As the days become shorter, the nights become cooler, and the colors of the leaves change, we are reminded that the summer season has now begun its slow transformation into fall. At the same time, we are reminded that the flu season is fast approaching, and this year there are heightened concerns around the spread of infectious disease.
Public service providers such as hospitals, schools, and food service establishments will heavily rely on hand sanitizers to protect human health. This is why it couldn’t have been a better time for EcoLogo to release its first draft of its Hand Sanitizers Standard to stakeholders.
Hand Sanitizers is also a new product category for EcoLogo. “This new standard will allow purchasers to select hand sanitizing products with reduced environmental and health impacts,” says Scot Case, Executive Director of the EcoLogo Program. “Stakeholders play such an integral role in the standard development process, as well. Representatives from environmental NGOs and other not-for-profit organizations, academic experts, manufacturers, industry associations, government representatives, and purchasing professionals who take part in this process will help ensure environmental leadership is achieved.”
The EcoLogo Program is asking stakeholders to comment on the first draft standard to ensure fair, transparent, and broad participation. This stakeholder consultation period will be open for 30 days beginning September 18, 2009. Comments must be received by Monday, October 19, 2009.
This fall, we should all remember to wash our hands frequently and purchase environmentally preferable products to protect both ourselves and the environment.
To participate in the development of this standard, the EcoLogo team is asking those interested to send an email to Robin Duchesneau at: rduchesneau@terrachoice.com, or call: (613) 247-1900 ext. 239 or (800) 478-0399 ext. 239 for more information.
View the proposed draft standard here: www.ecologo.org
Posted by WadeMetcalfe in Environmental standards, Green products, Health