How We Rate
A 360-degree approach to Evaluating products and brands
Where We Get Our Information From
Our algorithm looks at multiple data points at both the product level and company level from across certifications, third-party resources & company reports.
Certifications
Specifically from non-profit certifying bodies with stringent criteria and independent funding.
Third-Party Organizations
Gathering insights from reports produced by sustainability consultancies, academic research institutions, and other entities committed to sustainability.
Public Information
We also take into account the public information made available by brands on their own websites and reports.
Wiser Medals & Scores
Our algorithm distills this information into Wiser medals & Wiser Scores to help you get a 360-degree understanding of the product’s environmental impact.
Wiser Medals
Wiser Scores
7-10
Score
4-6
Score
These brands are making efforts to be more sustainable, but have quite a way to go.
1-3
Score
These brands do not display any commitment to sustainability and/or are not transparent about their practices.
Brand Assessment
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EnvironmentEnvironment
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Worker WellbeingWorker Wellbeing
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Healthy LivingHealthy Living
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Animal WelfareAnimal Welfare
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Clean FormulationClean Formulation
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PhilanthropyPhilanthropy
Promotes Circularity
The brand promotes circularity by creating products from recycled materials or via resale programs, offering repair services, or recycling items at end-of-life.
Badge Qualification Prerequisites
- Certifications: Global Recycled Standard (GRS); Recycled Claim Standard (RCS 100)
- Public disclosure on brand website of resale program, repair service offering, or recycling initiative, how they work, and details on contributions made by the brand.
Sustainable Development Goals
Through achieving this badge, brands demonstrate contribution towards the following goals:
Sustainable Packaging
A high proportion of product(s) are made using recycled or environmentally-friendly materials.
Badge Qualification Prerequisites
- Certifications: Global Recycled Standard (GRS); Recycled Claim Standard (RCS 100); Organic Content Standard (OCS); Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS); Cradle to Cradle Certified (C2C); Forest Stewardship Council (FSC); Program for Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes (PEFC); Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA); ZQ Merino; Responsible Wool Standard (RWS); Leather Working Group (LWG)
- Product is made from using TENCEL™ fibers/technology, such as Lyocell/Modal/REFIBRA™
- Product is made using LENZING™ fibers, such as ECOVERO™
Sustainable Development Goals
Through achieving this badge, brands demonstrate contribution towards the following goals:
Sustainable Materials
The product packaging is made using environmentally conscious materials and in its design, production, and disposal, all aimed at minimizing its ecological impact.
Badge Qualification Prerequisites
- Certifications: Forest Stewardship Council (FSC); Program for Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes (PEFC); Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI); OK Compost Home (TUV Austria).
- The brand website publicly discloses that its product packaging is devoid of plastic or PLA and is instead crafted from 100% compostable paper and cardboard materials or is completely free of any packaging materials.
Sustainable Development Goals
Through achieving this badge, brands demonstrate contribution towards the following goals:
Low Waste
The brand minimizes the generation of waste and aims to reduce environmental impact.
Badge Qualification Prerequisites
- Material Processing/Chemical Control Certifications: Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Bluesign, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, OEKO-TEX® DETOX TO ZERO, Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC), Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), Responsible Care.
- Low Waste Packaging Certifications: ASTM D6400, Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI); OK Compost Industrial (TUV Austria); European Standard EN 13432/ Seedling.
- To recycle plastic packaging/ (other items), the brand has an inhouse take back/recycling program or partners with waste recycling companies, such as TerraCycle, Pact Collective Recycling, etc.
Sustainable Development Goals
Through achieving this badge, brands demonstrate contribution towards the following goals:
Offsets Carbon
The brand is certified by a globally-recognized standard for carbon accountability/ offsetting, and the amount of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe) it releases into the atmosphere from its activities are balanced by equivalent amount or more GHGe being removed from the atmosphere.
Badge Qualification Prerequisites
- Certifications: Climate Neutral Certified; Carbon Trust’s Carbon Neutral Certified; Carbon Fund’s Carbon Free Certified; Climate Partner’s Climate Neutral Certified; SCS Carbon Neutral Certified
Sustainable Development Goals
Through achieving this badge, brands demonstrate contribution towards the following goals:
Fair Trade
The product is certified fair trade and has been verified by a certification body to meet standards.
Badge Qualification Prerequisites
- Certifications: Fair Trade International (FLO); Fair Trade USA; Fair for Life; Naturland Fair; Fair Trade Proof; FLOCERT
Sustainable Development Goals
Through achieving this badge, brands demonstrate contribution towards the following goals:
Ethical Labour
The brand practices fair, humane, and socially responsible employment practices that prioritize workers’ rights, well-being, and dignity.
Badge Qualification Prerequisites
- Certifications: Social Accountability International (SA8000); Fair Trade/FLOCERT; Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS); SMETA/SEDEX (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit); Fair Wear Foundation (FWF); Worldwide Responsible Apparel Production (WRAP); Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI)
Sustainable Development Goals
Through achieving this badge, brands demonstrate contribution towards the following goals:
Certified Organic
The brand or product is certified organic and has been verified by a certification body to meet standards.
