By Healthcare Facilities Today

MARIETTA, Ga. — UL Environment, a business unit of UL (Underwriters Laboratories), launched its revised UL 175 Standard for Sanitary Paper Products. This new standard consolidates, revises and updates the following five ECOLOGO Certification Criteria Documents (CCDs): CCD-082 Toilet Tissue, CCD-083 Facial Tissue, CCD-084 Table Napkins, CCD-085 Kitchen Towels, and CCD-086 Hand Towels. Certification of products under the new version of the standard offers numerous advantages for manufacturers, with a main advantage being an even greater focus on protecting human health, as well as additional broad sustainability requirements relating to the sourcing of fiber.

“We are continuously working on advancing our standards to support reduced environmental and human health impacts,” explained Angela Griffiths, director of research and service delivery at UL Environment. “As the scientific body of knowledge around the effects of sourcing, manufacturing and using sanitary paper products has increased, and as manufacturing and the manufacturing lifecycle have become more sophisticated, we are updating our standards to reflect this new knowledge and ability in our certifications.”

Highlights to the updates in the standards relating to human health and safety include: enhanced restrictions on the use of active components which are potentially bio-accumulative and hazardous, and additional restrictions on use of chemicals which are classified as potentially carcinogenic, which have oral toxicity or which are very toxic to aquatic life, which may cause genetic damage, or which are classified as heavy metals. Additionally, any fragrance used may not include ingredients on the European Union’s allergens list and must be IFRA (International Fragrance Association) certified.

Environmental sustainability and impact updates include new criteria on packaging requirements; requirements for the sustainable sourcing of fiber (including a revised recycled content component and clearer rules for how to evidence the sourcing of fiber); improved limits on energy consumption; and requirements for biodegradable organic compound additives, including for optical brighteners.

For more information on the new standard, including highlights of the changes, a free copy of the updated standard may be obtained in its entirety at https://www.comm-2000.com.

Existing UL ECOLOGO customers who have questions about their current sanitary paper certifications or wish to enquire about renewal should contact Mike Sawchuk at Michael.Sawchuk@ul.com. Manufacturers seeking to initiate the ECOLOGO certification process should please visit our website or call us at 1.888.485.4733.

Additionally, UL Environment will be available for further discussions and assistance in booth #2689 at the ISSA/Interclean 2013 show from November 19-21.

About UL Environment

UL Environment works to advance global sustainability, environmental health, and safety by supporting the growth and development of environmentally preferable products, services, and organizations. We help companies achieve their sustainability goals—and help purchasers, specifiers, retailers, governments, and consumers find products they can trust. UL Environment offers environmental claim validations, multi-attribute product certifications, environmental product declarations, indoor air quality certification, product emissions testing, organizational sustainability certification, and consulting. For more information, visit www.ul.com/environment, and connect with us via Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook. 

About UL

UL is a premier global independent safety science company that has championed progress for 120 years. Its more than 10,000 professionals are guided by the UL mission to promote safe working and living environments for all people. UL uses research and standards to continually advance and meet ever-evolving safety needs. We partner with businesses, manufacturers, trade associations and international regulatory authorities to bring solutions to a more complex global supply chain. For more information about our certification, testing, inspection, advisory and education services, visit http://www.UL.com.