Greening the Government
June 17th 2011

Mark Jankovich, CEO of Delphis Eco asks whether the Government could and should be doing more to go green?

Following a meeting with Delphis Eco Caroline Lucas the first Green Party MP in the UK agreed to table a question at Parliamentary Question Time to the following ministers: The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA); Minister for the Cabinet Office Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport; London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).

Caroline asked: “Will the right honorable gentlemen make it their policy to require all cleaning contracts held with their Department to stipulate that the cleaning products used should be EU Ecolabel products accredited by DEFRA; and if they will make a statement.”

Disappointingly not a single government department came back with an answer stating that it was their department’s policy. Slightly alarming in Delphis Eco’s opinion was that DEFRA gave a £500 million contract to Interserve in 2008 and never stipulated the need to use accredited cleaning chemicals.

The stock answer from all four departments was that they all use super concentrated products therefore are totally environmentally friendly. Their efforts must be applauded but their lack of knowledge is concerning. There are a number of ecological DEFRA accredited products that come in super concentrate form but which are significantly less harmful than what’s currently being used.

Surely the government’s first step in its attempt to go green is for DEFRA itself to stipulate using the ecological cleaning chemicals that it provides accreditation for in its own departmental buildings?

Meeting Ecolable criteria

The EU Ecolabel takes into consideration environmental issues and keenly sets apart the criteria for ecological ingredients. To understand the meaning of the Ecolabel it is important to have knowledge about the accreditation criteria. Products must address the following 14 criteria points in order to be awarded the Ecolabel.These are listed below:

• Toxicity to aquatic organisms

• Biodegradability of surfactants

• Dangerous,hazardous or toxic substances or preparations

• Biocides

• Dyes or colouring agents

• Fragrances

• Sensitising substances

• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

• Phosphorus

• Packaging requirements

• Fitness for use

• User instructions

• Information appearing on the eco-label

• Professional training

Products such as Delphis Eco’s accredited range are highly effective because of the modern technology used to make the products – meaning no longer does the green choice have to mean a compromise in product efficiency. The Delphis Eco cleaning chemicals compete head to head with the market leaders on performance but are cost neutral or even, in some cases, more cost effective. Delphis Eco products now clean 1000 Office and General sites and over 800 Iceland stores. Both companies found they have saved money by switching over to greener products and have admitted that the ecological chemicals used are as effective as the previous ranges used.

For full and detailed information on the criteria please see: www.ecolabel.eu