Green Seal Prohibits PFAS in Floor Care Products

Global nonprofit Green Seal® now prohibits any per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Green Seal-certified floor care products, adhesives, paints and coatings, and degreasers, in line with the ecolabel’s commitment to eliminate these harmful “forever chemicals” from the supply chain for consumer products.  

Green Seal is among the first eco-certifiers to enact an aggressive ingredient prohibition that addresses PFAS as an entire chemical class. Mirroring the definition used in the majority of U.S. state-level PFAS bans, the nonprofit defines PFAS as a chemical with one or more fully fluorinated carbon atoms— the most expansive definition, encompassing more than 14,000 chemicals. 

Green Seal-certified products meet one of the highest benchmarks for safety and environmental protection in the marketplace. Because of Green Seal’s stringent criteria, certified paints and coatings qualify toward points for both the LEED v4.1 Low-Emitting Materials credit and the LEED v4.1 Material Ingredient Optimization credit. 

Now, the organization also will verify that certified paints and other building restoration products are formulated without any PFAS, putting participating brands in a leadership position on this toxic chemical and protecting companies against greenwashing by substantiating their sustainability claims. The update to building restoration product criteria follows a similar update to Green Seal’s criteria for cleaning and personal care products.  

“Both producers and buyers know the hazards of PFAS but lack reliable ways to ensure products are formulated without these toxic chemicals,” said Doug Gatlin, Green Seal CEO. “Green Seal’s standard criteria eliminate PFAS from the product formula while maintaining performance requirements, so buyers can confidently choose safer and more sustainable products.” 

PFAS have carbon-fluorine bonds that make them very stable and effective at repelling oil, water, and heat. This unique chemical structure also makes them resistant to degradation, meaning they persist in the environment as so-called “forever chemicals.” PFAS are now found in the blood of most people around the world and are linked to numerous adverse health effects, including cancer, reproductive harm, and decreased immune response. 

PFAS frequently are used as functional ingredients in building restoration products. A recent study found that half of tested paint products contain PFAS, which may be used for glossiness, to reduce peeling, or for stain resistance or water repellency. Most acrylic and wax floor finishes on the market contain PFAS as leveling and wetting agents, and PFAS are also used to increase wettability in adhesives. 

Find the full list of Green Seal certified products in Green Seal’s product directory.