reference guide
Certification Labels
Third-party certifications are based on defined standards and independent verification, not marketing budgets. Here is what each one means.
Food
Textiles
Personal Care
Home
Water
Food
USDA Organic
Restricts synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and GMOs. Verified by accredited third-party certifiers under federal NOP standards.
What it covers
›
Personal Care
EWG Verified
Products carrying the EWG Verified mark meet ingredient transparency requirements and avoid substances flagged by the Environmental Working Group.
What it covers
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Food
Fair Trade Certified
Focuses on sustainable farming practices that protect ecosystems, biodiversity, and worker conditions while promoting responsible agricultural production.
What it covers
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Textiles
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)
Certifies textiles made from organic fibers and restricts the use of many hazardous chemicals during textile processing, dyeing, and manufacturing.
What it covers
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Home
UL GREENGUARD
Indicates that a product has been tested for chemical emissions that can affect indoor air quality, commonly applied to furniture, building materials, and electronics.
What it covers
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Personal Care
Leaping Bunny
Certifies that a product and its ingredients were not tested on animals at any stage of development by the company or its suppliers.
What it covers
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Food
Non-GMO Project Verified
Indicates that a product has been independently verified to avoid genetically modified ingredients and meet testing standards for GMO contamination within the supply chain.
What it covers
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Water
NSF Certified
NSF certification indicates that a product has been independently tested to meet safety or performance standards related to drinking water systems, food equipment, and material safety.
What it covers
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Textiles
OEKO-TEX
Tests finished textile products for a wide range of harmful substances, helping ensure fabrics that come into contact with skin meet chemical safety thresholds.
What it covers
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Food
Rainforest Alliance
Promotes sustainable farming practices that protect forests, biodiversity, and worker welfare while encouraging responsible agricultural production.
What it covers
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Food
Glyphosate Residue Free
Tests finished food products for glyphosate residues using third-party laboratory analysis. Measures what is detected in the product, not farming practices.
What it covers
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HOW TO READ LABELS
Certifications vs Marketing Claims
Third-party Certified
USDA Organic
Non-GMO Project
Fair Trade
GOTS
EWG Verified
Leaping Bunny
UL GREENGUARD
OEKO-TEX
Marketing Claims – No Standard
Natural
Clean
Non-toxic
Green
Sustainable
Eco-friendly
Grass-fed
No formal definition, no third-party verification, no oversight body. Any brand can use these terms on any product.