GS-

Specialty Cleaning Products for Industrial And Institutional Use

WHAT GREEN SEAL CERTIFIES

Green Seal’s GS-53 leadership standard means a specialty surface cleaning product or odor remover is safer for human health and the environment than similar products while providing uncompromising performance. It covers sanitizers, disinfectants, and products intended for routine cleaning of specialty surfaces and usage in and around institutions, warehouses, and industrial facilities including but not limited to graffiti, motor vehicles, optical lens, outdoor furniture, ovens, and upholstery. Download the full GS-53 standard.

PERFORMANCE OF GREEN

Our standard ensures the product performs for its intended use. All Green Seal-certified products must demonstrate an effective level of cleaning performance via an objective, scientifically validated method conducted under controlled and reproducible laboratory conditions. Certain product types must meet performance thresholds following approved ASTM or Consumer Specialty Products Association methods, or demonstrate they perform just as well or better than a nationally recognized or market-leading product.

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Resources

standard revisions

Latest Version:Edition 2.8, June 23, 2022

Recent Changes:GS-53 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 .

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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 ozone-depleting compounds
Prohibition on halogenated organic solvents
Limit on phosphorus
Reduced/recycled packaging
Concentrated products

RESTRICTIONS TO PREVENT ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS
Acute Toxicity (Oral)	LD50 > 5,000 mg/kg
Acute Toxicity (Inhalation)	LC50 > 20,000 ppmV at 1 hour
Skin and Eye Damage	pH of > 2.0 but less than 11.5; Must not be corrosive to skin or eyes
Skin Sensitization	Must not be a skin sensitizer
Skin Absorption	Sum of ingredients with skin notations restricted to <1%
Asthmagens	Prohibited above 100ppm (separate criteria for enzymes)
Respiratory Sensitizers	Prohibited above 100ppm
Ozone Depleting Compounds	Cannot be intentionally added at any level
Volatile Organic Compounds	Restricted to < 1% or limit set in CARB for product type
Inhalation Toxicity	Must not cause adverse health effects following chronic inhalation exposure
Carcinogens	Cannot be intentionally added at any level
Mutagens	Cannot be intentionally added at any level
Reproductive Toxins	Cannot be intentionally added at any level
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)	Cannot be intentionally added at any level
Neurotoxins / Systemic Toxins	Cannot be intentionally added at any level
Endocrine Disruptors	Cannot be intentionally added at any level
Alkylphenol Ethoxylates	Cannot be intentionally added at any level
2-butoxyethanol	Cannot be intentionally added at any level
o-Phenylphenol	Cannot be intentionally added at any level
Halogenated Organic Solvents	Cannot be intentionally added at any level
Nitro-musks	Cannot be intentionally added at any level
Polycyclic Musks	Cannot be intentionally added at any level
Triclosan	Cannot be intentionally added at any level
Toxic Release Inventory Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic Chemicals	Cannot be intentionally added at any level
Colorants	Cannot contain any intentionally added heavy metals
Phthalates	Cannot be intentionally added at any level and 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
Hexavalent Chromium	Cannot be intentionally added at any level and must not be intentionally added to primary packaging
Lead	Cannot be intentionally added at any level and must not be intentionally added to primary packaging
Mercury	Must not be intentionally added to primary packaging
Selenium	Cannot be intentionally added at any level
Cadmium	Must not be intentionally added to primary packaging
Enzymes	Products containing enzymes must meet additional criteria
Microorganisms	Products containing microorganisms must meet additional criteria

RESTRICTIONS TO PREVENT ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
Acute Toxicity to Aquatic Life	LC50 > or = 100mg/L for algae, daphnia, or fish
Aquatic Biodegradability	Each organic ingredient must readily biodegrade
Bioaccumulating Compounds	Prohibited above 100ppm
Eutrophication	Sum of total phosphorus restricted to < or = 0.5%
Optical Brighteners	Prohibited above 100ppm

REQUIREMENTS TO PREVENT WASTE
Plastic Packaging	Must be either source-reduced, recyclable, contain at least 25% post-consumer material or be a refillable package with an effective take-back program
Non-Plastic Packaging	Must be either recyclable or contain at least 25% post-consumer material
Aerosol Packaging	Recycling programs must be available for packaging where product is sold
Use Labelling	Must have detailed instructions for proper use to minimize waste
Recycling Labelling	Plastic packages must be marked with 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.