Proven sustainability
Sustainability certification for scientific laboratories
Lower energy costs, less waste and a stronger position when competing for research funding and skilled professionals: sustainable laboratories offer a host of benefits, both now and in the longer term. We take a closer look at two of the best-known certification programmes for laboratories: My Green Lab and LEAF.
Mention ‘chemicals’ and the word often carries distinctly negative connotations. ‘Genetic engineering’ does not always fare much better, let alone ‘pharma’. For many people, these fields evoke heavy industry, artificial products, hazardous substances and novel organisms that are difficult to control. Yet, quite apart from the misinformation and prejudice that surround them, sustainability is becoming an increasingly important concern in precisely these sectors. From small start-up laboratories to large chemical plants, organisations have long been working to reduce their environmental footprint and adopt more environmentally responsible methods – always within the framework of accreditations, standards and legal requirements.
The scale of laboratories’ energy and resource use makes them an obvious place to start. Research facilities consume five to ten times more energy per square metre than office buildings [1]. A single fume cupboard running at full capacity can use as much electricity as up to three single-family homes [2]. Ultra-low-temperature freezers set to -80 °C are similarly energy-hungry [3].
Laboratories not only consume large amounts of energy; they also generate substantial quantities of waste, including contaminated hazardous materials and, above all, large volumes of packaging and consumables. Academic institutions alone accounted for around two per cent of global plastic waste in 2014 [1]. Water consumption and chemical use add to the burden. Taken together, these factors make a substantial contribution to the ecological footprint of universities, research institutions and companies.
Sustainability measures are widely regarded as worthwhile, but commercial laboratories in particular must remain profitable. The two aims need not be at odds. This is where sustainability certification comes in: it makes the efforts of companies and analytical laboratories visible and comparable, helping them stand out from competitors and perhaps strengthen their next application for research funding. After all, environmental management now matters not only to customers, but also to auditors and reviewers.
But what exactly does this involve? How does certification work? And what tangible benefits does it offer?
What is ‘sustainability certification’?
Sustainability certification refers to various certification systems that support companies in implementing “green” practices and make their progress visible. Among the best-known programs in the laboratory sector are My Green Lab from the U.S. and LEAF (Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework) from the U.K. My Green Lab considers itself the international gold standard; it is supported by the UN’s “Race to Zero” initiative and recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) [4].
The My Green Lab program evaluates laboratories in 14 categories—ranging from energy and water to waste and chemical management, and on to mobility and green chemistry. The cost of certification ranges from about $350 to $500, depending on the number of laboratories per facility (approximately 300 to 430 euros) [5].
My Green Lab certification follows four stages:
- Assess the current situation: Using a questionnaire, lab staff determine the current state of the lab. Based on this assessment, My Green Lab employees propose improvements to make the lab more sustainable.
- Implementing Measures: The designated sustainability coordinators in the lab discuss the proposals internally and with My Green Lab and develop a strategy for implementation. They have six to eight months to implement as many of the measures as possible in the lab.
- Determine the results: After the implementation phase, the lab staff will again use a questionnaire to assess the current state of the lab.
- Certification: Based on the results, My Green Lab issues the corresponding certification in the form of a label—Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, or the highest certification level, Green—depending on the percentage of measures that have been successfully implemented. While Bronze is awarded for 40 percent or more of the measures implemented, at least 80 percent of the recommended measures must be successfully implemented to achieve “Green” status [6].
My Green Lab certification is valid for two years and must then be renewed if required [7].
In addition to My Green Lab , another certification program, LEAF , has become established, finding particular favor in academic institutions in Europe. Originally developed by University College London (UCL), over 3,800 laboratories in 15 countries now use this program (as of 2024) [5]. The cost of LEAF certification is calculated per institution and ranges from £1,100 to £2,600 (approximately €1,300 to €3,000), depending on the size of the institution [5].
LEAF divides the certification process into three levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold [8]. The process begins with a self-assessment via an online platform that guides the laboratory through a structured inventory [9]. The teams then implement measures step by step and submit their results to the LEAF platform for review. The results are verified through a so-called cross-audit, in which laboratories within the same institution audit one another—this is intended to increase transparency and make greenwashing more difficult [10]. The LEAF certificate is valid for one year and must be renewed thereafter [5].
