Product Overview

Summary: This Eco-Friendly Products Usage Standard Operating Procedure sets out a clear, practical framework for selecting, storing and using environmentally responsible products across your workplace. It helps Australian businesses reduce their environmental footprint, support WHS obligations, and embed sustainable purchasing and usage habits into everyday operations.

This Eco-Friendly Products Usage Standard Operating Procedure provides a structured, repeatable approach for integrating environmentally preferable products into day-to-day operations across Australian workplaces. It covers how to identify credible eco-labels, assess product safety and environmental performance, and transition away from high-impact consumables such as harsh chemical cleaners, single-use plastics and non-recyclable office supplies. The SOP supports organisations that are serious about sustainability but need clear, practical guidance that works in real-world settings, from offices and warehouses through to retail and light industrial environments.

By adopting this SOP, businesses can align procurement and usage practices with their environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments, while also supporting WHS duties to minimise exposure to hazardous substances. The document addresses common challenges such as inconsistent product choices between sites, confusion about what “eco-friendly” actually means, and the risk of greenwashing when suppliers make unsubstantiated environmental claims. It provides step-by-step instructions, decision tools and record-keeping requirements so that eco-friendly products are chosen systematically, used correctly, and monitored for performance, cost-effectiveness and user feedback. This creates a defensible, auditable approach that can be referenced in tenders, certifications and sustainability reporting.

Key Benefits

• Standardise how eco-friendly products are selected, approved and used across all sites.
• Reduce environmental impacts by phasing out high-waste, high-toxicity products in favour of safer, more sustainable alternatives.
• Support WHS obligations by prioritising products with lower chemical exposure risks for workers and building occupants.
• Strengthen ESG and sustainability credentials for tenders, certifications and stakeholder reporting.
• Streamline procurement and supplier management by setting clear eco-criteria and product performance expectations.

Who is this for?

• Business Owners
• Operations Managers
• Facilities Managers
• Procurement and Purchasing Officers
• WHS Managers
• Environmental and Sustainability Managers
• Office Managers
• Cleaning and Maintenance Supervisors
• Site Supervisors
• ESG and Corporate Responsibility Managers

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Key Concepts (Eco-Friendly, Ecolabels, Hazardous Chemicals, Sustainable Procurement)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Criteria for Eco-Friendly Product Selection
• 5.0 Approved Product Categories and Examples (Cleaning, Office Supplies, Packaging, Amenities)
• 6.0 Supplier Evaluation and Verification of Environmental Claims
• 7.0 Procurement and Purchasing Procedure
• 8.0 Storage, Handling and Usage Requirements for Eco-Friendly Products
• 9.0 Integration with WHS and Hazardous Chemicals Management
• 10.0 Training, Communication and Change Management
• 11.0 Monitoring, Performance Review and Continuous Improvement
• 12.0 Record Keeping and Documentation Requirements
• 13.0 Non-Conformance, Substitution and Exception Management
• 14.0 References, Legislation and Supporting Standards
• 15.0 Document Control and Review History

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace: Code of Practice
• AS/NZS ISO 14001: Environmental management systems – Requirements with guidance for use
• AS ISO 20400: Sustainable procurement – Guidance
• Australian Consumer Law – provisions relating to environmental and sustainability claims (greenwashing)
• Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN) principles and recognised ecolabels (e.g. GECA, Environmental Choice New Zealand) as applicable in the Australian market