What the green-certification labels mean

Green Seal

Green Seal's paint standard is based on an assessment that includes raw materials, VOCs, and performance. "This approach is a little more comprehensive than something that's looking at just VOC content," says Christine Chase, Green Seal's director of science and standards. But Green Seal relies on manufacturers' VOC measurements. To qualify for Green Seal, VOC content must be 50 g/l or lower for flat and 100 g/l or lower for nonflat paints. Companies pay a $2,500 to $10,000 fee to have paints evaluated and to use the Green Seal logo. Olympic Premium is the only Green Seal paint we tested.

GreenGuard

GreenGuard uses an environmental-chamber test to measure off-gassing from drying paint. Total VOCs must be detected only at trace levels to qualify for this certification. "You can have chemicals in paint that are exempt from current VOC regulations because they're not ozone-depleting but they still get emitted into the air and present an inhalation exposure," says GreenGuard founder Marilyn Black. Companies pay to get paints tested and pay at least a $3,000 fee to use the logo on their products. The tested Benjamin Moore Aura, Freshaire Choice, and Sherwin- Williams Harmony carry the certification.

GreenSure

Its criteria reference recognized standards, but GreenSure is self-regulated by Sherwin-Williams and covers only its products. Paints must have a VOC level of less than 50 g/l to qualify. "The standards appear sound but provide less assurance than those from third-party programs," says Urvashi Rangan, a Consumers Union senior scientist. The tested Sherwin-Williams has GreenSure certification.