About Store Certification

• GreenChill Certification
• How to Apply for Certification
• Application Process
• New Eligibility Criteria in 2025
• Store Certification Document Library

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Any food retail store - whether the store is existing, newly constructed, or remodeled - can apply for GreenChill Store Certification. There is no fee to apply.

GreenChill Certification

The U.S. EPA’s GreenChill Program recognizes individual food retail stores’ achievements in environmentally friendlier refrigeration through its Store Certification Program. Stores earn certification by achieving specific environmental performance criteria that go above and beyond federal requirements. Any food retail store (e.g., supermarkets, grocery stores, cooperatives, supercenters, and wholesale clubs) in the United States can apply.

There are many benefits to participating in the GreenChill Store Certification Program, including:

• Protect the Environment, Save Money. A typical food retail store’s refrigeration system leaks about one quarter of its refrigerant charge each year, which can impact a store’s financial outlook, contribute to climate change, and harm the ozone layer. GreenChill Certified Stores go above and beyond federal requirements to address these environmental concerns while reducing refrigerant and maintenance costs.
• Earn Publicity. GreenChill recognizes Certified Stores during an annual recognition event, shares information on Certified Stores on the GreenChill website and social media platforms, and provides materials to help stores promote their environmental achievements.
• Demonstrate Commitment to Sustainability. Today’s customers want to do business with stores that share their values. Achieving GreenChill Store Certification for your store provides recognition of your company’s leadership in and commitment to environmental protection.

How to Apply for Certification

Any food retail store in the United States can apply for GreenChill Store Certification, whether the store is newly constructed, fully operational, or remodeled. To apply for certification, a store must fill in the Store Certification Application Workbook with the store’s type and amount of refrigerants, refrigeration loads, refrigerant emissions, and technologies. All newly constructed stores must be leak tested at installation according to the standards in GreenChill Installation Leak Tightness Guidelines. Once a store has submitted its application, EPA will review the information to confirm and issue certification. GreenChill Certification is valid for one year. After one year, stores must reapply to retain GreenChill Certification. GreenChill certification may be re-earned annually, as long as a store meets the certification criteria on an annual basis. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. There is no fee to apply. 

Application Process

The GreenChill Store Certification application process follows four steps.