The 2018 Awards Cycle Has Closed

The Safer Choice Partner of the Year awards recognize the leadership contributions of Safer Choice partners and stakeholders who have shown outstanding achievement in the design, manufacture, promotion, and use of Safer Choice-certified products over the past year. Read the Federal Register notice announcing the 2018 awards.

The application period closed on June 27, 2018. Award winners will be announced at a ceremony in late fall of 2018.

Learn more about the 2018 Partner of the Year Awards:

• Award Categories
• Eligibility
• Application Process 101 Webinar
• How to Apply
• Selection Criteria
• More information about the awards

Learn more about previous winners:

• 2017 Partner of the Year Award Winners.
• 2016 Partner of the Year Award Winners.
• 2015 Partner of the Year Award Winners.

Award Categories

EPA will present at least one award in each of these five categories:

• Formulators/product manufacturers of both consumer and institutional/industrial products;
• Purchasers and distributors;
• Retailers;
• Supporters (e.g., non-governmental organizations); and
• Innovators (e.g., chemical manufacturers).

Within these categories, we may give additional awards in the subcategories of "small business" and "sustained excellence."

You may apply in more than one award category, but must complete individual application packages for each.

Eligibility

Any current or past program participants in the Safer Choice program are eligible to apply for the awards. Candidates must complete the application form and have it signed by an appropriate company or organization official (e.g., CEO, vice president for governmental affairs, division head, or other authorized signatory).

Application Process 101 Webinar

Watch the Application Process 101 webinar for award applicants for tips on how to apply and a discussion of how the applications are scored.

How to Apply

The application period for the 2018 Partner of the Year Awards closed on June 27, 2018. The application materials are available for reference.

Selection Criteria

For the 2018 awards, we will recognize program participants who have demonstrated leadership in:

• furthering safer chemistry and products throughout the past year; and
• promoting the Safer Choice label.

Program participants that submit complete applications will be evaluated against the following five criteria:

1. Participation in the Safer Choice program
2. Use of the Safer Choice label
3. Promotion and use of products using the Safer Choice label
4. Outreach and education on the Safer Choice program to consumers and end-users
5. Innovations in safer chemistry and other efforts to advance the Safer Choice program

Responses will be weighted and points assigned based on the applicant/award category. The full evaluation criteria are described in the application form.

More Information About the Awards

For more information on the Partner of the Year Awards, please contact Linda Rutsch (rutsch.linda@epa.gov or 202-343-9924).