In the United States, there are a variety of environmental certificates that businesses should be aware of if they want to demonstrate their commitment to the environment (or in some cases, legal compliance). These certificates are issued by NGOs, regulatory bodies, and state governments and can address everything from energy efficiency to wildlife conservation.
While many of these certifications may not be legally mandatory, they can still be beneficial for businesses that value environmental responsibility. In addition to this, having an environmental certificate may help your business gain access to certain government incentives or grants that are only available to organizations with a proven commitment to environmental protection and sustainability.
In this article, we'll give you an overview of the most important environmental certificates available to businesses in the United States.
If you're doing business in the United States in the manufacturing or construction sector, here are some of the most important environmental certificates you should be aware of:
ISO 14001 is an internationally recognized standard that outlines criteria for an environmental management system. Relevant for all businesses, it addresses a company’s environmental performance through the efficient use of resources and reduction of waste.
While not legally mandated, obtaining ISO 14001 demonstrates a company’s commitment to environmental stewardship and can go a long way towards improving a company’s public image. Pursuing this certification is the first step for many businesses that want to demonstrate commitment to environmental protection and sustainability.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a certification program that assesses the environmental performance of new and existing buildings based on metrics such as energy efficiency, water conservation, materials selection, indoor air quality, and overall sustainability.
Buildings can receive one of four levels of LEED certification: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The level of LEED is determined using a points-based system based on the number of criteria met by the building. LEED is a voluntary certification, but LEED-certified buildings often have increased property values. They are far cheaper to run and occupy, which makes them more attractive to prospective buyers and tenants.
Initiated by the U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, this certification identifies top-performing energy-efficient products, homes, and commercial buildings. From appliances to corporate offices, products or buildings that earn the ENERGY STAR label have typically met stringent energy efficiency requirements.
Since 1992, the ENERGY STAR system has had a significant impact on reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions in the U.S. So far, it's saved over 5 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity, more than $500 billion in energy costs and over 4 billion metric tons of emissions! Today, ENERGY STAR is one of the most widely recognized environmental marks in the world.
While voluntary, certain tax incentives and credits may be available for ENERGY STAR-compliant businesses.
The FSC is an independent, non-profit organization that promotes responsible forestry by setting standards for forest management and certification of wood products. It has become the go-to certification for businesses and consumers looking for sustainable timber products.
FSC-certified forests are managed to meet the legal, social, and environmental requirements set out in their standards. This includes protection of biodiversity, water sources, and soil health.
Manufacturers who use wood and other forest resources can get FSC's chain-of-custody certification. This certification tells your suppliers and customers that you're serious about sourcing materials in a sustainable and eco-friendly way. Once certified, you can put the well-recognized FSC logo on your products, giving your customers confidence that they're buying products that don't negatively impact forests.
Green Seal is an independent, non-profit organization that provides environmental certification for businesses and products. It awards its seal of approval to products that meet its stringent standards for sustainability, safety, and performance. This includes standards for workplace health and safety, material toxicity levels, as well as product durability and recyclability.
Manufacturers can apply for Green Seal certification for their products if they meet the criteria. Once certified, products can be labeled with the Green Seal logo, making it easier for consumers to identify eco-friendly items. This label also helps businesses differentiate themselves from competitors by demonstrating their commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
C2C is a global certification program that recognizes products designed to be safe for people and the environment. It evaluates products based on five core pillars: material health, recyclability, renewable energy use, water stewardship, and social fairness. Targeted at manufacturers and designers, this certification helps companies identify where they can improve their products in terms of sustainability and green design. Companies that receive C2C certification are eligible to use the C2C logo on their products, helping them market themselves as environmentally friendly.
In order to apply for C2C certification, manufacturers must provide a comprehensive materials inventory, detailing all the materials used in your product. They must also provide evidence of their compliance with the C2C standards in each of the five areas mentioned above. Companies can use certified components, such as renewable energy and materials that meet specific performance criteria, to help improve their score.
