GreenPro is a national program that certifies pest control companies on green/eco-pest management services, business operations, environmental stewardship, testing requirements and customer communications practices. GreenPro was officially launched in July 2009. In addition to complying with green/eco-pest management requirements, GreenPro firms must also be QualityPro certified. NCHH has evaluated the program and determined that it is a credible and is directly relevant to healthier homes.
QualityPro was launched in 2004 and is designed to increase professionalism in the pest control industry by requiring members to conduct criminal background checks, check references, conduct drug screening, and require training for its staff. GreenPro takes QualityPro a step further by requiring firms to use integrated pest management (IPM) for more effective and sustainable pest control that emphasizes pest prevention and apply pesticides only when necessary. See www.certifiedgreenpro.org/commitment.asp.
GreenPro and QualityPro are formally run by the Foundation for Professional Pest Management. Both programs are managed by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). NPMA is the trade association for the structural pest control industry. Typically, NCHH is concerned about a potential conflict of interest when a certification program is run by a trade association. In this case, the Foundation and NPMA have taken three steps that address NCHH's concerns:
- Formed an independent advisory board to oversee all functions of the program that provides the necessary independence. Environmental expert, representatives of non-government organizations, and representatives of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) serve on the board.
- Required audit by a national third-party audit firm that conducts on-site evaluations and reports back to the independent advisory board on a regular basis.
- Published strong standards based on IPM and enhanced those standards in response to concerns raised by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to earn NRDC's recognition.
Two cautions:
- GreenPro is still ramping up. During this time, firms may be certified before the independent, third-party audit has been completed. This audit confirms that the firm is following the program requirements. Ask if the firm's GreenPro audit is complete and confirmed compliance. The ramp-up should be complete by the end of 2010. In addition, GreenPro companies will be required to adhere to a pre-approval audit and a comprehensive first year paper audit in an effort to ensure compliance prior to the field audit.
- GreenPro's certification covers each branch office of a pest control company. The company may offer services not covered by GreenPro at other branch offices and even within the branch office. Make sure you are getting GreenPro services. GreenPro requires the firm to tell you when they are offering services not covered by GreenPro - but you should ask to be sure.
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