Leaders wanted
Scientists, sustainability directors, procurement specialists, facility managers, designers, and manufacturers have all indicated a need for transparent, third-party verified data around the environmental impact of laboratory products. Join the ACT program to learn how your products compare, to share your commitment to sustainability, or to meet the sustainable procurement requirements of your customers. Download the ACT brochure and learn more about how to get involved, or contact us by email.
FAQs
Why should we participate in the ACT program?
Your customers are asking for this information.
Organizations including
Baylor University
Cleveland Clinic
Duke University
Harvard University
Emory University
MIT
NIH
University of Alabama, Birmingham
University of Birmingham
University of Bristol
University of British Columbia
University of California
University of Colorado, Boulder
University of Georgia
University of Virginia
have started integrating the ACT label into their procurement processes. With so many new companies joining ACT each year, it is becoming easier for procurement specialists to specify ACT-labeled products in their RFPs/tenders.
The ACT label program is global. There are region-specific ACT labels for the EU, UK, and US. We work closely with procurement specialists in these regions to ensure that the ACT label is widely recognized. New regions are being added annually as the program continues to expand.
The ACT label process provides you with valuable insights into how to improve the sustainability of your products.
The ACT label process includes an extensive desktop audit. At the end of the audit we provide you with suggestions on how to reduce the environmental impact of your products and packaging. Many of our partners now use the ACT criteria to inform their R&D, ensuring that they are designing and manufacturing the most sustainable products possible.
Participating in the program establishes your company as a leader.
In such a competitive marketplace, being seen as a leader in sustainability is a key differentiator and establishes your brand as the preferred brand of the next generation of scientists.
Organizations including
Baylor University
Cleveland Clinic
Duke University
Harvard University
Emory University
MIT
NIH
University of Alabama, Birmingham
University of Birmingham
University of Bristol
University of British Columbia
University of California
University of Colorado, Boulder
University of Georgia
University of Virginia
have started integrating the ACT label into their procurement processes. With so many new companies joining ACT each year, it is becoming easier for procurement specialists to specify ACT-labeled products in their RFPs/tenders.
The ACT label program is global. There are region-specific ACT labels for the EU, UK, and US. We work closely with procurement specialists in these regions to ensure that the ACT label is widely recognized. New regions are being added annually as the program continues to expand.
The ACT label process provides you with valuable insights into how to improve the sustainability of your products.
The ACT label process includes an extensive desktop audit. At the end of the audit we provide you with suggestions on how to reduce the environmental impact of your products and packaging. Many of our partners now use the ACT criteria to inform their R&D, ensuring that they are designing and manufacturing the most sustainable products possible.
Participating in the program establishes your company as a leader.
In such a competitive marketplace, being seen as a leader in sustainability is a key differentiator and establishes your brand as the preferred brand of the next generation of scientists.
What is the process?
Products are evaluated in the following key areas:
The ACT label process includes seven steps:
1. A signed mutual confidentiality agreement
2. Agreement on the proposed products to be labeled
3. A desktop audit of the attributes listed on the ACT label (see 'What is required for the audit?' below)
4. A review of the information by SMS Collaborative (the auditing company) and My Green Lab
5. A review of the data collected and the final label with SMS Collaborative, My Green Lab, and company representatives
6. Publication of the label on the ACT website and the product page
7. Marketing efforts to share the ACT label information with the scientific community
1. A signed mutual confidentiality agreement
2. Agreement on the proposed products to be labeled
3. A desktop audit of the attributes listed on the ACT label (see 'What is required for the audit?' below)
4. A review of the information by SMS Collaborative (the auditing company) and My Green Lab
5. A review of the data collected and the final label with SMS Collaborative, My Green Lab, and company representatives
6. Publication of the label on the ACT website and the product page
7. Marketing efforts to share the ACT label information with the scientific community
what is required for the audit?
The audit includes questions related to the sustainable attributes of a product's manufacturing, use, end-of-life, and packaging. This document briefly describes the type of information that is requested as part of the audit.
WHAT IS THE INVESTMENT?
ACT pricing is determined by product family. We strongly recommend choosing one or two product categories to start. This gives you time to learn the ACT label process and identify the best way to market your ACT labels before labeling additional products.
Equipment Pricing
The initial cost for an equipment product family is $5,925 for the first EU, UK, and US labels. Additional products within that family are $300 each. The initial cost for a related product family is $1,500 for the first EU, UK, and US labels.
