How we rate
A 360-degree Approach to Evaluating a Product
We don’t just look at whether a make-up product is cruelty-free or whether a cleaning product is carbon neutral. We look at multiple data points to understand each product’s impact on ALL the pillars of sustainability – resource use & circularity, health & environmental toxin-free, fair trade practices, animal welfare & greenhouse gas emissions.
We then display this information through Wiser badges & Wiser scores.
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
Though there are numerous certifications available across the world, only certifying bodies that are non-profit, independently funded, with strict certification criteria and those which conduct periodic reviews, make the cut. Some of them are Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), UL Ecologo, MadeSafe, OEKO-TEX & Fair Trade.
Third-Party Organizations
We also assess third-party reports generated by sustainability consultancies, academic research, and other organizations dedicated to environmental responsibility. Some of our sources include B-Corp, Fashion Revolution, Higgs Index & SBTI.
Public Information
We also take into account the public information made available by companies on their own websites and reports. This includes information about brand ethos, social impact projects, environmental practices, product packaging, and more.
To find a list of resources we use, click here.
Our algorithm distills this information into Wiser badges & Wiser Scores to help you get a 360-degree understanding of the product’s environmental impact.
How to Understand Wiser Scores
We rate each product on a scale of 1-10.
7-10
These brands are largely ethical & adhere to the principles of sustainability. They are transparent about their practices & show ongoing improvement.
4-6
These brands are making efforts to be more sustainable, but have quite a way to go.
1-3
These brands do not display any commitment to sustainability and/or are not transparent about their practices.
Wiser Badges
Vegan
Impact Area: Animal Welfare, Greenhouse Gas Emissions
What we look out for
- Lack of animal-based ingredients
- Lowered emissions due to the vegan alternative
Cruelty-Free
Impact Area: Animal Welfare
What we look out for
- No animal testing through the supply chain as verified by a reliable 3rd party organization
Certified Organic
Impact Area: Resource Use & Circularity, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Fair Trade Practices
What we look out for
- Material sustainability with respect to organic production of material
- Verification of organic materials by a reliable 3rd party organization
Toxin-Free
Impact Area: Health & Environmental Toxin-Free, Fair Trade Practices, Animal Welfare
What we look out for
- Health toxins as well as environmental toxins, comparing ingredients with accredited lists.
- The presence of petrochemical-derived ingredients
- Whether a product is verified to be non-GMO
Palm Oil Free
Impact Area: Animal Welfare, Health & Environmental Toxin-Free, Greehouse Gas Emissions
What we look out for
- Presence of palm oil or its derivatives
- Certifications that verify this
- Ingredient checks, if not certified
Petrochemical-Free
Impact Area: Resource Use & Circularity, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Health & Environmental Toxin-Free
What we look out for
- Presence of ingredients or materials made of or derived from petrochemicals.
Low Waste
Impact Area: Resource Use & Circularity, Greenhouse Gas Emissions
What we look out for
- Material sustainability in terms of resource utilization & end of life
- Compostable, recycled, or at the least, recyclable packaging
- Circular disposal options – compostability, recyclability, take-back programs
- Supply chain transparency
Low Carbon
Impact Area: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
What we look out for
- Products that have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by design, materials or ingredients in comparison to their counterparts.
- The brand’s dedication to reducing its carbon footprint and offsetting what cannot be reduced.
Fair Trade
Impact Area: Fair Trade Practices
What we look out for
- Supply chain transparency
- Fair wages & fair working conditions
- Certifications and 3rd party reports that can corroborate the same
Homegrown
Impact Area: Fair Trade Practices, Greenhouse Gas Emissions
What we look out for
Whether the product is made in the USA based on FTC guidelines
Why a 360° approach
While every brand tells us about its own positives, a lot of factors need to be considered before making a purchase. Every product we consume has an impact on the planet, its people, and its animals. At Eco Wiser, we assess the product from a 360-degree lens to help you make better decisions.
A personal care product shouldn’t just be vegan & sulfate-free as commonly advertised, it should also be free of all health & environmental toxins, have fair wage supply chains, be inclusive, take efforts to mitigate their GHG emissions, and more.
The same goes for every product we consume. We realize that doing the research on all aspects of sustainability before making a purchase can be difficult and time-consuming, and this is why – We do the research so you don’t have to.
