The table below contains information on certifications and recognition programs for businesses interested in strengthening and showcasing their sustainability efforts. Active third-party certifications and awards in sustainability-related programs may be submitted for consideration as a Green Business Partners Leader, alongside other demonstrated sustainable business practices.
This table is intended to be an informational source and may not include all eligibility or financial requirements. For questions about sustainability programs not included here, please contact OEEC. A certification or current participation in a sustainability program is not required to be a Member, Leader, or Ally of the Green Business Partners Program.
Note: This website contains links to external websites and pages containing information created and maintained by public and private organizations. The inclusion of a link to an external website is not intended as an endorsement of any product or service offered or referenced on the linked website, the organizations sponsoring said website, or any views that might be expressed or referenced in the website. Links to external websites and pages may be removed or replaced at any time without notice.
| Certification or Recognition Program | Sector Focus | Renewal Required | Third Party Certification | Cost | Other Things to Know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B Lab | All sectors | Need to recertify every three years | Includes independent third-party certification administered by B Corp | Application fee ranging from $150 - $900. Annual certification fee of $2000 and up, scaled to company size | Discounts for small, disadvantaged business |
| Certified Naturally Grown | Farmers and Beekeepers | Annual dues and annual peer inspections | Annual on-site peer inspections | Minimum $250 per year for farmers, $300 per year for beekeepers | May tap Grassroots fund for hardship and pay monthly. Equity fund for farmers of color |
| ENERGY STAR-Labeled Buildings | Commercial Buildings | Certification is annual | Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) | Costs based on fees for verification by licensed professionals | Tips for low-cost verifications |
| Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) | Clothing and Textile | Annual inspection and logo fee | Must engage GOTS approved third party certifier at a cost between $1,300 and $3,300 for one facility | Annual fee of $200 per facility inspected and $150 logo license fee per facility | |
| Green American (Gold) | Small Entrepreneurial business | Annual dues | None | From $150 to $2,500 based on number of employees, reduced rates for financial services | |
| Green Key | Hotels and Lodging | Audits Every 3 tears | None | $750 annual membership fee, virtual audits $500, on-site audits $2,500 plus travel expenses | |
| Green Key Global Vendor Program | Hotels and Lodging (Vendors) | None | None | $500 approved vendor and $2,000 preferred vendor | |
| Green Power Partnership | All sectors | Annual reporting | Strongly encouraged to buy certified green power product | None | Minimum 100,000 kWh annual consumption and 7 to 50% green power use. |
| Green Restaurant Association | Restaurants and Cafes | Partial recertification annually and full recertification every 3 years | None | $700-$2000 depending on scale of revenues | |
| Green Seal | Products and Services | Annual monitoring and detailed product surveillance once every three years. | None | Variable on case by case basis | |
| Healthy Green Schools and Colleges | Education | Annual monitoring and detailed surveillance once every three years. | None | Variable on case by case basis | |
| Healthy Green Hotels | Hotels and Lodging | Annual monitoring and detailed surveillance once every three years. | None | Variable on case by case basis | |
| ISO 14001 Certified Environmental Management System | All sectors | Requires annual monitoring and recertification every three years | Accredited third party | Variable by certifier and details of audit | |
| ISO 50001 Certified Energy Management | All Sectors | Requires annual monitoring and recertification every three years | Accredited third party | Variable by certifier and details of audit | For tools and information to help prepare for ISO 50001 go to the U.S. Department of Energy's 50001 Ready Program.t |
| James M. Scott Exceptional Design Awards | All Sectors | None | None | None | |
| Made In Fairfax | Small Entrepreneurial business | None | None | None | |
| Member of Best Workplace for Commuters | All Sectors | Annual subscription fee | None | $275 - $2,000+ based on number of sites | National program supported by Fairfax County. Two-year membership provided to awardees. |
| Fairfax County Environmental Excellence Awards | All sectors | No | None | None | Annual award and recognition |
| USDA National Organic Program | Farmers and Ranchers | Annual renewal fee | Certified USDA accredited certifying agents | Several hundred to several thousand based on certifier, size, and complexity of operations, variable on a case by case basis | USDA may reimburse 75% of fees up to $750 |
| Veriflora® Sustainability Grown | Cut Flower and Plotted Plants | Annual Audits Required | Administered by Scientific Certification Systems(SCS) | $5000 to $30,000 dependent on company headcount and acreage covered | Veriflora incorporating into sustainability grown program |
| Virginia Green (Fully Certified) | Hotels and Lodging, Recreation, Sports Teams and Venues, Wineries and Breweries | Re-certification every two years | None | $75-$250 for full certification |