The WaterSense label is issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is awarded to products that meet strict criteria for water efficiency and performance. This includes toilets, urinals, showerheads, faucets, landscape irrigation controllers, and various other fixtures. There is no legal requirement to meet WaterSense certification – it's a voluntary partnership between the EPA and manufacturers to help reduce water usage. In order to qualify for this certification, products must meet performance standards set by the EPA.
The WaterSense label is designed to help consumers identify products that are both efficient and high performing. From the customer's perspective, WaterSense-labeled products can also help them save money on their water bill – so it's not just about environmental sustainability.
Homes and commercial buildings can also apply for WaterSense certification if they meet certain criteria. Typically, this will include a combination of water-efficient fixtures and adhering to the best practices for water conservation set out by the EPA.
The Safer Choice label is issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It is awarded to products that demonstrate safety to human health and the environment. The voluntary program assesses each product for its environmental attributes, such as ingredients, formulae, packaging materials, manufacturing practices, and other factors. To qualify for this certification, a product must meet strict criteria for safety and performance.
The Safer Choice label is designed to help consumers identify products that are not only safe, but also high-performing. The certification process guarantees that the product is free from any toxic or hazardous substances that can be harmful to both humans and the environment. This helps customers make informed decisions when purchasing items for their homes and businesses. From a business perspective, this certification can also help to differentiate and position your brand in the marketplace as a leader in green technology.
Green-e® Energy certification is a program administered by the non-profit Center for Resource Solutions and supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In existence since 1997, it provides assurance that energy suppliers are complying with regulations that protect the environment and supplying "clean" energy from renewable sources.
To qualify for this certification, the supplier must meet certain criteria in terms of the rate of renewable energy source use, customer protection standards, and transparency requirements. Businesses that have met the criteria for Green-e® certification will be recognized with a certificate that backs up their commitment to the supply of clean energy. If you run a business and you want to reduce your reliance on unclean energy, then partnering with a Green-e® Certified supplier is a great way to do it.
Green-e® Climate is an internationally recognized program that verifies carbon offsets. Carbon offsets are measures taken to compensate for emissions produced from activities such as driving, flying, and using heat. This certification ensures that the carbon offsets you buy are of the highest quality and genuinely help in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The certification process includes checking that offsets come from projects verified by trusted programs like the American Carbon Registry and the Gold Standard. But Green-e® also oversees how these offsets are sold and marketed to consumers, ensuring transparency and fairness for both buyers and sellers.
In simpler terms, it's a stamp of approval. If you see a product with the Green-e® Climate label, you can trust that you're genuinely contributing to a greener planet. It's notable for being the first program that holds retailers accountable in the voluntary carbon offset market, offering an added layer of quality assurance.
SMaRT©is a globally recognized certification that provides businesses with an objective third-party assessment of their sustainability practices with a focus on the use of green materials and design. To obtain the SMaRT© Sustainable Product Certification, products need to meet specific criteria across the global supply chain.
They must gain 14 essential points and a minimum of 28 from a possible 162 in areas such as environmental safety, renewable energy use, material recycling, and innovative manufacturing practices. Key requirements include providing documentation on materials used, energy consumption in manufacturing, adherence to environmental and social policies, ensuring safe working conditions, using a life cycle assessment process, and ensuring the product's durability and sustainable reuse. In essence, the SMaRT© Certification Program is designed to help businesses reduce their environmental impact while meeting consumer demand for sustainable products.
The Clean Air Act was passed in 1963 and has since been seen as one of the most important environmental laws in the United States. The Act covers a range of air pollutants, including carbon dioxide, ozone, sulfur oxides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter.
To receive the Clean Air Act Certification, companies must comply with all legal requirements and show that their operations are not causing or contributing to air pollution. For example, businesses must make sure that the emissions from their processes do not exceed National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Companies must also demonstrate that they have adopted best practices to protect against air pollution and installed pollution control equipment where appropriate.
GreenGuard Certification is a widely recognized industry standard for assessing the indoor air quality of building products or systems. In order to receive GreenGuard certification, companies must demonstrate that their products meet low-emission requirements and promote healthier interior environments.