In practical terms, LEAF covers much the same ground as My Green Lab: energy, water, waste, chemicals, procurement and staff engagement. The key difference is its more prescriptive approach. LEAF sets out the criteria that laboratories must meet at each level. Measures with a particularly high impact, such as reducing ventilation rates, are compulsory for the highest certification level, ‘Gold’. LEAF also includes a calculator that enables laboratories to quantify savings in both CO₂ emissions and costs. During the programme’s pilot phase, participating laboratory groups saved an average of around 2.9 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent and approximately €4,300 per year – about 70 per cent of it through lower energy costs alone [5].
My Green Lab and LEAF—Two Paths, One Goal
Both programmes have the same goal: to make laboratories more sustainable. Their approaches, however, differ in several important respects. In one comparison of LEAF and My Green Lab, LEAF proved significantly better adapted to the German regulatory context. One likely reason is that its UK origins place it closer to European standards than the US-based My Green Lab. The latter reportedly recommends some measures that have long been mandatory under EU regulations [10].
My Green Lab uses a flexible points system across 14 categories. Labs choose for themselves which measures to implement and thereby earn points toward their certification level. This provides flexibility but also carries a risk: Theoretically, a high level could be achieved without implementing particularly effective measures, as highlighted in a detailed comparison of the two programs [5]. Nevertheless, My Green Lab is established globally, supported by the UN’s “Race to Zero” campaign, and offers a broad ecosystem of supplementary programs—including the Freezer Challenge for optimizing refrigeration equipment and the ACT Label for sustainable laboratory products [4].
LEAF, on the other hand, relies on fixed minimum standards: Each certification level mandates specific measures. This ensures greater comparability and reduces the risk that laboratories will implement only the simplest steps. In addition, LEAF was developed with European framework conditions in mind, which facilitates its transferability to German and EU laboratories. The downside: So far, the program has been aimed primarily at academic institutions; a separate version for commercial laboratories is still under development [5].
A direct comparison shows how significant this distinction can be. In a trial of the two major certification programmes, one laboratory completed both schemes in parallel. It achieved My Green Lab’s highest level, ‘Green’, but only LEAF’s middle level, ‘Silver’ [5]. The result reflects the programmes’ different priorities. My Green Lab places considerable emphasis on training laboratory staff and raising awareness of sustainability, whereas LEAF defines specific requirements that must be met to reach each level.
What are the benefits of certification?
The measures discussed and implemented during certification are hardly trade secrets. Laboratories could adopt the same sustainability practices independently, without applying for an official certificate. The challenge is turning good intentions into action: that takes determination, perseverance and disciplined organisation. Many laboratories have already shown that it can be done.
Official sustainability certification gives laboratories and their staff a clear incentive to engage with the issue and put planned measures into practice promptly. Regular meetings between the laboratory team members coordinating the process and the certification provider’s contacts also strengthen internal networks. Those coordinators can then carry ideas and ambitions for sustainability into the wider organisation and help embed them in everyday practice. Dr Melanie Krebs of Heidelberg University, whose research group began Green Lab certification in 2024, describes the effect: ‘Until now, sustainability had mainly been a concern for those who were already interested. The certification process has brought the issue to a much wider audience.’ [6]
Certification providers also bring experience that helps laboratories plan and implement changes in a structured, efficient way. A named contact is available when questions or problems arise, giving the staff involved expert support throughout the process.
One of the clearest benefits of sustainability certification is the signal it sends beyond the laboratory – and the distinction it can create from competitors. Much like an organic label on a carton of milk, a sustainability label on a laboratory’s website communicates quality and, in this case, a commitment to more sustainable practice. That can strengthen the laboratory’s reputation with collaboration partners, funding bodies and prospective applicants.
Most importantly, certification can deliver genuine environmental improvements. These often come with financial savings, thanks to lower energy and water consumption and reduced use of consumables. Raising ultra-low-temperature freezers from -80 to -70 °C, for example, can cut their energy use by up to 30 per cent – and for most biological samples, the change can be made without causing damage [12].
