Third-Party Verification Systems

Certified Organic
In order to receive the USDA organic label, plant and animal ingredients must be free of chemicals, pesticides, or antibiotics. Processed foods contain 95% purely organic contents

Fair Trade
Transfair USA certified products come from companies that deal directly with workers to ensure fair prices, environmental compliance and a living wage.

Children’s Products
The nonprofit organization, Healthy Child Healthy World, employs a certification method to protect children from unsafe products, foods, materials, and chemicals used in the home.

Consumer products
Green Seal, Ecologo, MBDC, and SMART provide certification is for a broad range of products listed on their websites. These agencies conduct independent testing and assess life cycle and on-site conditions.

Small Business
Co-op America is a nonprofit that provides less robust screening but is a much more affordable option for smaller businesses that can demonstrate commitment to social and environmental responsibility.

Wood And Paper Products
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certifies production with minimal damage to forests and local economies.

Buildings and Building Materials
LEED is the largest national program providing lifecycle assessment. Green Guard provides certification that products are not detrimental to healthy indoor air quality.

Energy Efficiency
Energy Star, a program backed by the EPA and Department Of Energy, rates the energy efficiency of products.

Computers and Monitors
EPEAT uses a system similar to that of Energy Star to certify environmental quality.