UCSB Sustainability

Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT): EPEAT is a system to help purchasers in the public and private sectors evaluate, compare and select desktop computers, notebooks and monitors based on their environmental attributes.

Energy Star: A program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), started in 1992, that aims to reduce our energy usage by identifying products that meet their specific standards for energy efficiency and features.

Environmental Protection Agency: The mission of the Environmental Protection Agency is to protect human health and the environment. Since 1970, EPA has been working for a cleaner, healthier environment for the American people.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC): Formed in 1993 by a global assembly of loggers, foresters, environmentalists and sociologists, the FSC certifies wood products based on criteria they create, examining the economic, social and environmental aspects of wood production.

GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI): An industry-independent, non-profit organization that oversees the GREENGUARD Certification Program. As an ANSI Authorized Standards Developer, GEI establishes acceptable indoor air standards for indoor products, environments, and buildings.

Green Seal: Founded in 1989, this non-profit organization uses scientific criteria to choose environmentally preferable choices from a wide range of consumer products, which are then identified with the Green Seal logo.

International Green Purchasing Network (IGPN): An organization which promotes Green Purchasing around the globe by coordinating those who take the initiative in implementing Green Purchasing toward sustainable consumption and production.

Responsible Purchasing Network (RPN): A national network of procurement-related professionals dedicated to socially responsible and environmentally sustainable purchasing.

Scientific Certification Systems (SCS): Established in 1984 to certify fresh produce based on pesticide residues, SCS now provides third-party certification of environmental performance and quality standards for many different manufacturing industries.

State of California EPP Best Practices Manual: Guidelines for the procurement of goods and services that have a reduced impact on human health and the environment as compared to other goods and services serving the same purpose.

U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC): A non-profit organization committed to expanding sustainable building practices. USGBC is composed of more than 12,000 organizations from across the building industry that are working to advance structures that are environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy places to live and work.