It is possible to obtain an ACT label for a product in a specific region (US or EU/UK). In this case, the initial cost for an equipment product family is $3,950. Additional products within that family are $150 each, and the initial cost for a related product family is $1,000.
Consumable/Chemical Pricing
Because consumables and chemicals do not have an energy/water component, the cost of these labels is less. The initial cost for a consumable/chemical product family is $4,400 for the first EU, UK, and US labels. Additional products within that family are $300 each. The initial cost for a related product family remains the same, $1,500 for the first EU, UK, and US labels.
As with equipment, it is possible to obtain an ACT label for a product in a specific region (US or EU/UK). In this case, the initial cost for a consumable/chemical product family is $2,950. Additional labels within that family are $150 each, and the initial cost for a related product family is $1,000.
Equipment Pricing
The initial cost for an equipment product family is $5,925 for the first EU, UK, and US labels. Additional products within that family are $300 each. The initial cost for a related product family is $1,500 for the first EU, UK, and US labels.
It is possible to obtain an ACT label for a product in a specific region (US or EU/UK). In this case, the initial cost for an equipment product family is $3,950. Additional products within that family are $150 each, and the initial cost for a related product family is $1,000.
Consumable/Chemical Pricing
Because consumables and chemicals do not have an energy/water component, the cost of these labels is less. The initial cost for a consumable/chemical product family is $4,400 for the first EU, UK, and US labels. Additional products within that family are $300 each. The initial cost for a related product family remains the same, $1,500 for the first EU, UK, and US labels.
As with equipment, it is possible to obtain an ACT label for a product in a specific region (US or EU/UK). In this case, the initial cost for a consumable/chemical product family is $2,950. Additional labels within that family are $150 each, and the initial cost for a related product family is $1,000.
HOW DO WE GET INVOLVED?
To become involved with ACT label program, email us. We'd be happy to give a presentation to you and your colleagues about the process and the benefits of working together.
WHICH COMPANIES HAVE act-labeled products?
Over 230 labels are on the ACT website from the following companies:
Chart
CoolLED
Eppendorf
Labcon
Micronic
Miele
MilliporeSigma
Priorclave
Thermo Fisher Nalgene
Thermo Fisher Scientific
The list of products is growing quickly. We expect to have over 400 labels by April 2020.
Chart
CoolLED
Eppendorf
Labcon
Micronic
Miele
MilliporeSigma
Priorclave
Thermo Fisher Nalgene
Thermo Fisher Scientific
The list of products is growing quickly. We expect to have over 400 labels by April 2020.
which third-parties have recognized the act label?
In addition to being recognized by leading research institutions, the ACT label has received awards by the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council and the International institute for Sustainable Laboratories. The International Living Future Institute also recognizes the ACT label as meeting their criteria for the Living Building Challenge.
WHAT IS THE ACTIVIST 50?
The ACTivist 50 is a group of leading manufacturers and suppliers working to promote sustainable procurement in labs. The group meets 4x annually - once in person and three times over the phone - to discuss opportunities for enhancing sustainability throughout the supply chain and to share best practices.
The ACTivist 50 group is mirrored by the Procurement ACTivist group, which includes leading procurement specialists dedicated to establishing sustainable procurement guidelines for laboratory products.
The ACTivist 50 and Procurement ACTivists share ideas and work together to affect lasting change in the laboratory product space.
The ACTivist 50 group is mirrored by the Procurement ACTivist group, which includes leading procurement specialists dedicated to establishing sustainable procurement guidelines for laboratory products.
The ACTivist 50 and Procurement ACTivists share ideas and work together to affect lasting change in the laboratory product space.
we have or are considering iso14001. Should we invest in the act label as well?
ISO14001 certification is complementary to ACT. Achieving ISO14001 certification is a great first step in improving the sustainability of your organization. The ACT program takes ISO certification into account under 'Responsible Chemical Management', and those organizations that have ISO14001 usually score quite well in this category. It should be noted that we also recognize equivalent Environmental Management Systems for this category.
The ACT label audit goes beyond ISO14001 in many aspects. For example, the audit requires disclosure of the chemical composition of products in order to determine if products contain any List Translator-1 chemicals. The audit also looks more broadly at a product's environmental impact during its use and end-of-life.
The ACT label audit goes beyond ISO14001 in many aspects. For example, the audit requires disclosure of the chemical composition of products in order to determine if products contain any List Translator-1 chemicals. The audit also looks more broadly at a product's environmental impact during its use and end-of-life.