This standard from My Green Lab® evaluates lab product sustainability through a transparent, science-based scoring system and independent third-party auditing of product sustainability data and claims, as described here. The ACT Ecolabel Program provides clear environmental impact insights and supports informed lab product purchasing decisions.
Explore the ACT Ecolabel 2.0 categories and associated ACT Environmental Performance Factor (EPF) scoring below to see how ACT (Accountability, Consistency, and Transparency) drives continuous improvement and impactful change in corporate, manufacturing facility, and laboratory product sustainability.
Total ACT EPF Points Available: Consumables: 26 points, Chemicals/Reagents: 23 points, Equipment: 30 points
Product recycled and renewable content
Consumables: 10 points, Chemicals/Reagents: 4 points, Equipment: 4 points
Intent:
This scoring category evaluates the inclusion of recycled and renewable materials in manufactured lab products. This reduces the need for raw material extraction and improves support for recycled materials and a circular economy.
Options for ACT Ecolabel evaluation and scoring:
The product is evaluated based on the percent by weight of the product that is made of qualified recycled and renewable materials. Only weight data for claimed recycled and renewable materials is provided by the manufacturer. Bulk and refill products receive additional ACT Ecolabel scoring credit.
Product chemicals of concern
Consumables: 4 points, Chemicals/Reagents: 7 points, Equipment 2 points
Intent:
This scoring category evaluates the presence or absence of hazardous chemicals in lab products. This promotes hazardous chemical removal and safer chemical substitution.
Options for ACT Ecolabel evaluation and scoring:
Consumables are evaluated against the EU REACH SVHC Candidate List and for the addition of any PFAS chemicals, and the level of disclosure of product chemicals the manufacturer is willing to identify for evaluation by the auditor.
Consumables and Chemicals/Reagents are evaluated against Restricted Chemicals Lists (RSLs) including the EU REACH SVHC Candidate List, GreenScreen, ILFI Red List, and the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) Complete, and the level of disclosure of product chemicals the manufacturer is willing to identify for evaluation by the auditor.
Equipment is evaluated against the EU REACH SVHC Candidate List and for EU RoHS Compliance.
Equipment energy consumption
Equipment Only: 6 points; Evaluation required for ACT Label
Intent:
This scoring category evaluates the kWh consumed by lab equipment when performing a defined Typical Use protocol, and the inclusion of reduced energy consumption operating states with the equipment. This supports the adoption of technologies that reduce equipment energy use and lower operational energy demand and associated emissions.
Options for ACT evaluation and scoring:
Manufacturers can demonstrate equipment energy efficiency through the inclusion of operating states such as automatic shut down and reduced energy modes. Manufacturers can also demonstrate reduced energy (kWh) consumption by lab equipment when performing the Typical Use Case protocol and comparing to the performance of similar equipment. In some cases, equipment can be evaluated with common efficiency standards such as Energy Star.
Equipment water consumption
Equipment Only: 0 points; Evaluation required for ACT Label
Intent:
This scoring category focuses on water use efficiency by laboratory equipment when performing a defined Typical Use protocol. This promotes water-efficient equipment that reduces operational impact on local water resources.
Options for ACT Evaluation and Scoring:
Manufacturers can demonstrate reduced water consumption by equipment by comparing to the performance of similar equipment in the Typical Use protocol.
Equipment refrigerant global warming potential
Equipment Only: 6 points; Evaluation required for ACT Label
Intent:
This scoring category focuses on the global warming potential (GWP) of any chemical refrigerants used by laboratory equipment. This promotes chemical refrigerants with low GWP being used by equipment.
Options for ACT Evaluation and Scoring:
Manufacturers can demonstrate the chemical refrigerant used by equipment has a GWP of <150 and/or <10 for ACT scoring credit.
Consumable use phase
Consumables Only: 5 points
Intent:
This scoring category evaluates the duration of the typical use phase of the product. This promotes the substitution of durable, reusable products for single use consumables, reducing the need for raw material use and additional product manufacturing.
