Defining a ‘greener and safer product’ is not as easy as it may seem but there are guiding principles.

Here are some important criteria to consider when you are looking for a ‘greener and safer product’:

• Products that avoid toxic emissions.
• Natural or minimally processed products.
• Products that do not contain ozone-depleting substances.
• Products that provide alternatives to hazardous chemicals such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), PCBs and brominated flame retardants.
• Products that reduce or eliminate pesticide treatments.
• Products with high durability and low maintenance requirements.
• Products that reduce stormwater pollution and hazardous waste.

For more information see www.ecospecifier.org and www.greenspec.co.uk