By Healthcare Facilities Today

A new Green Seal standard for institutional and industrial laundry products addresses their life cycle impacts.

To be certified under GS-51, laundry products cannot contain any carcinogens, reproductive toxins, mutagens, neurotoxins/systemic toxins, endocrine disruptors, asthmagens, and respiratory and skin sensitizers, nor cause skin corrosion or eye damage, says Green Seal.

In addition, GS-51 establishes minimum requirements for concentrated (2X) and ultra-concentrated (4X) detergents and fabric softeners. Product concentration limits environmental impact through less packaging, containing less water, and by reducing shipping and storage requirements.

Certified products must demonstrate they perform as well as their conventional counterparts, says Green Seal. GS-51 covers more than 20 categories of products for conventional laundry and dry cleaning, including detergents, prewash products, and spot removers; additives such as alkali boosters; and fabric care products such as anti-static treatment, starches, and fabric softeners.