Clear definitions for the certifications and labels you'll see on ethical products.
Neither the finished product nor its ingredients were tested on animals.
Certifies products designed for circularity — material health, reuse, renewable energy, water and social fairness.
A brand or product whose climate impact is balanced by offsets — credible only with verified, additional offsets.
An economic model where products and materials are reused, repaired, refurbished or recycled — minimizing waste.
A tradable credit representing one tonne of CO₂ reduced, avoided or removed.
The same word can mean radically different things depending on who's using it. 'Natural' has no legal definition; 'organic' has a strict one. Knowing which terms are certified, which are self-declared and which are pure marketing is the fastest way to spot greenwashing.
Not always — 'carbon-neutral', 'plastic-free' and 'biodegradable' can be genuine, but they require the brand to publish methodology and third-party audits. If the claim doesn't link to evidence, treat it as marketing.
Definitions are updated whenever a certifier's standards change, a new label emerges or a term gets legally redefined. Each entry lists its source so you can verify.