Options for ACT Evaluation and Scoring:
The product is evaluated for the most common duration of use of the consumable in the laboratory environment. Products that are documented as reusable in alignment with FTC Green Guides and EU requirements, or can be demonstrated as environmentally superior to available reusable options receive better ACT scoring credit.
Chemical/reagent storage temperature
Chemicals and Reagents Only: 5 Points
Intent:
This scoring category evaluates the temperature and energy-intensity of storing the chemical/reagent. This supports products being designed for ambient and other less energy-intensive storage conditions.
Options for ACT Evaluation and Scoring
Chemicals and reagents are evaluated on the publicly-stated storage temperature. Products receive better ACT scoring credit when they may be stored under ambient or closer to ambient temperature conditions.
Equipment supported lifetime
Equipment Only: 8 Points
Intent:
This scoring category evaluates the length of time the equipment is supported by the manufacturer and other indicators of product durability. This supports the manufacturing of durable equipment and repair of equipment, reducing the need for new product manufacturing and raw material extraction.
Options for ACT Evaluation and Scoring:
Equipment is evaluated by the length of time the manufacturer publicly commits to supporting the functioning and repair of the equipment after purchase. At the manufacturer’s discretion and data availability, the manufacturer may also provide durability testing results and/or real-time service record data on similar equipment longevity for additional scoring credit.
Product commonly recyclable materials
Consumables: 2 points Consumables: 2 points Equipment: 2 points
Intent:
This scoring category evaluates the inclusion of specific commonly recyclable or certified compostable materials in the product. This supports diversion of product materials from landfills to the recycled materials market at the end of the life of the product, improves product circularity, and reducing the need for raw material extraction.
Options for ACT Evaluation and Scoring:
The product is evaluated based on the percent by weight of the product that is made of qualified commonly recyclable materials, including certain metals, glass, cardboard, and specific and limited plastics. Certified compostable materials in the product also receive ACT scoring credit.
Product circularity support
Consumables: 5 points Consumables: 5 points Equipment: 8 points
Intent:
This scoring category evaluates the contribution of the manufacturer to information and programs that support product material diversion from landfills, or refurbishment and reuse of equipment. This improves product circularity, supports waste diversion and enhances equipment longevity, and reduces raw material extraction.
Options for ACT Evaluation and Scoring:
The product is evaluated based on the manufacturer providing information on available recycling or refurbishing service providers and/or manufacturer-provided financial support of programs for recycling or refurbishing. At the manufacturer’s choosing, they may provide additional information on the geographic availability of Circularity Support service provider information or programs in leading lab sciences or company product markets for additional ACT scoring credit.
Packaging recycled and renewable content
Consumables: 4 points Chemicals/Reagents: 4 points Equipment: 2 pointsIntent
Intent:
This scoring category evaluates the inclusion of recycled and renewable materials in product packaging. This reduces the need for raw material extraction and improves support for recycled materials and a circular economy.
Options for ACT Evaluation and Scoring:
The packaging is evaluated based on the percent by weight of the packaging that is made of qualified recycled and renewable materials.
(Packaging) shipping temperature
Consumables: 0 point Chemicals/Reagents: 3 points Equipment: 0 point
Intent:
This scoring category evaluates the methods required for temperature-control when shipping the product. This supports products being designed for uncontrolled and closer to ambient shipping conditions and reduces the product packaging materials and requirements.
Options for ACT Evaluation and Scoring:
Chemicals and reagents are evaluated on the stated most common shipping method of the product. Products receive better ACT scoring credit when most commonly shipped using methods for closer to ambient, uncontrolled temperature, with a less energy-intensive temperature requirement.
Packaging commonly recyclable materials
Consumables: 4 points Chemicals/Reagents: 4 points; one of two evaluation options, at choice of manufacturer Equipment: 2 points
Intent:
This scoring category evaluates the inclusion of specific commonly recycled or certified compostable materials in the product packaging. This supports diversion of packaging materials from landfills to the recycled materials market at the end of the life of the packaging, improves packaging circularity, and reduces the need for raw material extraction.
