{"id":947,"date":"2025-04-22T13:32:18","date_gmt":"2025-04-22T20:32:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thegoodtrade.com\/sustainable-certifications-and-standards\/"},"modified":"2025-09-05T13:26:19","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T20:26:19","slug":"sustainable-certifications-and-standards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thegoodtrade.com\/features\/sustainable-certifications-and-standards\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Complete Guide To Sustainability Certifications"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

During a recent trip to Target, I found myself in the personal care section (as one does), and I couldn\u2019t believe how many \u201cclean\u201d and \u201cethical\u201d beauty products were on the shelves. From vegan hair dye to organic makeup<\/a> \u2014 it was as if the big-box store had suddenly turned into a responsible marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cWithout specifics or certifications, it was impossible to decipher whether a brand was truly sustainable or simply \u2018greenwashing.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Yet, upon closer inspection, I noticed a lot of the labels weren\u2019t exactly transparent. While the products were advertised to include \u201corganic ingredients\u201d or boasted \u201crecycled packaging,\u201d there wasn\u2019t much more information than that. Without specifics or certifications, it was impossible to decipher whether a brand was truly sustainable or simply \u201cgreenwashing<\/a>\u201d \u2014 a practice in which companies advertise themselves as more environmentally friendly than they actually are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part of the problem is that there is no regulatory definition or universally agreed-upon standard for these claims, explains Cara Bondi, VP of Product Development and Regulatory at Ursa Major Skincare<\/a>, a certified B Corp<\/a>. \u201cFor example, sustainability may mean biodegradability and plant-derived ingredients to one company, but responsibly sourced palm oil and recyclable packaging to another.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, there are no rules when it comes to vague ingredients, sustainability, and\/or ethics claims. Without government regulation, brands can advertise themselves as \u201cnontoxic\u201d or \u201ceco-friendly\u201d based on their own standards; it\u2019s all subjective. And, as Bondi notes, it leaves us wondering if these claims are meaningful at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is where sustainability and ethics certifications from third-party organizations can be helpful. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThird-party verification is necessary to build trust with customers, but also to build a baseline for the industry,\u201d explains Mike Cangi, Co-Founder of United By Blue<\/a>, a sustainable outdoor apparel brand and certified B Corp. \u201cThere are [\u2026] so many components to sustainability and social good that it\u2019s really easy to spin anything and greenwash things [\u2026] but third-party verification helps build confidence with the customer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRather than having to navigate all of the individual definitions of sustainability and ethics, certifications are managed by a neutral third party and hold everything to the same standard,\u201d Bondi adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cCertifications can be an extremely helpful starting point, and they can help sift out the most obvious greenwashers.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

While certifications aren\u2019t a fool-proof solution, and they present their own set of challenges \u2014 third parties set their own standards, including how they choose to vet and audit brands \u2014 certifications can be an extremely helpful starting point, and they can help sift out the most obvious greenwashers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Danielle Jezienicki, Director of Sustainability at Grove Collaborative<\/a>, a certified B Corp offering natural household and personal care products, \u201cConsumers are becoming increasingly aware of how their choices in products can impact them and the world around them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And \u201cin an age where purpose-driven brands are taking center stage in the CPG (consumer packaged goods) industry, [\u2026] consumers deserve to be provided with the relevant information that helps them make the healthiest choices for their families and the environment. Certifications are essential to this mission,\u201d says Jezienicki.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cConsumers are becoming increasingly aware of how their choices in products can impact them and the world around them.\u201d<\/p>\n\u2014 Danielle Jezienicki, Director of Sustainability, Grove Collaborative<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

One caveat to keep in mind as you shop for products is that not all sustainable and ethical brands can afford to apply for costly certifications. Some cost upwards of $25k a year and, for small and locally owned brands, this is an impossible expense. At the end of the day, it\u2019s always best to reach out to companies and talk with a human \u2014 especially when shopping small. Chat with the business owner and ask about their production methods and where they source their materials for full transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following list of sustainable labels and certifications is simply a starting point and resource to better understand some of the most prominent certifications out there. If you\u2019re more curious about \u201corganic\u201d labels, read our deep dive on organic certification<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, remember that sustainability is a moving target, and this is true for certifications as well. No label or certification is perfect, and the industry is always evolving. Ultimately, it\u2019s up to us as consumers to learn and hold brands accountable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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8 Sustainability & Ethics Certifications To Know<\/h2>\n\n\n\n