DuPage County businesses know that prioritizing sustainability is about more than reducing harm to the environment. It’s a way to promote local economic growth, create business opportunities and proactively address challenges for future generations.
Most importantly, it’s about action.
Consumers want to know that the companies they support are taking tangible steps to help combat environmental harm. As such, it’s paramount for organizations of all sizes to do things like earn clean energy certifications, pursue commercial energy incentives, stay on top of sustainability education, and leverage other sustainable business resources.
In this blog, we’ll delve into five essential clean product certification programs that empower businesses to evolve into more eco-conscious and profitable enterprises. Keep reading to explore how these certifications, ranging from sustainable business site recognition to green product badges, can help your company scale up responsibly and effectively.
1. UL ECOLOGO® CERTIFICATION
UL ECOLOGO® sustainable product certifications are a powerful endorsement of a business’s dedication to environmental sustainability. This voluntary, multi-attribute certification program evaluates products and services across various criteria, including materials, energy usage, manufacturing practices, environmental impact, product performance and innovation.
Certifiable product categories include:
- Building Materials
- Cleaning Items
- Disinfectants
- Electronics
- Office Supplies
- Paper And Plastic Goods
- Personal Care Items
- Mineral Exploration Equipment
- Renewable Electricity Products
ECOLOGO® certification is a remarkable asset for sustainable businesses in the DuPage area. It signifies a genuine commitment to responsible manufacturing practices and harnessing clean energy in DuPage County—assuring customers and partners that your company has gone the extra mile to meet stringent third-party standards.
2. UL GREENGUARD CERTIFICATION
The UL GREENGUARD certification program addresses the rising concerns of chemical emissions and their effects on businesses’ indoor air quality. It sets strict test methods and emission limits for various product categories, including:
- Furniture
- Flooring
- Building Materials
- Electronic Equipment
- Interiors
- Cleaning Products
Obtaining UL GREENGUARD Certification not only improves the well-being of employees and customer satisfaction concerning indoor air quality; it can open pathways to valuable sustainability incentives for businesses committed to enhancing their commercial properties.
Products holding UL GREENGUARD Certification can earn points in recognized green building rating systems like LEED. Plus, they can fulfill code or ordinance criteria and IAQ-specific request for proposal (RFP) requirements.
3. GREEN SEAL CERTIFICATION
Green Seal, a pioneer in eco-labeling, certifies a wide range of products across the following categories:
• Paints
• Floor Care
• Cleaning Supplies
• Laundry Products
• Personal Care Items
• Paper
• Plastic Trash Bags
Their iconic certification mark is a widely recognized symbol of health and environmental leadership, specified by more than 100 federal, state, and local purchasing policies. On top of that, all products that receive a Green Seal certification can display Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly badge—an invaluable tool for marketing and building trust in your brand.
4. EPEAT CLIMATE+™ ECOLABEL
Managed by the Global Electronics Council, EPEAT Climate+™ is an ecolabel that measures the social and environmental impacts of electronics and tech products from cradle to grave.
To receive an EPEAT Climate+™ certification, products must demonstrate their compliance with EPEAT’s rigorous climate change criteria and meet requirements for circularity, reduced use of harmful chemicals, and corporate ESG performance. Categories include:
- Computers
- Imaging Equipment
- Mobile Phones
- Photovoltaic Modules
- Inverters
- Servers
- Televisions
Obtaining this certification is beneficial for a few reasons. First, it assures purchasers that your business is taking actionable steps to become more sustainable. It also means joining a network of like-minded companies helping drive change at a global scale, working product by product to mitigate environmental damage.
5. GREENSCREEN®CERTIFICATION
GreenScreen® Certification recognizes products that are free from thousands of toxic chemicals—PFAS, phthalates, bisphenols, etc.—and promotes the use of more environmentally friendly chemistry throughout the manufacturing process.
Businesses that produce the following goods are eligible for GreenScreen® Certification:
- Firefighting Foam
- Cleaners & Degreasers in Manufacturing
- Furniture & Fabrics
- Food Service Ware
- Textile Chemicals
Becoming a GreenScreen®-certified business not only demonstrates your company’s commitment to social responsibility and ethical business practices; it also helps empower your purchasers to make more informed decisions. This is especially important given the complicated nature of PFAS and other toxic chemicals—consumers deserve to know if what they’re buying is safe.
LEARN MORE ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY IN DUPAGE COUNTY
If you’re considering relocating your business to the Chicago area, start your search in DuPage County, Illinois. With abundant industrial properties and a thriving local economy—plus innovative public- and private-sector programs promoting solar energy in DuPage County and green energy in Chicago and beyond—we’re built for eco-friendly businesses.
Whether you represent an established company seeking expansion or a budding startup eager to explore new horizons, now is the time to join our dynamic, forward-thinking business hub.
Reach out to us at info@ChooseDuPage.com to learn more.