PRODUCT SPECIFIC STANDARDS Forest Stewardship Council Certified Wood www.certifiedwood.org The term "independently certified forest products" refers to those products originating in a forest that an independent third party has certified as well-managed and sustainable. Forest certification validates on-the-ground operations employing the best management practices at a specific forest to ensure the long-term health of the total forest ecosystem. Today, the only ratings available that meet the criteria established by the Certified Forest Products Council are those of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). FSC standards were developed by representatives of conservation groups, the timber industry, economic development organizations and the general public. A forestry operation that meets FSC standards protects forest ecosystems, water quality, wildlife habitats and local communities. To ensure the integrity of the certification, the wood and fiber from certified forests are tracked through the commercial chain from logging sites to retailers and to the end user.   Clean Vehicles www.environmentaldefense.org/greencar www.CleanCarCampaign.org Motor vehicles are arguably the most complex and environmentally damaging consumer products on the planet. From the cradle to the grave, cars, vans and trucks spread pollution and use up vast stores of natural resources. By applying the best practices currently available in the auto industry, it is possible to manufacture vehicles that produce less pollution from the assembly line on through road use and to end-of-life disposition. As a general rule, motor vehicles are classified as "clean" if they conform to three basic standards: 1) fuel efficiency is 1.5 times the fleet average within that vehicle's class; 2) tailpipe emissions are within California's "Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle" (SULEV) standard; and 3) the manufacturing process uses fewer and non-toxic recyclable materials. This standard is supported by American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, Ecology Center, Environmental Defense, Great Lakes United, Michigan Environmental Council, & Union of Concerned Scientists.   Certified Organic Products Labeling www.ota.com Organic foods are one of the fastest growing segments in agriculture due to public desire for reduced exposure to chemical health hazards and support for a cleaner environment. The principal guideline defining "organic" is the use of materials and practices to enhance ecological balance. Organic agriculture relies on natural, time-honored practices rather than the chemical shortcuts that became fashionable in the last half of the 20th century. Organic growers, shippers, processors, farmers' associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants and retailers in North America are represented by the Organic Trade Association. Founded in 1984 to promote sales of organic products, the Association has helped shape new government regulations and open up the marketplace. "Organic" is now a labeling term that denotes products produced under the authority of the Organic Foods Production Act, enacted in 1990. USDA's uniform organic standards and label benefit both food and other agricultural products like fiber and now even plastic.   Certified Green e Power www.green-e.org The traditional power supply from fossil fuels and nuclear power causes pollution and endangers the public, whereas such renewable sources as wind and solar power dramatically decrease environmental damage and are safer. Electricity is a product we pay for 24 hours a day, but never see, so it makes sense that electricity touted as good for the environment should undergo a vetting process. Thus the non-profit organization Center for Resource Solutions established the Green-e Renewable Electricity Certification Program to encourage consumer confidence in buying "green" electricity. Green-e is the nation's first voluntary certification and verification program for "green" electricity products. The criteria requires that at least 50% of the supply is generated from the sun, water, wind, burning of wastes (biomass) or geothermal heat from the earth. In addition, in the use of any traditional fuel, emissions of sulfur dioxide (which causes acid rain), nitrogen oxide (which causes smog) and carbon dioxide (which causes climate change) must be lower than average. The companies that receive the Green-e designation must agree to an annual audit to ensure they have purchased a satisfactory amount of "renewable" power.   U. S. Green Building Council LEED Rating System www.usgbc.org The demand for resources to create, operate and renovate our current level of infrastructure continues at a furious pace even as the resources themselves are being depleted. This reality persuaded the building industry to develop products that are more environmentally and economically viable. The LEED Green Building Rating System is a voluntary, consensus-based, market-driven rating system based on proven technology. It evaluates environmental performance of an entire commercial, institutional, and high-rise residential building over its full lifetime, providing a definitive standard for what constitutes a "green" building. The rating system strikes a balance between known practices and emerging concepts. Credits are earned for satisfying each criteria, and different levels of certification are awarded based on total credits earned. The LEED system was instituted by the U. S. Green Building Council membership, representing all segments of the building industry, and is open to public scrutiny.   