In order to be a Certified B Corporation, companies must achieve a qualifying score by addressing a long list of criteria that range from protecting the environment, paid maternity/paternity leave, corporate board and governance structure, employee diversity and inclusion, protecting public health through healthy products and so much more.
If you want to look for one certification that is the most comprehensive indicator of if that brand is forward thinking, good to the planet, people, it’s employees and community, then look for Certified B Corporations. VISIT : https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/certification
Beauty Without Bunnies is PETA’s (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) certification for non-animal testing. VISIT : https://www.peta.org/living/personal-care-fashion/beauty-without-bunnies/
This is the most comprehensive and stringent vegan certification in the marketplace. The bar is high though. In fact, this certification not only addresses animal and insect products (like beeswax), it also takes on animal testing and materials used in the processing of ingredients. VISIT : https://vegan.org/certification/
While this isn’t a formal certification, it is a great third party validation of how a company uses and screens chemicals for safety. The Chemical Footprint Project is a comprehensive survey that companies can take to rank and verify how well they screen ingredients for safety, share ingredients and materials transparently, and openly advocate for policies that protect people and more. VISIT : https://chemicalfootprint.org
This certification is less popular in the beauty industry, but still important to know about. According to their website, The Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product Standard “guides designers and manufacturers through a continual improvement process that looks at a product through five quality categories — material health, material reutilization, renewable energy and carbon management, water stewardship, and social fairness. A product receives an achievement level in each category — Basic, Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum — with the lowest achievement level representing the product’s overall mark.” VISIT: https://c2ccertified.org
This is a natural organic ingredient and sustainability-focused certification, rather than one that is focused on verifying the product is safe. The Ecocert label means that 95% of the ingredients must come from a natural and organic origin, products cannot contain a certain ingredients of concern (like parabens), and it also requires biodegradable or recyclable packaging. VISIT: https://www.ecocert.com/en-US/home
Brought to you from the Environmental Working Group (EWG), this is the first third-party certification showing that the ingredients used in a product are not toxic or harmful to human health. EWG Verified is a comprehensive assessment of ingredients based on the best scientific literature. Simply put: you can rest easy if you see that product has the EWG Verified logo. Think about this as the most stringent version of the EWG Skin Deep database “best” ranked products. VISIT : https://www.ewg.org/ewgverified/
The Good Face Project is on a mission to make cosmetic ingredient transparency a standard for the beauty industry. They think it's time for all of us as consumers to demand safer and more efficacious products. Brands who value your health apply for a Good Face Project Approved seal and comply with their high standards of safety.
VISIT: https://www.thegoodfaceproject.com
1,500+ toxic chemicals which impact long-term health and the environment are banned from cosmetics in the European Union and Canada, but still present in the majority of personal care products Americans use today. The Good Face Index enables you to shop having the latest ingredient information. They downgrade products which contain one or more GFI Forbidden Toxins
FSC Certified paper means that the wood used to create the paper was properly harvested, avoiding old growth forests and harmful pesticides and chemicals. If companies are using paper packaging or marketing materials, look for this logo to know they are responsibly sourcing their paper! VISIT: https://fsc.org/en
Leaping Bunny is the most widely recognized, respected, and popular certification that enables companies to show that they do not test their products or their ingredients on animals. The certification ensures that the manufacturing partners do not test on animals as well. VISIT : https://www.leapingbunny.org
Another great certification, you can feel confident knowing that the ingredients are safe and vetted if the product is MADE SAFE certified. The certification uses credible science to make determinations about ingredient safety and goes a step beyond to conduct product testing. The bonus for MADE SAFE is they certify many different types of products —not just beauty/personal care— including crib mattresses and changing pags, toys, and other products! VISIT: https://madesafe.org
If you want to ensure that no ingredients in your personal care products have been genetically modified, keep an eye out for the the Non-GMO Project label.
The Non-GMO Project is a mission-driven nonprofit organization offering rigorous product verification and trustworthy education that empowers people to care for themselves, the planet, and future generations.
Everyone has a right to know what is in their food and deserves access to non-GMO choices.
By voting with our dollars every time we shop, collectively, we have the power to change how our food is grown and made.
Preserving and building the non-GMO supply chain is a critical step in transitioning toward a non-GMO food supply for future generations.
The integrity of our diverse genetic inheritance is essential to environmental health and ecological harmony.
A verified non-GMO system supports organic and regenerative agriculture by reducing contamination pressure and protecting the supply of non-GMO seed. VISIT: https://www.nongmoproject.org/about/
How to Become Certified Organic
Certifiers are responsible for making sure that USDA organic products meet all organic standards. There are five basic steps to organic certification:
- The farm or business adopts organic practices, selects a USDA-accredited certifying agent, and submits an application and fees to the certifying agent.
- The certifying agent reviews the application to verify that practices comply with USDA organic regulations.
- An inspector conducts an on-site inspection of the applicant’s operation.
- The certifying agent reviews the application and the inspector’s report to determine if the applicant complies with the USDA organic regulations.
- The certifying agent issues organic certificate.
To maintain organic certification, your certified organic farm or business will go through an annual review and inspection process. If your operation is not located in the U.S., see our International Trade page to learn about your options for organic certification. VISIT: https://www.usda.gov/topics/organic