Brand Criteria

Free from synthetic pesticides, GMOs, and harsh chemicals. May be verified by USDA Organic, EU Organic, Soil Association, or other regional certifiers.

The United States standard for organic certification. Grown without synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or GMOs, with a focus on clean farming, healthy soil, and biodiversity.

Global Organic Textile Standard. Ensures textiles are made with at least 70% organic fibers, processed without toxic chemicals, and produced under safe, ethical labor conditions.

Tests every component, from fabric to thread to trim, to ensure products are free from harmful substances and safe for skin contact.

Assesses products across five categories: material health, product circularity, clean air and climate protection, water and soil stewardship, and social fairness.

Verifies the responsible use of chemicals and resources in textile production, protecting workers, wearers, and the environment.

Commits one percent of annual sales to vetted environmental nonprofits, turning profits into measurable impact.

Reduces or offsets carbon emissions through clean energy, carbon credits, and efficient operations. May be verified through internal commitments or third-party programs.

Confirms the brand measures, reduces, and offsets its entire carbon footprint annually through credible projects and reduction plans.

Forest Stewardship Council certification ensures paper, wood, and packaging materials come from responsibly managed forests.

Goes beyond organic by actively restoring soil health, improving animal welfare, and supporting farmworker fairness.

Designed to minimize impact by using conscious materials, reduced energy, and thoughtful packaging.

Built to last, prioritizing circular design, low impact production, and long-term environmental responsibility.

Sends nothing to landfill. Focuses on reusables, closed loop systems, and thoughtful end of life planning.

Global Recycled Standard. Verifies recycled content in products and tracks it through the supply chain, from source to final product.

Created from post consumer waste, deadstock, or repurposed materials to give new life to what would otherwise be discarded.

Avoids virgin and single use plastics in products and packaging, opting for glass, metal, paper, or compostable alternatives.

Reduces water use through regenerative agriculture, closed loop dyeing, or low water production techniques.

Goes beyond organic practices, centering on soil health, biodiversity, and regenerative farming.

Breaks down naturally without leaving microplastics, keeping soil and waterways safe.

Made to be easily recycled through standard or specialty programs, with clear labeling and responsible sourcing.

Supports circularity with containers that can be reused, refilled, or returned.

Keeps it simple by using only what is necessary to protect the product and nothing more.

Products and ingredients are never tested on animals. Verified through brand policy, supply chain commitments, or independent organizations.

The gold standard for cruelty-free verification. Guarantees no animal testing at any stage of product development, from ingredients to finished formulas.

Confirms products are free from animal-derived materials like leather, wool, silk, and down, certified through PETA’s vegan verification program.

Recognizes farms with the highest animal welfare standards, focusing on pasture based and humane practices.

Made without animal derived ingredients, choosing innovative alternatives like vegan leather, plant based fibers, and coconut wax.

Protects pollinators through sustainable sourcing and farming practices that avoid harm to bee populations.

Ensures that wool comes from farms that treat sheep humanely and manage their land responsibly.

Verifies that down and feathers are sourced from animals that have not been subjected to unnecessary harm.

An explicit commitment to using no real fur in any products, often verified through the Fur Free Alliance.

Free from chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate that damage coral reefs and marine ecosystems. Common in sunscreen and beauty products.

Manufactured domestically, supporting regional labor laws, shorter supply chains, and lower carbon footprints.

Produced close to the point of sale, reducing emissions while strengthening local economies and small batch artisanship.

Crafted in limited quantities with greater attention to detail, minimizing waste and overproduction.

Operated by individuals or families rather than corporations, often with a strong personal connection to their mission, values, and community.

Offers full transparency from raw material sourcing to final product, ensuring accountability at every step.

Uses materials and manufacturing within a specific area to reduce transportation impact and support local industries.

Items are produced only once ordered, minimizing waste and overstock through intentional production.

Made by skilled artisans using traditional techniques, preserving craftsmanship and supporting maker communities.

Brands that work directly with producers, cutting out middlemen to ensure fairer compensation and stronger relationships.

Intentional production cycles that reject fast fashion timelines, prioritizing quality, longevity, and thoughtful design.

Brands founded or led by women, Black, Indigenous, and people of color, supporting diverse voices in the industry.

Products made without genetically modified organisms, verified through North America’s most trusted non-GMO certification.

Meets the Environmental Working Group’s strict standards for ingredient transparency and safety in personal care and household products.

Screened for known toxins, carcinogens, and harmful chemicals across all product categories, from beauty to baby.

No artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or unnecessary additives. Ingredients you can recognize and trust.

Formulated without industrial seed oils such as canola, soybean, and sunflower oil, prioritizing whole and minimally processed alternatives.

Free from aspartame, sucralose, and other synthetic sweeteners, using natural alternatives instead.

Made with real sugar or natural sweeteners, avoiding highly processed corn syrup in all forms.

Independently tested and certified for safety, quality, and accuracy in labeling by one of the most respected testing organizations.

Meets the Whole30 program’s strict ingredient standards, free from added sugar, grains, dairy, legumes, soy, and artificial ingredients.

Free from parabens, phthalates, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, and other ingredients linked to health concerns.