Safe Product Certification Guide
When you're purchasing a home product, it's crucial to think about its safety and the materials used. Surprisingly, many products aren't regulated and might contain harmful chemicals.
We all want to keep our families safe from these risky substances, but it's tricky because there isn't a single certification that guarantees a product is entirely non-toxic.
Certification involves testing materials against specific standards to ensure they meet certain criteria. However, there are numerous certifications out there, each with its own focus, such as eco-friendliness or safety. Understanding these differences is key to making informed choices for your family.
Cotton, Textile, Foam & Mattress Certifications
When it comes to textiles, understanding the certifications behind your cotton and fabric products is crucial.
Global Organic Textile Standard
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) is a certification that has been issued to organic products since 1991. It ensures that the manufacturing process is monitored according to strict environmental criteria as well as social and economic standards.
Oeko Tex Standard 100
Oeko-Tex Standard 100 is a certification program that establishes and tests limits for harmful substances and harmful chemicals in textiles, including raw materials.
MADE SAFE
MADE SAFE is a newer certification that screens for ingredients and materials that have no known: behavioral toxins, carcinogens, developmental toxins, endocrine disruptors, flame retardants, GMOs, heavy metals, neurotoxins, high-risk pesticides, reproductive toxins, toxic solvents, or harmful VOCs.
Organic Content Standard
The Organic Content Standard (OCS), led by Textile Exchange, encourages farmers to grow their crops organically and assists companies in proving their organic claims.
Global Organic Latex Standard
GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard) was established by an independent group of experts, certified natural rubber latex suppliers, and leading manufacturers to maintain a uniform standard for the production of all GOLS-certified organic mattress materials made from natural rubber.
CertiPUR-US
CertiPUR-US is an independent testing lab for materials used in the home and children’s products, including memory foam mattresses.
EWG VERIFIED
An EWG VERIFIED® product is certified by the gold standard in the health and wellness space, which is based on scientific studies and steeped in EWG research. At EWG, we believe mattresses should be: Made with transparency, with all ingredients and materials used publicly disclosed.
Certified Vegan
Distributed and recognized globally, the Certified Vegan Logo is a registered trademark for products that do not contain animal products or byproducts and that have not been tested on animals.
Sustainability Certifications
Sustainability certifications are vital in demonstrating a product’s eco-friendly credentials. They cover a range of factors, including energy efficiency, renewable resources, and minimal environmental impact, helping consumers choose products that align with their commitment to environmental stewardship.
Climate-Neutral Certified
Climate Neutral works to reduce worldwide carbon emissions by encouraging businesses to measure, offset, and lower the carbon they produce. They developed a simple set of tools and a certification that makes carbon footprinting more accessible, specifies clear standards for carbon offsetting, and encourages companies to work on reducing emissions directly.
Forest Stewardship Council/ Rainforest Alliance
FSC Certified (Forest Stewardship Council® / Rainforest Alliance) ensures that the wood used is from responsibly managed forests.
Bluesign
Bluesign is a new certification program that helps families and businesses reduce their environmental impact.
The Bluesign system provides both an eco-friendly seal of approval for products and a way to measure your contribution to environmental sustainability.
Green America
Green America certification is an eco-friendly standard that sets the bar for companies seeking to be sustainable.
Health Product Declaration
This not-for-profit member association seeks to improve the transparency of information and material health in buildings, the products that go into the buildings and the environment. The leading open standard for building product content and health information.
THE DECLARE LABEL
Manufacturers voluntarily disclose product information on easy-to-read Declare labels, which are accessible on a free database used by leading designers, real estate owners, and conscientious homeowners to specify products they know they can trust.
Green Seal Certification
Green Seal Certification affirms our dedication to sustainability and the health of our employees and the campus community. It also demonstrates that environmentally responsible services and products can meet or exceed quality expectations and performance.
Air Quality Certifications
Air quality certifications are crucial for products that impact the air we breathe indoors.
These certifications ensure that products like paints, building materials, and home furnishings do not release harmful pollutants, thus maintaining healthy indoor air quality for you and your family.
Greenguard Gold
Greenguard Gold is a third-party certification program, (certified by UL) that creates safety standards for products related to indoor air quality including mattresses, furniture, and upholstery.
eco INSTITUT
The eco-INSTITUT certification tests for VOCs through an emissions test. They test and certify many different products for pollutants and volatile organic compound emissions including flooring, mattresses, bedding, furniture, textiles, and more.