Badge Qualification Prerequisites
- Certifications: Organic Content Standard (OCS); Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS); USDA Organic; Canada Organic (Biologique Canada); EU Organic Label; ACO Certified Organic; ECOCERT COSMOS Organic; NSF/ANSI 305 Organic; Soil Association Organic; NATRUE; Quality Assurance International (QAI)
Non GMO
The brand or product is certified organic or certified as having no genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Badge Qualification Prerequisites
- Certifications: USDA Organic; Canada Organic (Biologique Canada); EU Organic Label; ACO Certified Organic; NSF/ANSI 305 Organic; Soil Association Organic; Quality Assurance International (QAI)
Certified Natural
The product is certified natural and has been verified by a certification body to meet standards.
Badge Qualification Prerequisites
- Certifications: BDIH Certified Natural; USDA Certified Biobased Product; COSMOS Natural; Natural Products Association Certified
Sustainable Development Goals
Through achieving this badge, brands demonstrate contribution towards the following goals:
Vegan
Product has no animal-derived ingredients.
Badge Qualification Prerequisites
- Public disclosure on brand website/product packaging communicating that the product or range is 100% vegan.
- Certifications: PETA-Approved Vegan; Vegan Action; Vegan Society.
- Ingredient checks for animal-derived ingredients, if not certified.
Sustainable Development Goals
Through achieving this badge, brands demonstrate contribution towards the following goals:
Cruelty Free
The brand and its suppliers adhere to cruelty-free principles, ensuring that no testing on animals is conducted for any of their products, ingredients, or components.
Badge Qualification Prerequisites
- Public disclosure on brand website/product packaging communicating that the brand is cruelty-free.
- Certifications: Leaping Bunny; PETA Beauty Without Bunnies.
Sustainable Development Goals
Through achieving this badge, brands demonstrate contribution towards the following goals:
Responsibly Sourced
The brand’s animal-derived ingredients are certified responsibly sourced ensuring humane treatment and responsible management of animals.
Badge Qualification Prerequisites
- Certifications: Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS); Responsible Wool Standard (RWS); Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA); ZQ-Certified Wool.
Sustainable Development Goals
Through achieving this badge, brands demonstrate contribution towards the following goals:
Non Toxic
Product is free from harmful and toxic substances that could pose risks to human health or the environment.
Badge Qualification Prerequisites
- Certifications/Standards: Environmental Working Group (EWG) Verified; Made Safe Certified
Sustainable Development Goals
Through achieving this badge, brands demonstrate contribution towards the following goals:
Palm Oil Free
Product is certified palm oil free or has no palm-oil derived ingredients in its ingredients list.
Badge Qualification Prerequisites
- Certifications: The Orangutan Alliance International Palm Oil Free.
- Ingredient checks, if not certified.
Sustainable Development Goals
Through achieving this badge, brands demonstrate contribution towards the following goals:
Petrochemical Free
Product has no petrochemical derived ingredients in its ingredients list.
Badge Qualification Prerequisites
- Ingredient checks for petrochemical-derived ingredients.
Sustainable Development Goals
Through achieving this badge, brands demonstrate contribution towards the following goals:
Paraben Free
Product has no parabens, a group of chemicals widely used as artificial preservatives.
Badge Qualification Prerequisites
- Ingredient checks for parabens.
Sustainable Development Goals
Through achieving this badge, brands demonstrate contribution towards the following goals:
Sulfate Free
Product has no harsh cleansing agents.
Badge Qualification Prerequisites
- Ingredient checks for sulfates.
Sustainable Development Goals
Through achieving this badge, brands demonstrate contribution towards the following goals:
Fragrance Free
Product is unscented and has no synthetic/natural fragrances in the ingredients list.
Badge Qualification Prerequisites
- Ingredient checks for fragrances.
Sustainable Development Goals
Through achieving this badge, brands demonstrate contribution towards the following goals:
Phthalate Free
Product has no artificial fragrance additives.
Badge Qualification Prerequisites
- Ingredient checks for phthalates.
Sustainable Development Goals
Through achieving this badge, brands demonstrate contribution towards the following goals:
Gives Back
Brand gives back to people or the planet.
Badge Qualification Prerequisites
- Certifications: 1% for the Planet; Climate Neutral Certified; Carbon Trust’s Carbon Neutral Certified; Carbon Fund’s Carbon Free Certified; Climate Partner’s Climate Neutral Certified; SCS Carbon Neutral Certified;
- If not certified, the brand publicly discloses on its website that it has initiatives that support:
- Educational programs committed to the wellbeing of people/planet
- Traditional artisan skills/knowledge
- Underprivileged communities
- Environmental/ecological restoration projects
- Climate Action
