More about GreenScreen® for Safer Chemicals
The value of GreenScreen is that in addition to a comprehensive and detailed evaluation of a chemical’s intrinsic human health and environmental hazards, it also provides a standardized and easy-to-understand score to facilitate communication throughout supply chains and within organizations. Since its launch in 2007, GreenScreen has gone through several revisions, and the update to version 1.5a is particularly significant. In response to growing requests from users, we are now providing clear and comprehensive guidance for how to assess climate impact (global warming potential, ozone depletion potential).
Download the Guidance and Resources
Steps to Conduct a GreenScreen Assessment
GreenScreen is comprised of three main steps: assess and classify hazards, assign a GreenScreen BenchmarkTM score, and make informed decisions.
Step 1: Assess and Classify Hazards
The first step in assessing and classifying each of the 20 human health and environmental hazard endpoints below is to research and collect data from all relevant sources, including measured data from standardized tests and the scientific literature, hazard information from the GreenScreen Specified Lists, and information derived from models and suitable chemical analogs.
| Environmental Fate | Environmental Health* | Human Health Group 1 | Human Health Group II | Physical Hazards | Climate Impacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Persistence (P) | Acute Aquatic Toxicity (AA) | Carcinogenicity (C) | Acute Mammalian Toxicity (AT) | Reactivity (Rx) | Ozone Depletion Potential(ODP) |
| Bioaccumulation (B) | Chronic Aquatic Toxicity (CA) | Mutagenicity & Genotoxicity (M) | Systemic Toxicity & Organ Effects (incl. Immunotoxicity) (ST) | Flammability (F) | Global Warming Potential (GWP) |
| Reproductive Toxicity (R) | Neurotoxicity (N) | ||||
| Developmental Toxicity (incl. Developmental Neurotoxicity) (D) | Sensitization (SnS) | ||||
| Endocrine Activity (E) | Respiratory Sensitization (SnR) | ||||
| Skin Irritation (IrS) | |||||
| Eye Irritation (IrE) | |||||
| *Other ecotoxicity studies when available. | |||||
The data and expert judgement are used to classify the hazard level for each of 20 human health and environmental endpoints according to the GreenScreen Hazard Criteria e.g., bioaccumulation hazard criteria below.
Once the classifications are made, the assessor assigns a level of confidence for each hazard classification using the GreenScreen Guidance. The result is a GreenScreen hazard summary table; an example shown below. GreenScreen can be used to assess single chemicals or more complex mixtures and polymeric materials.
Step 2: Assign a GreenScreen Benchmarks™ Score
GreenScreen Benchmark™ Scores are unique to GreenScreen and are a major strength of the method as they provide a standardized and straightforward way to compare and communicate about chemical hazards. Each chemical evaluated under GreenScreen is assigned a Benchmark between 1 and 4, with each increasing Benchmark defining progressively safer chemicals. The Benchmark score is determined by analyzing specific combinations of hazard classifications for the 18 endpoints included in GreenScreen. The Benchmark criteria were developed to reflect hazard concerns that have been established by governments nationally and internationally. An important value of GreenScreen is that Benchmark-1, “Avoid - Chemical of High Concern”, clearly defines the criteria for chemicals of high concern to human health and the environment consistent with global regulations like REACH. Benchmark-1 chemicals include: carcinogens, reproductive, developmental and neurodevelopmental toxicants, mutagens, persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals (PBTs), very persistent and very bioaccumulative chemicals (vPvBs), and endocrine disruptors.
Each hazard classification generated in Step 1 is used in applying the Benchmark Criteria to determine the final Benchmark score. Only certain numbers and types of data gaps are allowed for each Benchmark level, and it is possible that a Benchmark cannot be assigned at all if the data are insufficient. In addition, Benchmark scores can be “downgraded” if a feasible and relevant environmental transformation product is more toxic than the parent chemical.
Step 3: Make Informed Decisions
GreenScreen is used to support informed decision making about the use of chemicals in products and processes. The Benchmark scores provide a high level indicator and the Hazard Summary Table provides specific information on relevant hazards -- all of which is supported by an in-depth report. All of this supports better decision making and knowledge for product design and development, chemical and material procurement, risk management, workplace safety, and more.
GreenScreen v1.5a (April 2026)
High level changes in Version 1.5a of the GreenScreen® for Safer Chemicals Hazard Assessment Guidance (April 2026).
Added two new climate impact hazard endpoints: ozone depleting potential (ODP) and global warming potential (GWP). Climate impact endpoints are informational only and do not affect Benchmark scores. Added guidance for documenting climate impact information and citing supporting regulatory lists and sources. Updated terms, definitions, and information tables to incorporate climate impact endpoints and references. Added a transition policy allowing use of v1.4 or v1.5a through December 31, 2026, with mandatory adoption of v1.5a beginning January 1, 2027. The core methodology, Benchmark criteria, scoring logic, and List Translator methodology remain unchanged from v1.4.
Ready to learn more? Download the Guidance and Resources. Or listen to our free one-hour Introduction to GreenScreen online training.