How We Rate

Every product we consume has an impact

A 360-degree approach to Evaluating products and brands

While every brand tells us about its own positives, a lot of factors need to be considered before making a purchase. 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.

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

Only top brands make it to this category! These brands show leadership (or go above and beyond) checking all the boxes under our rating parameters. All claims around their practices are backed by certifications.

Brands in this category are mostly transparent around its supply chain operations and generally leaders or making great progress in the sustainability and worker wellbeing category under our rating parameters.

Brands in this category are somewhat transparent and are making progress in one or more category under our rating parameters.

Brands in this category do not address the impacts of their operations across the supply chain and disclose only some information. Generally, they are lacking in more than one category under Ecowiser’s rating parameters and need to put in major work to improve.

Wiser Scores

7-10

Score

These brands are largely ethical & adhere to the principles of sustainability. They are transparent about their practices & show ongoing improvement.

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

Our researchers rigorously evaluate brand sustainability practices and review parameters, such as: environmental sustainability, worker wellbeing, animal welfare, and philanthropy.

Promotes Circularity
Sustainable Packaging
Sustainable Materials
Low Waste
Offsets Carbon

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
Ethical Labour

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
Non GMO
Certified Natural

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
Cruelty Free
Responsibly Sourced

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

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