Conclusion
Sustainability certification can provide the impetus a laboratory needs to become greener. It also sends a clear signal to the outside world – one that many customers and prospective applicants will welcome.
Which of the two major programmes is the better fit depends on the setting. My Green Lab is particularly suitable for industrial laboratories or those working internationally and seeking a globally recognised certification. For European research institutions, however, LEAF may be the more practical choice because it is more closely aligned with local conditions [5].
Ultimately, the choice of programme – or even whether to pursue certification at all – is less important than taking action. The real task is to question entrenched routines rather than fall back on the familiar refrain, ‘We’ve always done it this way’, and to put more sustainable measures into practice. That is where the real gain lies: for staff, organisations and, of course, the environment.
Case study: My Green Lab certification at Heidelberg University
The Centre for Organismal Studies (COS) at Heidelberg University shows what successful sustainability measures can look like in practice. In July 2025, 23 laboratories there received My Green Lab certification, with 13 achieving the highest level, ‘Green’ [6]. The measures introduced across the research groups were varied and, in most cases, straightforward to implement.
At an organisational level, COS appointed sustainability coordinators to oversee the process and serve as day-to-day contacts. Information on sustainable laboratory practice was added to regular safety briefings, ensuring that future team members would also be reached. The Heidelberg researchers introduced several technical measures as well. They replaced inefficient equipment and fitted electrical devices with rocker switches so that they could be disconnected completely from the mains when not in use.
To address waste and resource use, the teams set up a shared recycling point for laboratory and office materials. Posters offering practical sustainability tips kept the subject visible in day-to-day laboratory work. The participating research groups also exchanged ideas on topics including single-use plastics, energy saving and water consumption, allowing them to share best practice.
Dr Melanie Krebs, who played a leading role in the process, drew a positive conclusion: certification had significantly raised awareness of sustainable laboratory practice – and, taken together, even small steps produced a measurable effect [6].
Sources:
[1] Laborpraxis (August 2025): Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: The Best Strategies for Combating Plastic Waste. https://www.laborpraxis.vogel.de/reduce-reuse-recycle-die-besten-strategien-gegen-plastikmuell-a-8331892d78451c7674966e030f9a9749/
[2] Köttermann: More Sustainability in the Lab. https://www.koettermann.com/de/nachaltiger-im-labor/
[3] MDC Berlin (July 2, 2025): Greater Sustainability in the Lab. https://www.mdc-berlin.de/de/news/news/mehr-nachhaltigkeit-im-labor
[4] My Green Lab: MGL Certification Program. https://mygreenlab.org/programs/mgl-certification/
[5] RSC Sustainability (2024): Comparative Study of the LEAF and My Green Lab Certification Programs. https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2024/su/d4su00387j
[6] University of Heidelberg (July 21, 2025): My Green Lab: Successful Certification for Natural Sciences and Life Sciences Laboratories. https://www.uni-heidelberg.de/de/newsroom/my-green-lab-erfolgreiche-zertifizierung-fuer-natur-und-lebenswissenschaftliche-labore
[7] Freie Universität Berlin: My Green Lab Certification: An Overview of the Process. https://www.bcp.fu-berlin.de/forschung/greenlab/rd-inhaltselemente/zertifizierung.html
[8] Laborpraxis (February 2025): Saving Thousands of Euros and Reducing Emissions: The Leaf Project. https://www.laborpraxis.vogel.de/nachhaltigkeit-in-forschungslaboren-leaf-zertifikat-a-9ffc5af19ea37bc9a644ee71d37a0306/
[9] UCL: Take part in LEAF. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/sustainable/case-studies/2020/aug/take-part-leaf
[10] Wiley Analytical Science (January 1–4, 2025): Sustainability in Laboratories Through the LEAF and My Green Lab Programs. https://analyticalscience.wiley.com/content/article-do/nachhaltigkeit-laboren-durch-die-programme-leaf-und-my-green-lab
[11] Carl ROTH Blog (February 2, 2023): There’s a lot of green in ROTH. https://carlroth.blog/in-roth-steckt-jede-menge-gruen/