Salmon Friendly Products Salmon-Friendly Products & Their Benefits (PDF file - 120K) Scientists estimate that salmon populations currently hover at less than 5% of their historic productivity and occupy only a fraction of their historic range and distribution in coastal watersheds. An effort is underway in the critical agricultural watersheds of the northwestern United States to introduce conservation methods to farms where the runoff of silt is dirtying rivers and killing salmon. Produce from farms certified as "salmon-safe" now is distributed in more than 200 groceries and supermarkets. Wine from sixteen Oregon vineyards that have adopted erosion controls also is sold as "salmon-safe." Altogether the owners of more than 15,000 acres have earned the designation.   Cleaner and Greener(sm) Certification www.LeonardoAcademy.org Cleaner and Greener(sm) Certification is a program of Leonardo Academy, a charitable foundation dedicated to putting the competitive markets to work on reducing environmental emissions. It helps businesses, organizations and participants who reduce environmental emissions create market rewards for their reductions, including: recognition, preferential purchasing by consumers of products from certified companies, & adding rewards for emissions reductions from energy efficiency regulations. All certified entities are required to reduce their emissions. This is important because about 65%-85% of all energy use in the US comes from product production, delivery, & use (Green Energy, Leonardo Academy 1998). This program helps businesses and organizations communicate their positive emission reduction actions to consumers. Consumers identify certified businesses and organizations taking positive action to reduce emissions so they can preferentially make their purchases from them. OVERALL STANDARDS   Natural Step System Conditions www.NaturalStep.org The Natural Step (TNS) is a non-profit environmental education organization that advocates a pragmatic framework for acting in harmony with the earth's cyclical processes. TNS was founded in Sweden in 1989 by Dr. Karl-Henrik Robért, an oncologist who observed there are limits within which a living cell will properly function. Working with other scientists, he defined a set of system conditions for sustainability based on laws of thermodynamics and natural cycles. The Natural Step works toward improved technical and organizational efficiency around the world and the use of fewer resources, especially in affluent areas. In practical terms, this means using abundant minerals instead of those that are scarce, replacing unnatural compounds with ones that break down more easily in nature, drawing resources only from well-managed eco-systems, exercising caution in all modifications of nature, using all substances produced by society efficiently, and systematically reducing dependence on fossil fuels. More than 60 corporations, including IKEA and McDonalds, have adopted the framework to change the way they do business.   Nordic Swan Ecolabel www.ecolabel.no/ecolabel/english/about.html Since 1991 the Nordic Council has issued a green label emblazoned with a swan to distinguish products that have a positive effect on the environment. More than 3,000 products, mainly household chemicals, paper products, office machinery and building materials, have earned the label. The program is administered in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland. The awarding of the Swan label is a lengthy process. Representatives from industry, the research community and environmentalist circles propose a set of criteria, which is then reviewed by national boards and must finally be approved by the Nordic Ecolabelling Board. The criteria take into account environmental factors throughout the product's life cycle from raw material, production and distribution, during use and as refuse. In practice it has proved impossible to consider the total influence on the environment. Thus the most important parameters are identified, such as consumption of natural resources and energy, emissions into air, water and soil, as well as generation of waste and noise. Criteria are precise and measurable and are generally based on existing standards, so there is no doubt the product is legitimate. In 1998, a survey showed that more than 80 % of Norwegian customers prefer products with the Swan label.   Green Seal Product Standards www.GreenSeal.org Green Seal is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the environment by promoting the manufacture and sale of environmentally responsible consumer products. It sets life cycle-based environmental standards and awards a "Green Seal of Approval" to products that cause less harm to the environment than other similar products. By setting standards for environmentally responsible products, Green Seal seeks to reduce air and water pollution; cut the waste of energy and natural resources; slow ozone depletion and the risk of global warming; prevent toxic contamination; and protect fish and wildlife and their habitats.   Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Sustainability Reporting Guidelines (2000) Social Equity Performance Indicators Guidelines (PDF file - 108K) GRI Social performance indicators cover 35 items to report on for workplace, human rights, suppliers, and products and services. GRI is a long-term, multi-stakeholder, international undertaking whose mission is to develop and disseminate globally applicable sustainability reporting guidelines for voluntary use by organizations reporting on the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of their activities, products and services. The social dimension of sustainable products captures the impact of a manufacturer's activity on society, including on employees, customers, community, supply chain, and business partners. Unlike the environmental metrics above, these indicators are not quantitative and still contain a degree of subjectivity in terms of what is good or bad.   Life Cycle Assessment As required by well settled international law, any product communication of more than one environmental benefit, must be backed by LCA. LCA is an evaluation of multiple product environmental benefits over the life of the product from raw materials extraction to final product disposition.