Options for ACT Evaluation and Scoring:
The packaging is evaluated based on the percent by weight of the packaging that is made of qualified specific recyclable materials, including certain metals, glass, cardboard, and specific and limited plastics. Certified compostable materials in the packaging also receive ACT scoring credit.
Optionally, for chemicals/reagents, the manufacturer may choose to have a qualified cold chain packaging takeback program evaluated instead of the evaluation of recyclable materials in the packaging.
Cold chain packaging takeback program
Chemicals/Reagents Only, 4 Points; one of two evaluation options, at choice of manufacturer
Intent:
This scoring category evaluates the availability of takeback programs for cold chain packaging used for chemicals/reagents. This supports reuse and optimization of high value packaging and innovations in cold chain packaging and takeback programs.
Options for ACT Evaluation and Scoring:
Cold chain packaging takeback programs are evaluated for availability. At the manufacturer’s choosing, they may provide additional information on the geographic availability of cold chain packaging takeback programs in leading lab sciences or company product markets for additional ACT scoring credit.
Optionally, for chemicals/reagents, the manufacturer may choose to have an evaluation of recyclable materials in the packaging performed instead of the evaluation of cold chain packaging takeback program(s).
Manufacturing facility – best practices
Total ACT EPF Points Available: Consumables: 18 points Chemicals/Reagents: 18 points Equipment 18 points
Manufacturing Facility Culture of Sustainability (3/18 points)
Intent:
This scoring category evaluates the promotion and integration of a sustainability-focused culture at the manufacturing facility. This encourages specific sustainability practices and empowers employees to support environmental initiatives.
Options for ACT Evaluation and Scoring:
At the company’s choosing, the manufacturer has multiple pathways available to demonstrate a Culture of Sustainability at the facility, including:
- Specific facility-level third-party certifications such as ISO 14001
and/or
- A selection of specific initiatives such as participation in the International Freezer Challenge, a documented process for considering sustainability during general product development, a qualified on-site “Green Team” and/or engagement with a selection of other My Green Lab Programs including My Green Lab Certification, My Green Lab Ambassadors, and/or My Green Lab Accredited Professionals.
Manufacturing Facility Climate and Energy (10/18 points)
Intent:
This scoring category evaluates actions taken at the facility to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This incentivizes lowering the GHG emissions associated with product manufacturing.
Options for ACT Evaluation and Scoring:
At the company’s choosing, the manufacturer has multiple pathways available to demonstrate greenhouse gas emissions reduction efforts, including:
- Improved facility performance resulting in yearly Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions reductions from a qualified baseline year that are aligned with climate science
or
- Levels of accomplishment in certain facility-level third-party certifications such as ISO 50001, LEED O-M, or LEED BD+C
or
- Evaluation of the manufacturing facility against a prescriptive list of infrastructure and operational improvements known to reduce GHG emissions associated with manufacturing
Manufacturing Facility Waste Diversion (3/18 points)
Intent:
This scoring category evaluates waste management practices that reduce waste sent to landfills. This supports waste diversion, an improved circular economy, and the minimization of certain environmental impacts from manufacturing.
Options for ACT Evaluation and Scoring:
At the company’s choosing, the manufacturer has multiple pathways available to demonstrate effective waste diversion practices, including:
- Facility performance demonstrating a high percentage of facility waste is diverted from landfills
or
- Accomplishments in facility-level third-party waste diversion certifications such TRUE Zero Waste or other qualified Zero Waste to Landfill Certifications
or
- Evaluation of the manufacturing facility against a prescriptive list of infrastructure and operational improvements known to support waste diversion
Manufacturing Facility Water Use Reduction (2/18 points)
Intent:
This scoring category evaluates water conservation resulting in reduced water use by manufacturing facilities in water-stressed regions of the world. This supports the improvement and availability of local water resources.
