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GreenScreen List Translator vs. GreenScreen for Safer Chemicals

GreenScreen List Translator vs. GreenScreen for Safer Chemicals

Defining Use and Outcomes


Companies striving to reduce their chemical footprint can make a first move using the GreenScreen List TranslatorTM (GS LT). This tool is an abbreviated version of GreenScreen® for Safer Chemicals, a globally recognized chemical hazard assessment method used to identify chemicals of high concern and safer alternatives.  

The utility of the GreenScreen List Translator, and the fact that it is an automated tool allowing a quick assessment of a chemical’s List Translator score, gives users a quick and easy way to screen a chemical and prioritize action. It provides an important first step to avoid regrettable substitutions when considering alternatives to chemicals of high concern.

Below is a closer look at the different uses of GreenScreen List Translator and the full GreenScreen for Safer Chemicals assessment/method.


GreenScreen for Safer Chemicals is more comprehensive and ranks a chemical against five benchmarks:

  • Benchmark-1 – "Avoid: Chemical of High Concern"
  • Benchmark-2 – Use but search for Safer Substitutes
  • Benchmark-3 – Use but still opportunity for improvement
  • Benchmark-4 – "Prefer: Safer Chemical"
  • Benchmark-U –"Unspecified" denotes that a chemical has too many data gaps to position it as any of the other benchmarks.

Comparatively, the GreenScreen List Translator:

  • Assesses hazards of a chemical using information from over 40 chemical hazard lists developed by international, national, and state governmental agencies, intergovernmental agencies, and NGOs.
    • Automation of the lists through third party tools such as the Pharos Database allows anyone to quickly find GS List Translator results, regardless of their experience or knowledge related to chemical hazards.
  • Assesses the hazards of a chemical against the same human health and environmental endpoints, or categories, as the full GreenScreen tool. However, note that the resulting List Translator score will only denote the possibility of a chemical being a Benchmark 1 chemical, or chemical of high concern.  
    • A List Translator score of "LT-1" means the hazard classifications for a given chemical meet one or more of the GreenScreen Benchmark-1 criteria and would most likely be a Benchmark-1 chemical.  
    • A List Translator score of "LT-P1" means the chemical is a "possible benchmark 1". Further research is needed to determine if the chemical is indeed a GreenScreen Benchmark-1.
    • A List Translator score of "LT-UNK"  or "unknown" indicates that although the chemical was present on a list, there is insufficient information to know if the chemical is likely or possibly a chemical of high concern…or if indeed it is a safer chemical.

Because GreenScreen List Translation results are based on chemical list information only,  the information will not be as complete as a full GreenScreen assessment. While List Translator provides an effective way to screen out known hazardous chemicals, an assessment based on GreenScreen® for Safer Chemicals is more comprehensive and can be used to identify safer alternatives.

Learn more about the GreenScreen Method and GreenScreen List Translator