FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Ecolab Science Certified program and seal?

The Ecolab Science Certified program is a comprehensive, science-based public health and food safety program that helps businesses including hotels, restaurants and grocery stores advance cleaner, safer practices to achieve a higher level of cleanliness. Businesses that commit to these rigorous standards and periodic audits earn the Ecolab Science Certified seal, giving you confidence in your choice.

This comprehensive program leverages insights from Ecolab’s over 100 years of experience helping keep hospitals clean, as well as partnerships with some of the world’s largest hospitality and foodservice brands. The program includes science-based protocols and products, including solutions like hospital disinfectants and food-contact sanitizers proven effective against known and emerging pathogens. In addition to these advanced products, the program includes the latest public health and food safety training and periodic audits that help verify protocols are being followed.

The Ecolab Science Certified seal, available only after meeting rigorous program criteria, signifies participation in the program and the business’s commitment to delivering a higher level of cleanliness. The Ecolab Science Certified program addresses consumer expectations for cleaning, disinfecting and food safety so we can celebrate moments together at the places we eat, stay, shop, work, learn and play.

What makes the Ecolab Science Certified program different?

Through our experience working with the some of the world’s biggest hospitality, foodservice and food retail brands to help ensure food safety and protect public health, Ecolab is uniquely qualified to deliver a program that advances cleaner, safer practices. The Ecolab Science Certified program is a comprehensive approach that goes beyond products and helps drive operations forward and build guest loyalty.

The Ecolab Science Certified program offers a comprehensive system that promotes four key elements that helps businesses earn a 5-star reputation and give you confidence:

  • Creating clean with solutions like hospital disinfectants, food-contact sanitizers and cleaning and disinfecting protocols
  • Checking clean through rigorous training and periodic auditing performed by highly-trained Ecolab specialists focused on public health and food safety
  • Seeing clean in action through front-of-house procedures
  • Believing clean through a visible sign of participation with the Ecolab Science Certified seal displayed on business storefronts

The Ecolab Science Certified program is backed by insights from our global team of scientists and our experienced Ecolab field team – who are experts in advancing practices and protocols to achieve a higher level of cleanliness in the locations you frequent. The program’s rigorous training and auditing for front-line hospitality and foodservice employees helps verify effective cleaning and disinfecting practices are being implemented.

Where should companies go for more information?

For more information about Ecolab, or to get in touch, please visit www.ecolab.com/sciencecertified.

What is a science-based solution?

Science and innovation are at the center of everything Ecolab does, from our 9,700+ patents and dedicated team of more than 1,200 scientists, engineers and technical specialists, to our 16 global centers of technology and innovation.

The Ecolab Science Certified program was developed by our scientists and public health and food safety experts to help businesses address consumer expectations for cleaning and food safety. For over 100 years, Ecolab has used science to become a global leader in cleaning and disinfecting commercial environments – through cleaning products like hospital disinfectants and food-contact sanitizers, solutions that address the most common sources of infection transmission and protocols informed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. Additionally, our rigorous training curriculum uses research and insights from experience in our customer environments to help reduce the potential for human error through our in-depth auditing process.

What qualifies a business to display the Ecolab Science Certified seal?

To be part of the program and earn the Ecolab Science Certified seal, businesses must:

  • Use the designated suite of products, including solutions like hospital disinfectants, food-contact sanitizers and other cleaning products
  • Follow standardized cleaning, hygiene and food safety protocols and procedures informed by the Health Canada guidelines
  • Require employees complete comprehensive public health and food safety training to help reduce the potential for human error in following protocols and applying products correctly and consistently
  • Pass periodic audits that review state and federal requirements and help verify correct product and equipment usage, completion of training modules, adherence to elevated protocols and documentation of corrective actions

If a partner does not meet these requirements, Ecolab will provide on-site support and take action to help them resolve any gaps in their program.

What businesses are currently participating in the program?

Our partners include restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, commercial facilities and sports and entertainment venues that are committed to advancing cleaner, safer practices. Check out our Partner page to see the latest list of locations that have earned the Ecolab Science Certified seal.

Is the Ecolab Science Certified program only for COVID-19?
No. The components of this program are designed to help deliver a higher level of cleanliness, public health and food safety in addition to helping combat pandemics such as COVID-19 and other common bacteria and viruses. Additionally, the program is grounded in Ecolab’s long history of studying emerging pathogens and developing science-based solutions to help address known and unknown food safety and public health challenges.
Will the Ecolab Science Certified program be an extension of the initiatives already introduced by some hotels and restaurants?

The Ecolab Science Certified program is complementary to other programs and an ideal solution to help businesses exceed consumer expectations for cleaning and food safety. Because it is a comprehensive program, Ecolab Science Certified has the added benefits of disinfecting solutions, including hospital disinfectants, in-depth training and comprehensive audits performed by an Ecolab food safety and public health specialist – all developed by a company with over a century of cleaning and public health expertise.

Businesses that already partner with Ecolab, including those with their own proprietary standards and program seals, can earn the Ecolab Science Certified seal by incorporating the products, protocols and training into their existing programs, and passing periodic audits performed by highly-trained Ecolab specialists.