A detailed explanation of refillable product(s) and refill system.

Brands can provide links to refillable products or visual evidence of their in-store refill system. 

The brand manufactures or sells (at least one) refillable products alongside an accessible way to refill them, or has set up and operates a refill system.

A brand or store can enable customers to refill their own containers by selling refillable products.

Refillable Products

The brand operates a refill system or provides (at least one) refillable product(s) alongside an accessible way to refill these, designed to reduce the production and use of single-use plastics and other resources.

Clean Planet

Cruelty-free certification from a reputable third party such as Leaping Bunny by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC) or PETA's Beauty Without Bunnies.

The brand is certified as cruelty-free by a reputable third party, demonstrating a commitment on behalf of the brand and its suppliers to not test ingredients, formulations or products on animals.

Cruelty Free

The brand and its suppliers abide by cruelty-free principles, meaning they ensure that no products, ingredients or components are ever tested on animals.

Protecting Biodiversity and Animal Welfare

To verify your materials' recyclability and/or compostability through our partner 

please use this link to book a quick call 

with Scrapp's friendly team who will guide you through the process. Please do this now and add a text proof to confirm that you have reserved a time.

Certification or documentation from a relevant organisation to demonstrate compliance with standards set out in EN 13432.

Data on compostability and material details can be provided through ethy’s partner Scrapp. Scrapp and ethy have worked together on 

. Scrapp provides insights to brands on the recyclability and compostability of their products and packaging based on material details. Brands can participate in 

 to get their materials checked and verified through Scrapp’s simple process. Scrapp will share the data with ethy directly if agreed by the brand, in line with Scrapp's terms of use as well as 

Substantial percentage (51%+) of a brand's packaging must meet the industrially compostable criteria.

Materials undergo at least 90% biodegradation within 6 months in an industrial facility in the presence of oxygen, microorganisms and high temperatures (50–60°C).

Industrially Compostable Range

The brand manufactures or sells products or packaging that are industrially compostable, meaning these materials will degrade in an industrial compost environment.

Documented evidence of how the brand empowers employees to live more sustainably.

The brand has implemented a minimum of three of the below policies to empower employees to live and work more sustainably:

Support employees to choose active and low-carbon travel.

Flexible work from home options for employees.

Implement and promotes a plant-based, healthy food policy.

Review estate landscapes to improve spaces for employees and clients.

Employees are trained about climate action and environmental policies.

Employees are empowered to reduce carbon and resource use.

Climate responsibility is written into employee job descriptions.

Employees are encouraged to bring ideas about sustainability to management.

Offers a cycle to work scheme for employees

One person / self-employed businesses are excluded.

Empowered Employees

The brand takes action to empower its employees to be happier, healthier and live more sustainably.

Thriving Communities

Visual or documented evidence of water-efficient mechanisms and processes.

Links to products or services that are designed to ensure water efficiency.

The brand has implemented a minimum of two of the below policies to minimise the wastage of water:

Installation of low-flow taps and systems.

Captures & recycles greywater in manufacturing systems.

Redesigned products or services to be more water efficient.

Other innovative actions, initiatives or processes - please provide detail.

Water Efficient

The brand is taking measurable steps to reduce the amount of water used and wasted.

Responsible Resource Usage and Production

Certification or documentation from a relevant organisation to demonstrate compliance with the above standard. E.g. OK compost HOME; Europe: prEN 17427 (2020) - Packaging.

Substantial percentage ( 51%+) of a brand's packaging or products must meet the home compostable criteria.

Home compostable materials undergo 90% degradation after 12 months at ambient temperature, in the presence of microorganisms and oxygen, in a domestic composting unit (excludes 

Home Compostable Range

The brand manufactures or sells products or packaging that are home compostable, meaning these materials will compost into soil at lower temperatures. Therefore these products or packaging are suitable for the compost heap at people’s homes.

to collate and provide all the information required in one document. 

