT GREEN SEAL CERTIFIES

Green Seal’s GS-44 leadership standard means a soap, cleanser, hand sanitizer or shower product is safer for human health and the environment compared to similar products while providing uncompromising performance. Also included are alcohol-based hand sanitizers that are leave-on products meant for consumer use. Download the full GS-44 standard.

PERFORMANCE OF GREEN

Our standards ensure the product performs as well as or better than other nationally recognized products of its type for equivalent usages and at equivalent concentrations. All Green Seal certified products must demonstrate an effective level of performance via an objective, scientifically validated method conducted under controlled and reproducible laboratory conditions.standard ensures the product performs for its intended use.

Full Standard Apply Now

Resources

standard revisions

Latest Version:Edition 4.3, June 23, 2022

Recent Changes:GS-44 underwent corrections and/or clarifications and was re-published on October 27, 2023. For details on the non-substantive changes made to this standard, please see the Standard Documents Library.

Recent Revision: Green Seal added standard criteria for alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Visit Edition 4.2 in our Library to see a complete record of the standard criteria development process.

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CRITERIA THAT HELP PRESERVE THE CLIMATE

Many of the standards for human health, minimizing waste, and ensuring clean water also help preserve the climate:

Content limits on volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Prohibition on halogenated organic solvents
Prohibition on ozone-depleting compounds
Limits on phosphorus
Reduced/recycled packaging

RESTRICTIONS TO PREVENT ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS
Acute Toxicity (Oral)	LD50 > 5,000 mg/kg
Acute Toxicity (Inhalation)	LC50 > 20 mg/L at 1 hour
Dermal Toxicity (Skin)	LC50 > 2,000 mg/kg
Skin and Eye Irritation	pH of > 2.0 but less than 11.5; Cannot include GHS Skin Category 1 or 2; GHS Eye Category 1
Skin Sensitization	Must not be a skin sensitizer per LLNA or USEPA Guidelines for skin sensitization
Skin Absorption	Ingredients carrying skin notations sum to <1% (ACGIH TLV and DFG MAK lists)
Asthmagens	Must be free of at any level when intentionally added
Chronic Inhalation Toxicity	NOAEL > 1 mg/L
Ozone Depleting Compounds	Must be free of above 100ppm
Volatile Organic Compounds	Restricted to < 1%
Carcinogens	Must be free of above 100ppm
Mutagens	Must be free of above 100ppm
Reproductive Toxins	Must be free of above 100ppm
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)	Cannot be intentionally added at any level
Alkylphenol Ethoxylates	Must be free of at any level when intentionally added
2-butoxyethanol	Must be free of at any level when intentionally added
Butylated Hydroxytoluene	Must be free of at any level when intentionally added
Ethoxylated Chemicals	Must be free of at any level when intentionally added
Ethylene Diaminetetra-acetic Acid or any of its Salts	Must be free of at any level when intentionally added
Halogenated Organic Solvents	Must be free of at any level when intentionally added
Methyldibromo Glutaronitrile	Must be free of at any level when intentionally added
Monoethanolamine, Diethanolamine, Triethanolamine	Must be free of at any level when intentionally added
Nitro-musks	Must be free of at any level when intentionally added
Parabens	Must be free of at any level when intentionally added
Polycyclic Musks	Must be free of at any level when intentionally added
Phthalates	Must be free of at any level when intentionally added and not be intentionally introduced to primary packaging
Selenium	Must be free of at the component level
Hexavalent Chromium	Must be free of at any level when intentionally added and not be intentionally introduced to primary packaging
Lead	Must be free of at any level when intentionally added and not be intentionally introduced to primary packaging
Mercury	Must be free of at any level when intentionally added and not be intentionally introduced to primary packaging
Cadmium	Must not be intentionally added to primary packaging
Bisphenol A	Must not be intentionally added to primary packaging
Chlorinated Materials	Must not be intentionally added to primary packaging
Preservatives	Not allowed outside intended use of preservation of product

RESTRICTIONS TO PREVENT ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
Acute Toxicity to Aquatic Life	LC50 > 100 mg/L for algae, daphnia, or fish
Aquatic Biodegradability	Each organic ingredient must readily biodegrade (OEDC)
Bioaccumulating Compounds	Must be free of above 100ppm
Eutrophication	< 0.2% by weight of total phosphorus
Optical Brighteners	Must be free of above 100ppm

REQUIREMENTS TO PREVENT PACKAGING WASTE
Primary Packaging	Must be either source-reduced or recyclable and contain at least 25% post-consumer material or the maximum available post-consumer material
Use Labelling	Must have detailed instructions for proper use to minimize waste
Recycling Labelling	Plastic packages must be marked with the appropriate Resin Identification Code and have clear recycling instructions for disposal

A GREEN YOU CAN TRUST

All Green Seal-certified products must meet industry best practices for Quality and Safety.

Combustibility

Fragrances

Animal Testing

Proper Use Training

Labelling

Safety Data Sheets

Our standards are referenced by the leading green building certification programs.