Green Seal's Cleaning Services Standard (GS-42)

1. Review the GS-42 Standard: Download and read the current GS-42 standard document from greenseal.org to understand all criteria, including chemical management, training requirements, equipment standards, and environmental management procedures.

1. Conduct a Gap Analysis: Compare your current cleaning operations against GS-42 requirements. Identify gaps in product compliance, staff training, documentation, and waste management practices.

1. Switch to Compliant Products: Ensure all cleaning products used meet Green Seal or equivalent ecolabel standards (e.g., GS-37, GS-40, EPA Safer Choice). Compile a compliant product list with supporting documentation.

1. Develop Written Procedures: Create or update your Environmental Management Plan (EMP), covering chemical handling, dilution control, waste disposal, equipment maintenance, and worker safety protocols.

1. Train Your Staff: Conduct and document green cleaning training for all relevant employees. Training records must demonstrate coverage of chemical safety, proper product use, and environmental practices.

1. Submit Your Application: Complete the online application at greenseal.org and pay the application fee. Submit all required documentation including your product list, EMP, training records, and equipment logs.

1. Undergo the Third-Party Audit: A Green Seal-approved auditor will conduct a desktop review of your documentation followed by an on-site inspection. Be prepared for staff interviews and facility walkthroughs.

1. Address Non-Conformances and Receive Certification: If any non-conformances are identified, correct them within the specified timeframe and resubmit evidence. Upon successful audit, Green Seal issues your certification and you may begin displaying the Green Seal mark.

GS-42 evaluates cleaning service organizations across several core criteria areas designed to minimize environmental and health impacts throughout cleaning operations.

Products and Chemicals: Auditors verify that all cleaning products used meet recognized ecolabel standards such as Green Seal (GS-37, GS-40), EPA Safer Choice, or equivalent. This includes reviewing product lists, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and purchasing records to confirm no prohibited substances are in use. Dilution control systems and proper chemical storage practices are also assessed.

Environmental Management Plan (EMP): Organizations must have a documented EMP that outlines procedures for chemical management, waste reduction, equipment maintenance, and emergency spill response. The plan must be actively implemented and accessible to all relevant staff, not merely a paper exercise.

Staff Training: All cleaning personnel must receive documented training in green cleaning practices, including safe chemical handling, proper product dilution, equipment operation, and occupant communication. Training records are reviewed for completeness and recency.

Equipment and Tools: Cleaning equipment — including vacuums, floor machines, and microfiber systems — must meet performance and efficiency standards. Vacuums, for example, must meet filtration standards to protect indoor air quality. Equipment maintenance logs are reviewed.

Waste and Resource Management: Practices for reducing packaging waste, conserving water, and minimizing single-use materials are evaluated. Organizations must demonstrate active efforts to reduce their environmental footprint beyond product selection.

Worker Health and Safety: The standard assesses whether workers are protected from hazardous chemical exposure, provided with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and trained on safe handling procedures in compliance with applicable regulations.

Green Seal's GS-42 is one of the most recognized third-party certifications for commercial cleaning services in North America. It holds particular weight in institutional procurement contexts — government agencies, healthcare systems, K-12 schools, and universities frequently reference GS-42 compliance in their janitorial service RFPs and contracts. The U.S. General Services Administration and numerous state and municipal green procurement programs recognize Green Seal certification, giving GS-42 holders a tangible competitive advantage in public sector bidding.

The green cleaning market has grown substantially since the early 2000s, driven by increased awareness of indoor air quality, occupant health, and environmental stewardship. GS-42 competes primarily with ISSA's CIMS-GB (Cleaning Industry Management Standard – Green Building), which is more management-system focused, and with LEED's Operations & Maintenance credits, which reference green cleaning as a component. GS-42 is more prescriptive and product-specific than CIMS-GB, which appeals to clients who want verifiable chemical safety assurances rather than process management alone. The EPA Safer Choice program addresses product-level certification but does not certify service providers, leaving GS-42 in a relatively unique position.

Adoption of GS-42 is concentrated among mid-to-large commercial janitorial contractors and facility service companies, particularly those operating in regulated or health-sensitive environments. While exact certified holder counts are not publicly published, the market remains relatively niche compared to product-level Green Seal certifications. Demand is expected to grow as ESG reporting requirements expand and as more institutional clients embed green cleaning requirements into their sustainability commitments. The COVID-19 pandemic also elevated interest in cleaning service standards, though it shifted some focus toward disinfection efficacy — an area where GS-42's chemical safety emphasis complements rather than conflicts with infection control goals.

Green Seal was founded in 1989 as one of the first ecolabeling organizations in the United States, modeled in part on Germany's Blue Angel program. Its original mission was to help consumers identify environmentally preferable products through rigorous, science-based standards and third-party certification. Over the following decades, Green Seal expanded from consumer products into professional and institutional markets, developing standards for a wide range of product and service categories.

The GS-42 Cleaning Services Standard was developed to address the growing demand for verified green cleaning practices in commercial and institutional settings, particularly as green building movements (including LEED) began incorporating cleaning practices into their operations criteria. The standard has been revised over time to reflect advances in green chemistry, updated regulatory requirements, and evolving best practices in occupational health and environmental management. Green Seal's standards development process involves public comment periods and input from technical experts, industry stakeholders, and environmental advocates, ensuring GS-42 remains credible and current. Today, GS-42 is widely referenced in government procurement specifications and green building operations programs across North America.