Mention \u2018chemicals\u2019 and the word often carries distinctly negative connotations. \u2018Genetic engineering\u2019 does not always fare much better, let alone \u2018pharma\u2019. 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 \u2013 always within the framework of accreditations, standards and legal requirements. <\/p>\n\n The scale of laboratories\u2019 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 \u00b0C are similarly energy-hungry [3]. <\/p>\n\n 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. <\/p>\n\n 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. <\/p>\n\n But what exactly does this involve? How does certification work? And what tangible benefits does it offer? <\/p>\n\n Sustainability certification refers to various certification systems that support companies in implementing \u201cgreen\u201d practices and make their progress visible. Among the best-known programs in the laboratory sector are My Green Lab from <\/strong>the U.S. and LEAF (Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework) from <\/strong>the U.K. My Green Lab considers itself the international gold standard; it is supported by the UN\u2019s \u201cRace to Zero\u201d initiative and recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) [4]. <\/p>\n\n The My Green Lab program<\/strong><\/mark> evaluates laboratories in 14 categories\u2014ranging from energy and water to waste and chemical management, and on to mobility and green chemistry. The cost of certification<\/strong> ranges from about $350 to $500, depending on the number of laboratories per facility (approximately 300 to 430 euros<\/strong>) [5]. <\/p>\n\n My Green Lab certification follows four stages:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n My Green Lab certification is valid for two years and must then be renewed if required [7].<\/p>\n\n In addition to My Green Lab , another certification program, LEAF <\/strong>, has become established, finding particular favor in academic institutions in Europe.<\/mark> 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<\/strong> is calculated per institution and ranges from \u00a31,100 to \u00a32,600 (approximately \u20ac1,300 to \u20ac3,000<\/strong>), depending on the size of the institution [5]. <\/p>\n\n 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\u2014this 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]. <\/p>\n\n 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.<\/mark> Measures with a particularly high impact, such as reducing ventilation rates, are compulsory for the highest certification level, \u2018Gold\u2019. LEAF also includes a calculator that enables laboratories to quantify savings in both CO\u2082 emissions and costs. During the programme\u2019s pilot phase, participating laboratory groups saved an average of around 2.9 tonnes of CO\u2082 equivalent and approximately \u20ac4,300 per year \u2013 about 70 per cent of it through lower energy costs alone [5]. <\/p>\n\n 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.<\/mark> 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]. <\/p>\n\n My Green Lab<\/strong> uses a flexible points system<\/mark> 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\u2019s \u201cRace to Zero\u201d campaign, and offers a broad ecosystem of supplementary programs\u2014including the Freezer Challenge for optimizing refrigeration equipment and the ACT Label for sustainable laboratory products [4]. <\/p>\n\n LEAF<\/strong><\/mark>, 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]. <\/p>\n\n 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\u2019s highest level, \u2018Green\u2019, but only LEAF\u2019s middle level, \u2018Silver\u2019 [5]. The result reflects the programmes\u2019 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. <\/p>\n\n 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. <\/p>\n\n 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\u2019s 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: \u2018Until 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.\u2019 [6] <\/p>\n\n 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. <\/p>\n\n One of the clearest benefits of sustainability certification is the signal it sends beyond the laboratory \u2013 and the distinction it can create from competitors. Much like an organic label on a carton of milk, a sustainability label on a laboratory\u2019s website communicates quality and, in this case, a commitment to more sustainable practice. That can strengthen the laboratory\u2019s reputation with collaboration partners, funding bodies and prospective applicants. <\/p>\n\n 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 \u00b0C, for example, can cut their energy use by up to 30 per cent \u2013 and for most biological samples, the change can be made without causing damage [12]. <\/p>\n\n Sustainability certification can provide the impetus a laboratory needs to become greener. It also sends a clear signal to the outside world \u2013 one that many customers and prospective applicants will welcome. <\/p>\n\n Which of the two major programmes is the better fit depends on the setting.<\/mark> 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]. <\/p>\n\n Ultimately, the choice of programme \u2013 or even whether to pursue certification at all \u2013 is less important than taking action. The real task is to question entrenched routines rather than fall back on the familiar refrain, \u2018We\u2019ve always done it this way\u2019, 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<\/mark> Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n [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\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n [2] K\u00f6ttermann: More Sustainability in the Lab. https:\/\/www.koettermann.com\/de\/nachaltiger-im-labor\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n [3] MDC Berlin (July 2, 2025): Greater Sustainability in the Lab. https:\/\/www.mdc-berlin.de\/de\/news\/news\/mehr-nachhaltigkeit-im-labor<\/a><\/p>\n\n [4] My Green Lab: MGL Certification Program. https:\/\/mygreenlab.org\/programs\/mgl-certification\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n [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<\/a><\/p>\n\n [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<\/a><\/p>\n\n [7] Freie Universit\u00e4t Berlin: My Green Lab Certification: An Overview of the Process. https:\/\/www.bcp.fu-berlin.de\/forschung\/greenlab\/rd-inhaltselemente\/zertifizierung.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n [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\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n [9] UCL: Take part in LEAF. https:\/\/www.ucl.ac.uk\/sustainable\/case-studies\/2020\/aug\/take-part-leaf<\/a><\/p>\n\n [10] Wiley Analytical Science (January 1\u20134, 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<\/a><\/p>\n\nWhat is \u2018sustainability certification\u2019?<\/h3>\n\n
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My Green Lab and LEAF\u2014Two Paths, One Goal<\/h3>\n\n
What are the benefits of certification?<\/h3>\n\n
Conclusion<\/h3>\n\n
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