What does Canadian law say about green claims?
Amendments to the Competition Act in June 2024 added provisions aimed at greenwashing: a claim about a product's environmental benefits has to be based on adequate and proper testing. The Competition Bureau published its final guidelines on environmental claims and greenwashing in June 2025. The practical effect for anyone buying cleaning: a business making a green claim should be able to tell you what it rests on.
Which labels actually mean something?
| Mark | What it is | How much weight to give it |
|---|---|---|
| UL ECOLOGO | Third-party certification to UL 2700, the Standard for Sustainability for Cleaning and Cleaning Related Products; covers hard surface cleaners, carpet and upholstery care and more | High: independent, published standard, Canadian in origin |
| EPA Safer Choice | United States Environmental Protection Agency label for products whose ingredients meet its safer-chemistry criteria | High for ingredients, though it is an American program |
| "Natural", "green", "eco", "non-toxic" | Marketing words with no standard behind them | None on their own. Ask what supports the claim. |
Can a disinfectant be eco-friendly?
A disinfectant is designed to kill microorganisms, so it is regulated as a drug or biocide rather than as an ordinary cleaner. In Canada it carries a Drug Identification Number, and under the Biocides Regulations, in force since 31 May 2025, surface disinfectants are moving to a biocide market authorization during a transition period. The greener choice is usually to disinfect only where it is needed, such as high-touch surfaces and washrooms, and clean everything else. More in cleaning vs disinfecting.
What should I ask a cleaning company that says it is eco-friendly?
- Which products do you use, by name?
- Are any of them third-party certified, and by whom?
- What do you use for disinfecting, and where?
- Can you use products I supply if someone in the home is sensitive?
Klein's says it uses eco-friendly products, so the same questions apply to us: ask for the product list when you request a quote, and we will send it.
Is "eco-friendly" less effective?
Not for ordinary cleaning. Most dirt in a home comes off with detergent, water, the right cloth and some agitation. What matters more than the product is the method: removing soil rather than moving it around, and rinsing surfaces so residue does not attract the next layer. That is true for house cleaning and for carpets alike.