Confirmation that vegan products (including the production process) make up a minimum of 30% of the brand’s offering / product range.

Existing and current vegan certification from a reputable certification body such as The Vegan Society, Vegetarian Society, V-Label.

Description of the clear labelling plan or strategy. Where will the labels be displayed for consumers for clear signposting? Timeline: when will these labels be displayed?

Full list of all products with ingredients, components and/or materials used, indicating which products from the range are vegan. 

Confirmation that at least 30% of trips or experiences provide a vegan option.

List of all trips or experiences that offer a vegan alternative with information on the vegan choices to illustrate how the experience is aiming to match the quality of the non-vegan equivalent.

Vegan products must make up a minimum of 30% of the brand’s offering / product range.

Products specified as vegan are free from ingredients derived from animals – including honey, collagen, albumen, carmine, cholesterol and gelatin, keratin, lanolin, silk protein and beeswax and animal glycerol (also called glycerin, glycerine, etc.) 

The brand clearly labels which products are vegan. This can be done after receiving ethy verification and using the ecolabel to provide clear signposting for consumers.

The brand has not already received ethy's 100% Vegan ecolabel.

For travel, events or other experience-based brands, including restaurants, at least 30% of trips, events or experiences provide a vegan alternative. This will need to be a fully vegan version of the equivalent experience and within reason aim to match the quality of the non-vegan option.

The brand clearly labels which experiences have vegan options. This can be done after receiving ethy verification and using the ecolabel to provide clear signposting for consumers.

Vegan Range

The brand offers a range of 100% vegan products or experiences. Products specified as vegan do not contain any ingredient or component derived from animals, which applies also to the production process.

Information outlining a) The total number of products manufactured and sold b) The total number of products that are organic certified.

If applicable, for imports, certification(s) from one of the 

At least 20% of the products the brand manufactures and/or sells is certified organic.

Growers, processors and importers who sell food, feed or products as organic in the UK must be registered with one of the

 and hold a valid certification for their business, products or materials:

Organic Farmers and Growers CIC (GB-ORG-02)

Soil Association Certification Ltd (GB-ORG-05, GB-BIO-142)

Biodynamic Association Certification (GB-ORG-06)

Quality Welsh Food Certification Ltd (GB-ORG-13)

, the identifying code of the control body must be displayed – for example, ‘GB-ORG-XX’. You can also add their name, initials or logo.

If the products are imported, then the brand selling the products in the UK, is able to provide a valid certification for the products from one of the 

 and third countries or territories (EU and non-EU) that may certify organic products for import into Great Britain.

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification. From Field to Fashion: The GOTS quality assurance system is based on on-site inspection and certification of the entire textile supply chain (processing and trade).

Organic Range

Minimum 20% of the products the brand manufactures or sells are certified organic. The brand limits its environmental impact through organic farming practices, which aims to produce food and/or materials using natural substances and processes. Organic farming encourages a high standard of animal welfare and requires farmers to meet the specific behavioural needs of animals.

Healthy People

Please provide all of the following to demonstrate compliance with the criteria:

Copies of policies and procedures related to the protection of domestic animals and wildlife.

Copies of certificates, licences, or permits related to the protection of wildlife and the environment.

Copies of reports or assessments related to the impact of the brand’s activities on wildlife and the environment.

Copies of training materials or resources used to educate and inform employees and customers about the importance of respecting and protecting wildlife and the environment.


Please provide any or all of the following if applicable to your brand, such as for events, travel operators or experiences:

Copies of contracts or agreements with suppliers, partners, and vendors that outline requirements and expectations related to the protection of wildlife and the environment.

Documents or policies which ensure that suppliers or operators also provide travel experiences or events that ​​also comply with the Cruelty Free Experiences criteria.

The brand does not offer, promote, or support activities that involve direct contact with wildlife for entertainment or financial gain, such as elephant rides, tiger petting, or dolphin shows.

