Frequently Asked Questions

Browse our FAQs below:

1. What is the EcoLogo Program?

   Founded in 1988 by the Government of Canada, EcoLogo is North America’s largest, most respected environmental standard and certification mark. EcoLogo provides customers – public, corporate and consumer – with assurance that the products and services bearing the logo meet stringent standards of environmental leadership. EcoLogo certifies environmental leaders in over 120 product categories, helping customers find and trust the world’s most sustainable products.

2. How do I know that EcoLogo is a legitimate eco-label?

    
    

   Because EcoLogo is:

   • A founding member of the Global EcoLabelling Network (GEN), an association of third-party environmental performance labeling organizations dedicated to improving and promoting the eco-labelling of products and services.
   • One of two North American eco-labelling programs approved by GEN as meeting internationally recognized ISO 14024 requirements.
   • A multi-attribute criteria certification program developed based on the lifecycle of a product or service.
    

3. How do I get my products or services EcoLogo-certified?

   Click here for information on the certification process and to apply.

    

4. How many EcoLogo standards are there? 

    There are 122 Ecologo standards categories.

5. Where can I find the list of EcoLogo standards?

   Click here to search our criteria.

6. What if I can’t find an EcoLogo standard for the product that I’d like to get certified? 

   If no CCD is applicable to your product category, one can be developed. For more information, please contact 1-800-478-0399 or email us at sales@terrachoice.com.

7. How much does it cost to get certified? 

   Click here for cost information.

8. How does the criteria development process work? 

    

   Click here for process information.

    

9. What is a CCD?

    

   A CCD is a Certification Criteria Document and is the name of EcoLogo’s environmental standards.

10. How is the selection and availability of EcoLogo-certified products?

     

    There are currently more than 7,000 EcoLogo certified products from more than 300 different companies/brand names.

     

11. Where can I browse for EcoLogo products and services?

     

    Click here to browse.

12. How do you verify that products comply with EcoLogo standards?

     

    Each EcoLogo standard has specific criteria based on environmental leadership for the category. Applicants to the EcoLogo Program must provide adequate documentation, test results and other information required by the standard. All materials are reviewed by an independent third-party auditor to ensure they meet the requirements of the EcoLogo standard. The auditor also conducts an on-site audit when it is required.

     

13. Does the EcoLogo sanitary paper standard consider all phases of the life cycle?

     

    The EcoLogo Program takes a multi-attribute, lifecycle approach to developing its standards. All attributes are given the same level of attention, which for paper includes recycled content, solid waste, resource and energy consumption, measure of organic pollutants in water (COD-Chemical Oxygen Discharge) and aquatic toxicity.

    The EcoLogo Program regularly reviews its standards to ensure they continue to reflect environmental leadership.

14. In order to be authorized to be awarded EcoLogo certification, what criteria must a paper product meet?

     

    While some organizations measure environmental performance using simple proxy measures like minimum recycled-content requirements, the EcoLogo program actually measures mill performance, mill efficiency, and pollution levels. These measures are included in a “load point” measure that is used to determine environmental preference.

    Please click here to view the EcoLogo standards for sanitary paper

     

15. What environmental impacts are considered for EcoLogo paper standards as compared to other paper certification schemes?

     
     

    A third-party comparison of environmental impacts considered by various environmental certification schemes has been conducted by the Leonardo Academy, a non-profit organization founded in 1997 with a mandate of advancing sustainability. To view the report, please visit: http://www.leonardoacademy.org/download/Janitorial%20Certification%20Programs.pdf

     

Still looking for information? Please email us at ecologo@terrachoice.com