The certification process includes testing the product's emissions in accordance with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) protocols. Additionally, manufacturers must show that their products have undergone rigorous testing in order to meet GreenGuard standards and have also been verified by an independent third-party laboratory.
Certification is valid for two years and must be renewed after expiration. Companies can voluntarily seek this certification to demonstrate their commitment to healthier interior air quality and sustainability.
SFI Certification is a comprehensive, independent system for certifying responsible forestry management. Companies must demonstrate they are following all applicable laws and regulations, as well as SFI standards, which are based on the latest scientific and technological advancements in forestry.
To be eligible for certification, companies must prove that their operations adhere to sustainable forest management practices that protect water quality, support biodiversity, and foster healthy ecosystems. Companies must also show that their operations are conducted in a socially responsible manner, with workers and local communities taken into consideration. As a manufacturer, partnering with SFI-certified suppliers ensures that your products are sourced from responsibly managed forests while promoting broader sustainability goals.
GOTS certification is an internationally recognized system for certifying organic textiles. To be eligible, companies must prove that their products contain at least 70% certified organic fibers, and meet a wide range of environmental criteria such as restricted use of chemicals and toxins, zero discharge of hazardous chemicals, energy and water efficient manufacturing processes, and ethical labor practices.
For a product to meet the GOTS criteria, all stages of its production must adhere to the certification standard. This includes harvesting and spinning of the raw materials, dyeing and finishing processes, packaging, labeling, transport, storage, and a whole lot more! By partnering with GOTS-certified suppliers, you're going above and beyond to ensure that your products are made using only certified organic fibers. You're also promoting social responsibility, environmental protection, and improved quality of life for those involved in the production process.
The WELL Building Standard focuses on the importance of designing and constructing buildings with people's health and wellness at the forefront. It takes a comprehensive approach, considering various aspects of the built environment, including the quality of air, water, nourishment, light, fitness provisions, comfort, and mental well-being. The criteria are rooted in medical research, which highlights the connection between the places where we spend most of our time and their impact on our health and well-being.
The WELL Building Standard is versatile, and suitable for various real estate sectors, from commercial office spaces to educational institutions. The certification provides an opportunity for building owners, developers, and other stakeholders to make a positive impact on the environment and construct buildings that prioritize the health of their occupants.
The Living Building Challenge (LBC) promotes eco-friendly construction that goes beyond sustainability to be regenerative, aiming to positively rejuvenate its surroundings. The International Living Future Institute, which oversees the LBC, promotes a harmonious future where buildings support both people and the planet.
LBC 4.0 emphasizes that such design should be accessible to all, regardless of location or challenges. The challenge breaks down into seven performance areas: Place, Materials, Water, Equity, Energy, Beauty, and Health and Happiness. These "petals" – as the International Living Future Institute refers to them – encourage designers to create buildings that harmonize with nature, use sustainable products, respect local water sources, promote fairness, rely on renewable energy, inspire through design, and prioritize occupants' well-being. The overarching goal is for buildings to be self-sustaining and to give more than they take from the environment.
The Clean Water Act (CWA) is a federal law passed in 1972 to regulate the discharge of pollutants into U.S. waters, including wetlands and streams. The CWA requires developers and builders to obtain certification from their state water quality department before starting any project that might affect local waters or wetlands. This process is known as Section 401 Certification.
Earning Section 401 Certification typically involves submitting a Water Quality Protection Plan (WQPP) to the relevant water quality agency. This plan should detail the project and its potential impacts on water resources, as well as any measures that will be taken to mitigate damages or conserve resources. The WQPP must also include an analysis of feasible alternatives for achieving the project's goals. Once the plan is approved, Section 401 Certification can be granted, and construction of the project can begin.
In the U.S., there are many ways for manufacturers and all types of businesses to demonstrate environmental responsibility. The certifications above are just a few of the available options. There are more that may be applicable depending on the project or industry.
Companies that make the effort to obtain these certifications demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and their appreciation of the environment. This can often translate into a more positive public perception and greater customer loyalty. In light of this, obtaining environmental certificates is a smart business move that not only helps protect local ecosystems but also promotes a benevolent corporate identity.
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