SCS' New Services Spark Excitement At Sustainable Brands '12

Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) highlighted new certification services at the Sustainable Brands Conference this week (Booth #46), designed to serve the global trend toward adoption of more intensive sustainable practices.  SCS serves leading sustainability-focused companies in 10 distinct industry verticals, such as forestry, food, biofuels, fisheries, furniture, and retail/CPG.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120406/MM83171LOGO-a)

Four of SCS' newest services featured at the show were:

• Environmental Product Declarations
• Sustainably Grown Certification for food producers
• International Sustainability & Carbon Certification for Biofuels
• Supply Chain Solutions

"We're pleased to be independently certifying some of the world's most innovative companies, from Fortune 500 companies to new start-ups," said Stanley Rhodes, SCS President. "Certification helps consumers and business customers decipher the difference between greenwashing and claims that represent truly outstanding achievements in environmental performance, social responsibility, and sustainability."

SCS celebrated the accomplishments of fellow Sustainable Brands conference attendees Wilsonart, Safeway, Steelcase/ Coalesse,Invista, and Shaw Industries, all certified leaders in sustainability within their industries. 

Wilsonart, a leading manufacturer of High Pressure Decorative Laminate, used as a decorative surface for countertops, cabinets, furniture, walls and doors, earned Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) re-certification from SCS. Wilsonart was the first laminate manufacturer to achieve FSC certification for its products. The certification makes it easier for Wilsonart customers to achieve FSC certification on their laminate-clad components and work towards qualifying for LEED credits.

Safeway builds sustainability into its brand with Bright Green™, a private label for household products.  In addition to delivering a line of products that help customers reduce their impact on the environment, Safeway requires that Bright Green™ products be as effective as, and priced comparably to, leading national brands. SCS advises Safeway on the product development process and reviews product label claims, including soaps and cleaners made with biodegradable ingredients, paper products made from 100 percent recycled fibers, and energy-efficient light bulbs.

The global revolution of sustainable brands has gained momentum in the green building materials sector with companies Steelcase and Steelcase Coalesse, Invista, and Shaw Industries.  These industry leaders have pursued third-party testing and certification for products and materials through SCS.  These certifications contribute toward LEED credit, demonstrate compliance to industry standards such as ANSI/BIFMA criteria for low-emitting furniture, and provide compliance to state and local guidelines such asCalifornia 01350, ASHRAE 189.1, and CHPS Collaborative for High Performance Schools Criteria.

SCS is a global leader in third-party environmental and sustainability certification, auditing, testing and standards development. SCS programs recognize exemplary performance in natural resource management, green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, retailing and more. SCS has been on Inc. Magazine's "Inc. 500" list of Fastest Growing Private Companies for the last two years and became one of California's first Benefit Corporations in January 2012, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices.