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CLEANING
PRODUCTS
GECA
17-2007 Standard (PDF)
and
LAUNDRY
DETERGENTS
GECA
18-2004 Standard (PDF) |
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Austech
Austech
provide cleaning products and laundry detergent
available in mainstream retail outlets in
Australia. |
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Product Marketing Name:
Austech Use and Application: Cleaning
Products and Laundry Detergent
Date of Certification: 4
June 2008 and 16 June 2008
1.
Description of the
Technology.
All 'Orange Power' products are made in Australia by
Austech Products Pty Ltd, a wholly owned Australian
family business.
We also make sure that all our 'orange oil' is
sourced from Australian growers (where possible), even
if this is sometimes more expensive than overseas
imports being dumped in Australia.
As none of our products use Bleach, Ammonia's or
Caustics etc they are quite safe for septic's and
Biocycles etc. They are also biodegradable.
The primary method of extracting sweet orange oil is
through a physical process called 'cold pressing'. Such
oils are called "cold-pressed" because heat is
not involved in the extraction and the peel (like in the
distillation method of essential oil extraction) is
sometimes pressed to release the oil.
During the process to extract juice, the initial
'crush' ruptures the oil sacks in the outer peel and a
spray of water collects it and directs it away from the
juice collection. The cold-pressing process is not
without its own problems. During its removal, the oil
becomes bound up with wax particles and sticky pectin
from the ruptured cells of the flavedo. It is very
difficult to separate the oil from this semi-solid
mixture once it forms, so processes like filtration and
separation via centrifuge are required to obtain the
clean, fresh oil. This oil is used in our Orange Power
Air Fresheners as it retains most of its fresh fruity
fragrance.
Further processing of the oil by distillation method
is used to produce a clear liquid called "technical
grade d-Limonene" which is used in all our Orange
Power cleaning products. After the juicing process, the
peels are conveyed to a steam extractor. This extracts
more of the oil from the peel. When the steam is
condensed, a layer of oil floats on the surface of the
condensed water. This is technical grade d-limonene.
2. The Products
Cleaning Products:
Orange Power Carpet Cleaner: 'Orange
Power Carpet & Upholstery Spot Cleaner' removes of
stains both old and new from carpets and upholstery. It
can be used safely on both woollen and synthetic fibres.
Orange Power deodorises your carpets, lounge suites and
other fabric as it cleans, leaving a wonderful natural
fresh fragrance. It can also be used in a shampooing
machine as an economical, all-over carpet cleaner,
diluted at 8 parts water to 1 part 'Orange Power'
Orange Power Multi Purpose: Orange Power Multi Purpose
Cleaner & Sanitiser's combinations of naturally
derived orange oil and sugar alcohols kill potentially
hazardous germs like Salmonella, E. Coli, Staphylococcus
etc in under 60 seconds. These germs lurk on kitchen
surfaces and can get passed onto food items. Most other
Anti-Bacterial cleaners need to be sprayed and left for
over 10 minutes to kill these germs (meaning surface has
to be thoroughly wet for the entire 10 minutes). This
may even require re-spraying the surface before the 10
minutes is up due to liquid evaporation.
Orange Power Shower, Bath & Tile Cleaner: 'Orange
Power' Shower, Bath & Tile Cleaner removes soap
scum, water & rust marks, calcium build up and
stains. It can be used on shower screens and bases,
baths, spas and basins, tiles, toilet bowls, taps and
chrome faucets. Simply spray and rinse off.
Pre-wash Stain Remover: 'Orange Power Pre-Wash Stain
Remover' removes most stubborn fabric stains such as
dirt, greasy marks, collar & cuff grime,
perspiration and also more difficult stains such as
grass, red wine, chocolate, food and some types of ink.
Orange Power will not harm colourfast materials,
woollens or delicates or irritate sensitive skin.
Laundry Detergent:
Orange Power 4X concentrate Laundry
Liquid: It's an Australian first, made by an
Australian-owned family company. Nothing on the market
comes close to Orange Power's new 4x Concentrate Natural
Enzyme Liquid. It will conquer almost any laundry stains
you can throw at it. Best of all our new laundry liquid
formula has been created by Greencare Developments, our
research and development laboratory that produces all of
our Orange Power products. Greencare Developments is
committed to producing some of the most
environmentally-responsible products on the market.
Core Environmental Criteria Tested:
(Cleaning Products Standard)
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Environmental Requirements |
Core Environmental Performance Characteristics |
3.1 Fitness for Purpose
Certified products should be good performers in their
intended application. Certain standards of quality and
effectiveness are implicit in the Label. The manufacturer must
ensure that the product is fit for its intended purpose |
The product lines under assessment
are tested for PH, solids, reflective index etc.
Greencare Developments
manufactures Austech's products and has 30 years of experience
in providing alternatives to "Mainstream" cosmetics
and household cleaning products. GreenCare and Austech produce
the Orange Power brand of products.
There is no standard related to
fitness for purpose for cleaners in Australia. GECS is hence
reliant upon general market acceptance and internal testing by
the manufacturer. The product range has been widely used in the
Australian market and is available through mainstream retail
outlets.
Internal testing regimes
include wash tests with soiled swatches of cloth in comparison
to competing products. The surfactants/enzymes of the product
are biodegradable according to AS 4351/1996. |
3.2 Chemical Requirements
All raw materials must be sourced from facilities that
comply with Section 4 (see criterion 4 below) of this standard.
Details of all ingredients used
in all certified cleaning products must be provided using the
Ingredients List spreadsheet available with this standard at http://www.
geca.org.au/
standards
register.htm |
GECS has received comprehensive
ingredients lists including the names of raw material suppliers
(delivered under company seal and gathered on site during the
site assessment) for each of the nominated product range. The
audit process undertook an investigation of each ingredient
based on desktop research of CAS numbers attributable and MSDS's
for each ingredient. The results of this comprehensive analysis
demonstrated compliance to this criterion. The actual
formulations are considered commercially secret and are hence
not presented here. |
3.2.1 Prohibited Substances
The following substances are prohibited in all certified
cleaning products. Halogenated organic substances or solvents
(e.g., chlorinated methane or ethane, fluoropolymer additives).
Analine based amines. The phthalates DEHP, DBP, DAP or BBP.
Aziridine or polyaziridines. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or
short-chain chlorinated organic flame retardants. APEO and other
alkylphenol derivatives Xylene sulfonates or other linear alkyl
benzene sulfonates Reactive chlorine compounds (e.g.,
hypochlorites) Organic chlorine carriers (e.g., triclosan)
Benzalkonium chloride Butoxyethanol Optical brightening agents
Certain fragrances, and the chelating agents EDTA, DTPA, NTA or
phosphonates |
Based on a review of the
ingredients list of the products under assessment and review of
MSDS for each ingredient, CAS number research and chemical
assessment it is found that the products comply to this
criterion. Each ingredient classified as a fragrance, indicates
there are none of the mentioned carcinogens in the products
under assessment. |
3.2.2 Restricted Substances
This section places limits on certain substances based on the
concentration of the in-use solution or solid. For products sold
as concentrates or solids for dissolution (e.g., laundry
powder), the concentration will be measured when the solution is
diluted as directed on the label. If multiple dilution options
are given for various applications, the concentration will be
measured for the most concentrated application rate.
Certified products must not
contain more than 0.1 % by mass of in-use solution of any
ingredient that is classified as a known or suspected endocrine
disruptor, mutagen or teratogen, as defined above.
Certified products must not
contain more than 1 % by mass of in-use solution of any
ingredient that is classified as a possible carcinogen (IARC
class 2b), possible mutagen or contact sensitizer as defined
above.
The phosphorus load of liquid
cleaning products shall not exceed 50 mg/L of in-use solution.
Toilet cleaners may contain up to 200 mg / L of in-use solution.
The total phosphorus content of solid cleaning products shall
not exceed 0.2 % by mass. |
Based on a review of the
ingredients list of the products under assessment and review of
MSDS for each ingredient, CAS number research and chemical
assessment was found that all the products complied. |
3.2.3 Surfactants and Enzymes
All surfactants must be readily biodegradable as defined on
page 4 of the Standard.
All surfactants must be
anaerobically degradable as defined on page 4 of the Standard.
The micro-organism used for
enzyme production shall not be detectable in the final
preparation. |
Austech has supplied an
ingredients list of surfactants used in the product lines under
assessment verifying their aerobic and anaerobic
biodegradability. The MSDS for one of the surfactants used,
shows that the product meets the OECD 302 Standard/Australian
Standard 4351/1996.
Austech has provided
Certificates of Analysis showing the test results for
micro-organisms are within the specified range. Independent
testing of the Product by Silliker Australia show that the Total
Viable Aerobic Count at 25 and 30 degrees C are less than 10 CFU/g. |
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3.2.4 Solvents Certified
cleaners must not contain more than 5 % by mass volatile organic
compounds (VOC). For products sold as concentrates for
dissolution with water, the VOC concentration will be measured
or calculated when the solution is diluted as directed on the
label. If multiple dilution options are given for various
applications, the VOC concentration will be measured for the
most concentrated application rate that may be expected for
routine use. The VOC requirement may not apply to occasional use
of the concentrated product, such as stubborn stain removal. |
Volatile Organic Compounds on the
basis of the requirements of this criterion have been assessed.
The potential VOC materials used found were di-limonene, alcohol
and fragrance oils. The relevant formula show that no more than
5% of these compounds are used in the Products. For example for
Product 3 (Orange Power Multi-Purpose) the total is 1.83%. |
3.2.5 Fragrances and Colours
Fragrance must be produced and used in accordance with the
"Code of Practice" compiled by the International
Fragrance Association (IFRA).
Colorants used must be included
on the "List of Colouring Agents Allowed for use in
Cosmetic Products" in Annex IV of the European Union
Commission Directive 76/768/EEC. A copy of the Directive is
available at: http://ec.
europa.eu/enterprise/
cosmetics/html/
consolidated_ dir.htm |
IFA Conformity Certificates are
provided for Austech's fragrances.
Austech has supplied MSDS's and
a full ingredients list for each nominated product, which
explains the category of each ingredient. According to a review
of the ingredients list of the products under assessment and
review of MSDS for each ingredient the products under assessment
contain no colours. On the basis of this verification all
ingredients used in the manufacture of the product lines under
assessment were complaint to the requirements in this criterion. |
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3.3 Other Claims 3.3.1 Suitable
for Local Wastewater or Greywater Systems Products that
intend to claim suitability for local waste water systems or
on-site grey water systems and to declare that environmental
characteristic as part of the voluntary environmental labelling
declaration use must show that the total sodium load per
recommended dose (e.g., per wash for laundry detergents) is less
than 0.1 g / L or less than 10 g in total per use, whichever is
the lesser emission. |
Claims are made for products as
being safe for septics as they meet this criteria. |
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3.3.2 Phosphorus Related Claims
Products that intend to declare "no phosphorus",
"phosphorus free" or "phosphate free", or
similar, as part of the voluntary environmental labelling
declaration must not be in a product category where none of its
competitors use phosphorus-containing compounds (e.g., liquid
laundry detergent), since this represents a misleading
competitive environmental benefit.
If the claim refers to
"phosphorus", the product must not contain any
phosphorus containing compounds whatsoever.
If the claim refers to
"phosphates", the product must not contain phosphates
nor any other phosphorus-containing compounds that may react
(including via biologically mediated reactions) to provide
nutrient in any aquatic system. |
The products nominated under
assessment do not contain phosphorous and it's compounds based
on current ingredient lists. Material Safety Data Sheets and
ingredient lists have been supplied the necessary evidence for
the rest of this criterion. |
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3.3.3 Food Safe Products
that intend to declare "food safe", or similar, as
part of the voluntary environmental labelling declaration must
be able to provide evidence of formal recognition of this claim
by Food Standards Australia. |
Austech does not declare that
their products are "food safe" under a voluntary
environmental labeling declaration, there fore Austech is exempt
from requiring a Food Standards Australia declaration |
3.3.4 Organic
Products that intend to declare "Organic", or
similar, as part of the voluntary environmental labelling
declaration must be Australian Certified Organic (ACO), National
Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia (NASAA)
Certified Organic or Demeter Certified Organic. |
No evidence or declaration has
been made to certify the products are organic by Austech. |
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3.3.5 Other Claims Other
environmental claims shall be verifiable by GECA citing, as a
minimum, appropriate test results from an independent laboratory
in accordance with an internationally recognised relevant test
method. |
No environmental claims have been
made according to this criterion. |
3.4 Packaging and Labelling
3.4.1 Recyclability
All plastic containers and plastic components must be made
of a plastic type that is recycled in Australia (or the country
to which the product is exported and sold) and must have the
appropriate resin identification code promulgated by the
Plastics and Chemical Industry Association (http://www.pacia.
org.au) or in accordance with ISO 11469.
Packaging made from more than
one type of material must be easily and quickly separable into
component recyclable parts without the need for any tools.
Packaging must not be
impregnated, labeled, coated or otherwise treated in a manner,
which would prevent recycling (e.g., reinforced sleeves,
metallic labels).
Chlorinated or halogenated
plastics must not be used in product packaging.
Cardboard packaging must
contain at least 70% recycled pulp, or meet the requirements of
GECA Standard 11 - Recycled Paper Products.
Used packaging shall be able to
be recycled by local recycling systems. |
The site assessment has confirmed
that the product lines in the "Orange power" range use
PET products apart from the laundry liquid which is made of HDPE.
The caps and triggers are made from PP or PE recyclable
material. Resin codes are displayed upon the bottles and are
soon to be placed upon the caps. An exemption is provided for
the trigger which contains two different plastics and which is
designed in such a way which makes marking difficult. GECS has
inspected a selection of product at Woolworths and the plastic
packaging which clearly states PETE 1 demonstrating compliance
to this criterion.
Information from Austech's
supplier of the packaging has informed GECS that Orange Power
packaging is 100% recyclable in normal curbside recycling
systems.
Austech's cardboard packaging
uses Type 4C corrugated board which is 100% recycled. Austech
has supplied a letter from its supplier which states this
evidence. |
3.4.2 Product Information
The manufacturer must provide written information to the
consumer clearly stating: - Instructions for proper use so as to
maximise product performance and minimise waste. - A list of
product ingredients which complies with the requirements of the
EEC Commission Recommendation for Labelling of Detergents and
Cleaning Products. - Environmentally responsible disposal
instructions. If the product is to be exported, instructions for
safe chemical use must be provided in all appropriate languages. |
Greencare has supplied a graphical
representation of packaging to be used on the nominated
products. The packaging indicates product instructions on how to
use the product and a list of ingredients.
GECS has undertaken an
inspection of a product sample at the point of sale in a retail
outlet confirming the display of a detailed and easy-to-use
instructions for the nominated products. |
(Laundry Detergents Standard)
|
Environmental Requirements |
Core Environmental Performance Characteristics |
3.1 Fitness for Purpose
Certified products should be good performers in their
intended application. It is implied that certain standards of
product performance are implicit in the label. Certified product
must ensure that the product is fit for its intended purpose |
The product lines under assessment
are tested for PH, solids, reflective index etc.
Greencare Developments
manufactures Austech's products and has 30 years of experience
in providing alternatives to "Mainstream" cosmetics
and household cleaning products. GreenCare and Austech produce
the Orange Power brand of products.
There is no standard related to
fitness for purpose for laundry detergents in Australia. GECS is
hence reliant upon general market acceptance and internal
testing by the manufacturer. The product range has been widely
used in the Australian market and is available through
mainstream retail outlets.
Internal testing regimes
include wash tests with soiled swatches of cloth in comparison
to competing products. The surfactants/enzymes of the product
are biodegradable according to AS 4351/1996. |
3.2 Formulation Requirements
The laundry detergent shall not be formulated or
manufactured with: o EDTA; o NTA; o trichloroethane o chlorine
or chlorine compounds; o xylene sulfonate; o more than 0.1% by
weight of formaldehyde or formaldehyde donors expressed as
formaldehyde; o opacifiers; or o alkyl phenol ethoxylates (APEO)
actives o substances classified as carcinogenic according to the
approved criteria for the classification of hazardous substances
by the National Industry Chemical Notification and Assessment
Scheme; o greater than 0.1% of any ingredient that is classified
or may be classified as mutagenic or tetragenic according to the
approved criteria for the classification of hazardous substances
by the National Industry Chemical Notification and Assessment
Scheme; o greater than 1% of any ingredient that is classified
as a contact sensitiser or as a possible mutagen according to
the approved criteria for the classification of hazardous
substances by the National Industry Chemical Notification and
Assessment Scheme; |
GECS has received comprehensive
ingredients lists including the names of raw material suppliers
(delivered under company seal and gathered on site during the
site assessment) for each of the nominated product range. The
audit process undertook an investigation of each ingredient
based on desktop research of CAS numbers attributable and MSDS's
for each ingredient. The results of this comprehensive analysis
demonstrated compliance to this criterion. The actual
formulations are considered commercially secret and are hence
not presented here. |
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3.3 Phosphonates The total
amount of phosphates (as sodium tripolyphosphate - STPP) at the
recommended dosage shall not exceed 25ml/litre. |
Austech has supplied in- house
testing results from an independent laboratory which indicate
that the phosphorous loads for the product under assessment to
be 7.24 mg/L-1, which is well below the limit mentioned in the
criterion. |
3.4 Surfactants
All surfactants must be readily biodegradable and
anaerobically degradable. |
The site assessment has confirmed
that the surfactants used in the product lines under assessment
are biodegradable and that enzymes are used. Austech has
supplied an ingredients list of surfactants used in the product
lines under assessment verifying their aerobic and anaerobic
biodegradability. The MSDS for one of the surfactants used shows
that the product meets the OECD 302 Standard/Australian Standard
4351/1996. |
3.5 Purity of Enzymes
The enzyme production micro-organism shall be absent from
the final enzyme preparation. |
Austech has provided a
Certificates of Analysis showing the test results for
micro-organisms are within the quoted range. Independent testing
of the Product by Silliker Australia show that the Total Viable
Aerobic Count at 25 and 30 degrees C are less than 10 CFU/g. |
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3.6 Fragrance Fragrance
must be produced and used in accordance with the "Code of
Practice" compiled by the International Fragrance
Association (IFRA). Fragrance containing certain mitromusk
compounds must not be used because of their cancer risk. |
Based on a review of the
ingredients list of the products under assessment and review of
MSDS for each ingredient, CAS number research and chemical
assessment it is found that the products comply to this
criterion. Each ingredient classified as a fragrance, indicate
there are none of the above mentioned carcinogens in the
products under assessment. IFA Conformity Certificates are
provided for Austech's fragrances. The MSDS shows that this
material is non hazardous. |
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3.7 Colours Colorants used
must be included on the "List of Colouring Agents Allowed
for use in Cosmetic Products" in Annex IV of European
Commission Directorate 76/768/EEC, 27 July 1976 on the
Approximation of the Laws of the Member States relating to
Cosmetic Products (OJ L 262, 7.9.1976, p 169). |
Austech has supplied MSDS's and a
full ingredients list for the nominated product, which explains
the category of each ingredient. According to a review of the
ingredients list of the products under assessment and review of
MSDS for each ingredient the product under assessment contains
no colours. On the basis of this verification all ingredients
used in the manufacture of the product lines under assessment
were complaint to the requirements in this criterion. |
3.8 Consumer Information
The detergents must be accompanied by instructions for
proper use so as to maximise product performance and minimise
waste. All detergents must display on the container a list of
product ingredients which complies with the requirements of the
EEC Commission Recommendation for Labelling of Detergents and
Cleaning Products. |
Greencare has supplied a graphical
representation of packaging to be used on the nominated
products. The packaging indicates product instructions on how to
use the product and a list of ingredients.
GECS has undertaken an
inspection of a product sample at the point of sale in a retail
outlet confirming the display of a detailed and easy-to-use
instructions for the nominated products. |
3.9 Packaging
All plastic containers and plastic components must be made
of plastic that are recycled in Australia (or the country to
which the product is exported and sold). Packaging must not be
impregnated, labelled, coated or otherwise treated in a manner,
which would prevent recycling (i.e. PVC sleeves, metallic
labels). All plastic packaging (i.e. container, cap, measuring
devise) must have a plastic resin identification code clearly
visible on each item. Packaging (including labels) must not
contain PVC or any type of chlorinated materials. The cardboard
packaging shall consist of >=70% recycled material. |
The site assessment has confirmed
that the product lines in the "Orange power" range use
PET products apart from the laundry liquid which is made of HDPE.
The caps and triggers are made from PP or PE recyclable
material. Resin codes are displayed upon the bottles and are
soon to be placed upon the caps. An exemption is provided for
the trigger which contains two different plastics and which is
designed in such a way which makes marking difficult.
GECS has inspected a selection
of product at Woolworths and the plastic packaging which clearly
states PETE 1 demonstrating compliance to this criterion.
Information from the supplier
of the packaging has informed GECS that Orange Power packaging
is 100% recyclable in normal curbside recycling systems.
Austech's cardboard packaging
uses Type 4C corrugated board which is 100% recycled. Austech
has supplied a letter from its supplier which states this
evidence. |
3.10 - Suitability for Local
Wastewater Systems
Detergents that seek to be assessed for suitability for
compliance environmental criteria for local waste water systems
or on-site systems and to declare that environmental
characteristic as part of the voluntary environmental labelling
declaration use must comply with the following requirements: The
total sodium load per wash shall be less than 21 gram per 150
litre ( 0.14gr/l) |
Claims are made for products as
being safe for septics and grey water systems as they meet this
criteria. |
 View
Austech EPD
3. Environmental and Social Regulatory Obligations:
GECA also found the Austech range to
be fully compliant with their obligations under Labour,
Anti-Discrimination, and Safety Regulations. The company
has not been the subject of prosecution in relation to
compliance with labour, anti- discrimination, safety
regulations and environmental regulations.
Additional Information
Good Environmental Choice Australia
recommends these products to green purchasing officers,
specifiers, and every day Australians seeking to
purchase products and services on the basis of
functional and overall environmental and human health
performance.
For more information contact Austech
directly:
Austech
Address: 44 Kitchen Road, Dandenong, Melbourne VIC 3175
Postal Address: PO Box 1033, Cleveland QLD 4163
Ph: +61 (07) 3820 8888 or 1800 061 801
Fax: +61 (07) 3820 8899
Web: www.orangepower.com.au
E-mail: austpro@austpro.com.au
You can go to the company's web site here:
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Carpet Cleaner
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Laundry Liquid
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Shower Bath & Tile Cleaner
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Pre-wash stain remover
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Multi Purpose Cleaner
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