Chemical cleaning

Nabil Bou Ali, marketing coordinator, 3M, explains what to look out for when purchasing environmentally friendly cleaning products.

The global industrial and institutional cleaning products market is forecast to reach US $23bn (AED 84.4bn) by the end of 2010, according to Christ Fountain, event director of Working Buildings Middle East exhibition.

Even though the figures come from a report evidencing a slow growth rate in this particular sector, the Asia Pacific and Middle East cleaning industry represents the fastest growing region, with an annual increase of 4%.

Environmentally friendly products are favorable, opening up the industry to a more sustainable way of cleaning. But how can companies ensure they are environmentally safe?

More and more companies are recognising that environmentally responsible design and production are an integral part of their mission and the value they want to deliver to their customers.

For example, Green Seal is an independent non-profit organisation dedicated to the environment and promoting environmentally friendly products. As more and more businesses have begun to recognise that environmental priorities can be translated into market advantage, they've turned to Green Seal certification to give them a business edge.

By identifying, certifying and promoting environmentally responsible products and services, companies are improving the environment through various means: reducing toxic pollution and waste; conserving resources and habitats; minimising global warming and ozone depletion; increasing health and wellbeing, particularly in populations most affected by product choice, such as schoolchildren, service staff, and the elderly and demonstrating to various business segments that environmentally responsible products can improve quality and boost profitability.

What is achieved?

By doing this, companies will deliver sound, actionable advice to manufacturers, purchasers and individuals who want to make a positive impact on the environment, quality of life and help government agencies and other institutions meet their goals and fulfill green procurement policies.

Companies will also give more focus to marketing their environmentally green products.

Are your chemicals safe?

Companies should determine if the chemicals they intend to use are on a regulated list for the countries, where it will be marketed by searching the Chemical Data Management System (CDMS) database.

The EHS contact in the countries where the product will be marketed may also need to be involved in a review of their respective national regulations that apply to the chemical components.

The search results can indicate substances that are on restricted lists (such as a Toxic Substances Control - TSCA or SNUR) and are hazardous in a way that may limit their commercial acceptance or the need to disclose their presence in product formulations.

For each regulated list that includes the chemical of interest, determine what action (if any) must be taken.

Also determine if there are any marketing or use restrictions specific to the countries where you intend to sell a product. Establish what actions need to be taken in order to comply with any country-specific regulations.

Commercial cleaning products often contain irritants that can trigger an asthma episode. The green cleaning products recommended here are effective, inexpensive and safe for you and the environment.