ANN ARBOR, MICH.—NSF International (NSF) and the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute (ACS GCI) have developed an American National Standard that provides a standardized way to define and report the environmental and human health hazards associated with a chemical product and its manufacturing process impacts.
The new standard, officially known as NSF/GCI/ANSI (American National Standards Institute) 355 Greener Chemicals and Processes Information Standard, establishes standardized criteria for comparing chemicals and processes that help chemical manufacturers and their customers make greener choices.
The standard outlines a framework that chemical manufacturers will use to develop one comprehensive, standardized NSF/GCI/ANSI 355 report to provide information to their customers throughout the supply chain. The report will be used to evaluate chemical products and their associated manufacturing processes in several key categories, including:
• Chemical Characteristics—Physical chemical properties, human health effects and ecological effects;
• Chemical Processes (gate to gate)—Chemical efficiency and waste prevention, water, energy, bio-based carbon content, innovative manufacturing processes and technology, and process safety; and
• Social Responsibility—Child labor, forced and compulsory labor, and compliance with laws and regulations.
As a third-party certifier, NSF International will certify reports to this standard, meaning that users of a chemical who receive a certified NSF/GCI/ANSI 355 report from their suppliers can be assured the report data is accurate, complete and current.
“This standard is an important tool for helping chemical manufacturers and their customers evaluate chemicals and associated manufacturing processes and make greener choices,” said Richard Engler, Ph.D., with the EPA Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics.
Many Participated in Standard Creation
NSF International and ACS GCI gathered a broad and diverse group of stakeholders to help develop the standard. The group consisted of public health/regulatory officials, industry representatives, user/consumer representatives, and other interest groups who worked together to develop a uniform method by which to assess and report attributes for the chemical’s characteristics and manufacturing processes.
“NSF/GCI/ANSI 355: Greener Chemicals and Processes Information Standard provides suppliers with a framework to provide information about products to downstream manufacturers, processors and formulators,” said Ann M. Mason, American Chemistry Council’s senior director. “The standard contains defined metrics that are relevant and measurable.”
More information about the standard and a sample report that identifies reporting criteria is available at www.nsf.org/info/nsfgci355.
