CCD-110: Cleaning and Degreasing Compounds - Biologically-based

*Please note: there is an interpretation associated with this standard. It is available for viewing at the end of the PDF document

Biologically based cleaning and degreasing compounds are used to remove soils from a variety of surfaces including plastic, glass, ceramic, metal, porcelain, rubber, leather, wood, and stone. These products contain enzymes and/or microbial cultures which promote the microbial digestion of hydrocarbons, organic soils and other undesirable substances; they may also include surfactants and other compounds to increase their efficacy. They may contain unsafe bacterial colonies, irritating substances, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), non-biodegradable surfactants, chelating compounds and toxic chemicals. These, in turn, may lead to impacts on human health, generation of ground level ozone and photochemical smog, algal blooms, and increased mortality of fish and other aquatic organisms.

The EcoLogo^TM Program addresses these challenges by establishing strict limits on toxicity, biodegradability, and VOC levels. The net environmental benefit will be a reduction in human health impact, less potential for smog formation, and diminished aquatic toxicity and eutrophication potential.

To be authorized to carry the EcoLogo, biologically based cleaning and degreasing compounds must:

• Comply with all safety and performance industry standards;
• Be safe to use (clearly identified as a product not intended for domestic use, not be classified as very toxic or corrosive, have a pH between 2 and 11.5, have a flash point above 61°C, have a maximum temperature usage less than 17°C below flash point, and include detailed instructions for proper use and disposal);
• Comply with the New Substance Notification Regulations, and use only those bacterial cultures that are derived from a Biosafety Level 1 ATCC microbial culture (or equivalent) if applicable;
• Prove the product is biologically based by having a plate count greater or equal to 1x10⁷ colony forming units per ml OR demonstrating enzyme activity by means of a standardized test;
• Have zero ozone-depleting potential (ODP);
• Not be formulated with:
  • alkylphenol ethoxylate surfactants (APEOs),
  • chlorinated solvents, aromatic solvents, or butoxy-ethanol;
  • builders that use phosphates, ethylene diaminetetracetic acid (EDTA) or nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), and
  • chemicals classified as carcinogenic;
• Contain no more than 1% by weight of volatile organic compounds if labelled as a biologically based general cleaner, or more than 5% if labelled as biologically based parts cleaner; and
• Be formulated with biodegradable surfactants only, and contain no more than 1% if labelled as a biologically based general cleaner or more than 3% if labelled as biologically based parts cleaner.