cleanthoughts EPA Enters With Big Green News Publisher Matt Gallinger mgallinger @ ntpmedia.com Associate Publisher Micah Ogburn mogburn @ ntpmedia.com Senior Editor Rich DiPaolo rdipaolo @ ntpmedia.com Associate Editor Aaron Baunee abaunee @ ntpmedia.com ext. 3159 ext. 3179 (516) 404-4532 A ext. 3157 Although next month is Cleaning & Maintenance Management’s CM/Spotlight: Green Cleaning issue, a noteworthy news release was published on CM e-News Daily™ in early April that is too significant to wait another month. So at the risk of green overload (and really, is that possible at this point?), Iʼd like to dedicate this space to discuss the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencyʼs (EPA) most recent announcement. of green cleaning, and the increasing availability of environmentally preferable products that also meet the most stringent performance and health and safety requirements,” noted Balek. The entire release, along with details about the current internal pilot and future projects, can be found on cmmonline.com. Account Executive Susan Pierce spierce @ ntpmedia.com Art Director Marty Harris marty @ grandviewmedia.com Director of Business Operations Michael Perkins mperkins @ ntpmedia.com Ad Materials Manager Rebecca Follos [email protected] CMI Administrative Manager Sharon Hillis shillis @ ntpmedia.com ® (256) 715-0342 ext. 3133 ext. 3138 Day Of Reckoning? Approximately seven months ago, when the groundwork was being established for this most recent announcement, I turned to members of the cmmonline.com Bulletin Board for opinions. Some were simply confused by the ini-tiative since the primary purpose of a dis-infectant is to destroy microorganisms. And green cleaningʼs purpose — as weʼre informed — is to not harm the environ-ment, including living organisms. There are obviously some grey areas in this conversation and literal interpretation can lead to confusion. However, policy changes appear to be coming and, even though customers might not be aware now, the success of these potential claims and labels will be consumer-driven … if the products work and are cost comparable. Stay tuned and ask questions. CM ext. 3165 Green’s Road To Policy According to the industryʼs only daily e-News service, “U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials voiced interest in recommending the adoption of a policy that allows suppliers to make valid [environmentally preferability] claims for disinfectants and sanitizers.” The release also states that this move is uncharacteristic of the Agencyʼs “well entrenched policy that prohibits ʻgreenʼ claims to be made in conjunction with the promotion of any EPA registered product, including antimicrobial pesticides.” But now efforts and attention are being shifted to disinfectants and sanitizers. Although the process is not yet com-plete, the EPA planned to make the rec-ommendations at the April 22-23 meeting of EPAʼs Pesticide Policy Dialogue Committee. According to the release, the green claim policy recommendations are based on the EPA Working Group on Comparative Claims. Steve Ashkin, a prominent green con-sultant, and Bill Balek, director of legisla-tive affairs for ISSA, played key roles in this group. “This latest development by EPA is another indication of the growing maturity Editorial, Advertising & Publishing Offices NTP Media, division of 13 Century Hill Drive • Latham, NY 12110-2197 (518) 783-1281 FAX: (518) 783-1386 For subscription information local calls (847) 763-1867 or Toll Free (866) 721-4807 Canada Post: Publications Mail Agreement #40612608 Canada Returns to be sent to: Bleuchip International, P.O. Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2 Corporate General Manager Barry Lovette [email protected] Vice President of Operations Brent Kizzire [email protected] Chief Marketing Officer, Publishing Services Group Hank Brown [email protected] Vice President of Business Publishing Tracy Aston-Martin [email protected] Vice President of Finance Brad Youngblood [email protected] Director of Circulation & Fulfillment Delicia Poole [email protected] Circulation Manager Kendall Reeves [email protected] Honorary Advisory Board: Mike Adams, Greenfield, IN; Stephen Ashkin, Bloomington, IN; Jim Brewer, Arlington, TX; Laura Dellutri, Lenexa, KS; Ron Goerne, Bloomington, IL; Russell Kendzior, Southlake, TX; Don McNulty, Blue Springs, MO; Bob Merkt, West Bend, WI. Richard DiPaolo, Senior editor Send comments or thoughts on this topic or any other article that appears in CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ® magazine, to [email protected]. CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management Online™ Service at www.cmmonline.com 4 CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ® • May 2009
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