Options for ACT Evaluation and Scoring:
At the company’s choosing, the manufacturer has multiple pathways available to demonstrate effective water use reduction practices, including:
- Improved facility performance resulting in demonstrated water use reduction from a qualified baseline year
or
- Accomplishments in facility-level third-party water use reduction certifications such as LEED Zero Water Certification or other qualified water use reduction certifications
or
- Evaluation of the manufacturing facility against a prescriptive list of infrastructure and operational improvements associated with water use reduction
If the manufacturing facility is located in an identified water-stressed region of the world, the evaluation of Water Use Reduction is included in the ACT evaluation of the facility. If the manufacturing facility is not located in an identified water-stressed region of the world, evaluation of the facility in the Water Use Reduction scoring category is included in the audit at the manufacturer’s choosing.
Manufacturing facility renewable electricity
Consumables: 10 points Chemicals/Reagents: 10 points Equipment: 10 points
Intent:
This scoring category evaluates the percent of total electricity used by the manufacturing facility that is derived from qualified renewable electricity sources. This incentivize manufacturing facilities to increase their generation and sourcing of renewable electricity and reduces the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with product manufacturing.
Options for ACT Evaluation and Scoring:
Renewable electricity use at the facility is evaluated by comparing the total electricity used by the manufacturing facility over a recent 12-month period to the total electricity used during this period that has been renewably sourced using Environmental Attribute Certificates (EACs), including Guarantees of Origin (GO), Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs and I-RECs) and equivalents, Onsite Power Purchasing Agreements (PPAs), and qualified on-site electricity generation at the facility, such as wind and solar.
Manufacturing Facility Renewable Energy
Consumables: 12 points Chemicals/Reagents: 12 points Equipment 12 pointsIntent
Intent:
This scoring category evaluates includes both the total electricity used by the facility plus additional non-electric energy sources such as fuels used for heating, and the percent of this total energy used that is derived from qualified renewable energy sourcing. This incentivizes manufacturing facilities to increase their generation and sourcing of renewable energy and reduces the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with product manufacturing.
Options for ACT Evaluation and Scoring:
Renewable energy use at the facility is evaluated by comparing the total energy used by the manufacturing facility over a recent 12-month period to the total energy used during this period. Renewable energy is identified through Environmental Attribute Certificates (EACs), including Guarantees of Origin (GO), Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs and I-RECs) and equivalents, Onsite Power Purchasing Agreements (PPAs), on-site solar and wind, and qualified biomass and geothermal sources.
Company scope 1 / 2 / 3 tracking
Consumables: 7 points Chemicals/Reagents: 7 points Equipment: 7 pointsIntent
Intent:
This scoring category evaluates if greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are being tracked and reported at the company level. The availability of GHG emissions data across various operational scopes (Scopes 1, 2 and 3) supports the identification of emissions reduction opportunities and provides transparency to the market.
Options for ACT Evaluation and Scoring:
Emissions tracking at the company level is evaluated at multiple levels. Emissions data for Scope 1 (direct energy utilization, often on-site combustion or on-site renewable energy), Scope 2 (procured energy originating from various sources of generation), and Scope 3 (extended supply chain) are considered when available. Verification of GHG emissions data and evidence of supply chain engagement to improve company understanding of Scope 3 emissions receives additional ACT scoring credit.
Company GHG reductions
Consumables: 10 points Chemicals/Reagents: 10 points Equipment: 10 pointsIntent
Intent:
This scoring category evaluates if a company has made a commitment to specific greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets. Specific reduction commitments support short and long term infrastructure, product, and energy sourcing planning by companies to decouple product manufacturing and increasing GHG emissions.
Options for ACT Evaluation and Scoring:
Company carbon reduction commitments are evaluated for their alignment with Near Term (by ~2030) and Net Zero (by ~2050) targets aligned with the climate science consensus, as stated by the Science-Based Target Initiative (SBTi) or equivalent organizations. Validation of the Near Term and Net Zero targets by third-party Standard Setting Organizations like SBTi receive additional ACT scoring credit.
