The need for safer cleaning products has never been greater. As health, sustainability, and transparency take center stage, the EPA Safer Choice Cleaning Product List has emerged as a trusted resource for facility managers, contractors, and consumers seeking effective cleaning solutions that minimize health and environmental risks. This post introduces the EPA Safer Choice program, details how the product list is created, highlights key benefits, and shows how to connect with our growing ISSA Making Safer Choices Community. 

What is the EPA Safer Choice Cleaning Product List? 

The EPA Safer Choice Cleaning Product List features cleaning and maintenance products that have passed rigorous, science-based evaluations for human and environmental safety. To earn the Safer Choice label, every ingredient in a product undergoes review by EPA scientists to ensure it meets stringent safety and performance criteria. This includes checks for carcinogenicity, toxicity, biodegradability, and aquatic safety. Products are assessed for efficacy and must perform comparably to conventional options, which means users do not have to sacrifice cleaning power for safety. 

You can browse and download the most current list directly from the EPA’s official product directory:
Search Safer Choice-Certified Cleaning Products 

Why Does Safer Choice Matter? 

The Safer Choice label goes beyond traditional marketing claims. It represents a true commitment to ingredient safety, product transparency, and environmental stewardship. Key benefits include: 

• Better health outcomes: Products avoid chemicals linked to asthma, cancer, or reproductive harm. 

• Safer for the environment: Strict standards ensure formulations do not threaten aquatic life or contribute to pollution. 

• Transparency: Full ingredient disclosure and routine EPA audits mean consumers can trust what’s in each bottle. 

• Performance you can rely on: Safer Choice-certified solutions are independently tested for real-world cleaning power. 

Who Uses EPA Safer Choice-Certified Products? 

A wide range of organizations—including schools, hospitals, offices, and households—have adopted products from the Safer Choice Cleaning Product List to support staff safety and sustainability targets. The list covers categories such as: 

• All-purpose cleaners 

• Disinfectants 

• Laundry detergents 

• Glass and floor cleaners 

• Specialized maintenance products 

How Are Safer Choice Products Certified? 

Certification is a transparent, rigorous process. The EPA’s scientific review team evaluates each formulation against the program’s Master Criteria and Functional-Class Criteria documents, covering possible health and ecological impacts. Products undergo regular audits, ingredient verification, and performance testing. For a detailed explanation of the standards, see:
Safer Choice Standard and Criteria 

Join the Community of Practice 

ISSA’s Making Safer Choices Community of Practice offers manufacturers, service providers, and managers a collaborative space to exchange best practices, access case studies, and connect with industry leaders.
Members share ideas, discuss implementation, and advance safe cleaning initiatives in their organizations.
Connection with like-minded professionals helps accelerate adoption of safer products and drives ongoing innovation. 

Getting Started with Safer Choice Cleaning Products 

Ready to make the shift? 

• Explore the latest EPA Safer Choice Cleaning Product List here. 

• Review program details and certification requirements here. 

• Get involved with ISSA’s Community of Practice here. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Are Safer Choice products as effective as traditional cleaning solutions?
Yes—all products labeled Safer Choice must pass rigorous performance testing to ensure cleaning efficacy is equal to or greater than comparable products. 

Where can I learn more about EPA oversight and audits?
EPA’s program standards and oversight documentation are publicly available here. 

How do I connect with the Safer Choice program?
Find resources, news, and contact information at Connect with Safer Choice.