Product carbon footprint and framework
Consumables: 3 points Chemicals/Reagents: 3 points Equipment: 3 points
Intent:
This scoring category evaluates if there is an available estimated product carbon footprint for the product from the manufacturer and reports the product carbon reporting framework used for the CO2e calculation. The ACT Ecolabel lists the estimated CO2e value for the product from “cradle to gate”. This incentivizes investment in product carbon footprint data, promotes the use of common product reporting frameworks for the determination of product CO2e, and supports industry Scope 3 reporting effort.The intent of this scoring category is not to promote direct and absolute comparison between CO2e results for product options from different manufacturers in the absence of a Product Category Rule. The inclusion of multiple high quality product carbon reporting frameworks as acceptable methodologies makes comparison of results not derived from common Product Category Rules difficult. The intent of the inclusion of available CO2e results in ACT is intended as a supportive step for the estimation of customer Scope 3 emissions.
Options for ACT Evaluation and Scoring:
Product carbon reporting is evaluated by determining if a report for an estimated product carbon footprint CO2e value, from “cradle to gate”, is available for the product and has been produced using one of the common product carbon reporting frameworks, including ISO 14067, ISO 14040/14044, GHG Protocols Product Carbon Footprint Standard, Partnership for Carbon Transparency (PACT), and Together for Sustainability (Tfs). Products are not required to have an available estimated product CO2e result to be audited and certified to the ACT Ecolabel 2.0 Standard.
Product carbon footprint third-party verification
Consumables: 3 points Chemicals/Reagents: 3 points Equipment: 3 points
Intent:
This scoring category evaluates if the product carbon footprint result has been evaluated via a critical third-party or internal review. Critical review and third-party evaluation of the estimated product carbon footprint process and result increases confidence in the process and CO2e result and supports more accurate industry Scope 3 reporting effort.
The intent of evaluating review of the CO2e process is not to promote direct and absolute comparison between CO2e results for product options from different manufacturers, even when verified by a third party, in the absence of a Product Category Rule.
Options for ACT Evaluation and Scoring:
Product carbon reporting is evaluated by determining if the manufacturer can provide evidence that the process supporting the estimated product CO2e value, from “cradle to gate” was third-party reviewed. Products are not required to have an available estimated product CO2e result to be audited and certified to the ACT Ecolabel 2.0 Standard.
Improvements
Intent:
This scoring category evaluates and highlights recent improvements of sufficient magnitude across ACT 2.0 evaluation categories. This encourages continuous improvement at the corporate, facility, and product level in those categories identified by ACT 2.0 as important for sustainability in the lab sciences, and highlights to the market those companies who continue to improve their approach to sustainability.
Options for ACT Evaluation and Scoring:
Product, facility, and company-level attributes scored by ACT are evaluated for an improving trajectory since a previous ACT audit, or from a baseline set in the previous three years, using data submitted for the ACT 2.0 audit. Improvements must reach a defined magnitude of change to be highlighted on the ACT Label and received additional ACT scoring credit. The manufacturer may reuse the data supplied for a previous ACT audit to set a baseline for comparison to new data submitted for ACT 2.0 audit categories, or include baseline data no older than three years to demonstrate improvement.At their choosing, a manufacturer may attempt to earn Improvement credit in one sustainability attribute not directly evaluated by ACT 2.0. This requires the submission of supporting baseline and updated data, and a demonstration that the magnitude and sustainability impact of the Improvement is equivalent to another Improvement already evaluated by ACT 2.0.
Innovation
Intent:
ACT Innovation credit is intended to highlight those products whose impact goes beyond standard ACT 2.0 criteria, and supports greatly decreased GHG emissions in the lab sciences, through innovative product design or dramatically improving the sustainability of common lab processes.
Options for ACT Evaluation and Scoring:
The evaluation scope for ACT Innovation credit considers only the contribution of the product or process to sustainability through the evaluation and magnitude of associated GHG emissions reductions.To be considered for ACT Innovation credit:
- The product must demonstrate >50% GHG emissions reductions compared to all other common options for the lab process or disposal process supported by the product
or
- The product must use a novel and under patent material unique to the market in a Product Category (Equipment, Consumables, Chemicals & Reagents) that reduces the product carbon footprint by >50%, and the reduction must be attributable to the material
or
- The product must come from a novel and under patent manufacturing process unique to the market in a Product Category (Equipment, Consumables, Chemicals & Reagents) that reduces the product carbon footprint of the manufacturing phase by >50%
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