The brand does not offer, promote, or support activities that involve the capture, confinement, or exploitation of wildlife for entertainment or financial gain, such as zoos, aquariums, or circuses.

The brand does not offer, promote, or support activities that involve the hunting or killing of wildlife for sport or trophy purposes.

The brand does not offer, promote, or support activities that involve the trade or sale of live or dead wildlife, or products made from wildlife.

The brand does not offer, promote, or support activities that involve the use of wildlife for scientific research or testing.

The brand does not offer, promote, or support activities that involve the destruction or degradation of natural habitats or ecosystems, or that have a negative impact on the health and welfare of wildlife.

The brand must have animal welfare policies in place that also consider domestic animals and their involvement in any experience.

For experiences, events and travel operators, the brand must have policies in place to ensure that its suppliers or operators also provide travel experiences or events that ​​that also comply with the Cruelty Free Experiences criteria.

Animal welfare policies must consider the 

 of animal welfare: Nutrition, Environment, Health, Behaviour, Mental State.

The brand has policies and practices in place to monitor and evaluate the impact of its activities on wildlife and the environment, and to take appropriate corrective actions as needed.

Cruelty Free Experiences

The brand has policies in place to ensure that activities involving wildlife are not exploitative, do not involve hunting or trading, and are respectful of animal welfare and the environment. Animal welfare policies must consider the Five Domains and the brand must also monitor and evaluate the impact of its activities.

Number(s) for the commercial EPC certificates for offices, workspaces, factories or physical stores. You can find the energy certificate on the UK government website 

The brand is taking measured steps to reduce its energy use across its premises.

The brand's UK offices, workspaces, factories or physical stores hold a valid Commercial Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with ratings that are 'B' graded or above (meaning they have achieved a high level of energy efficiency).


Energy Efficient

Stable Climate

Full list of ingredients used in any waterless product formula.

The product(s) must be an alternative to conventional products that most often contain water.

Products that the brand labels as waterless, must be formulated without any water, though they may contain other liquids as a base.

Waterless Products

The brand offers water-free alternatives to conventional products that most often contain water.

Detailed breakdown of how the brand practises a circular economy model.

The brand has implemented a circular business model that is designed to keep products and materials in use to reduce the amount of waste and pollution created. This can be a full business model or within a part of your operations e.g. closed loop supply chain with collection service; service for consumers to return and reuse of those materials, etc.

The activities are planned to be ongoing long-term, or at least minimum of next 12 months.


Circular Economy

The brand has implemented a circular business model that is designed to keep products and materials in use to reduce the amount of waste and pollution created.

Existing certification of Social Enterprise status by Social Enterprise UK, Social Enterprise Mark CIC, or alike.

If the organisation can provide evidence that they have met all of ethy’s Social Enterprise criteria for the past 12 months and do not hold an existing certification, then they can choose to provide the below proof to gain ethy’s Social Enterprise trust mark.

Governing documents (such as Memorandum and Articles of Association, SCIO Constitution, Trust Deed or other company Rules available in the public domain) which include the overarching social aims that the organisation is working towards achieving and rules on distributing at least half of annual profits towards achieving the social purpose.

Persons of Significant Control registrations, Shareholding Statements.

Company’s annual accounts and supporting statements.

Up to date (published within the last 12 months) social impact report with outcomes delivered for a minimum of 12 month period.


The organisation has set a defined primary social and/or environmental purpose, which means they are supporting the community in overcoming a need or a challenge.

The organisation must operate independently from the public sector or other corporate interests such as part or whole ownership by other companies with different interests.

The organisation reinvests or gives away 50% or more of any annual profits made towards achieving the social purpose.

The organisation obtains 50% or more of its income from trade.

The organisation is actively working towards and achieving the set social objectives, monitoring, evaluating and setting new targets.

The organisation is transparent about their purpose and activities through a social impact report​​ (published within the last 12 months) with outcomes delivered for a minimum of 12 month period.

Unincorporated organisations and start-up organisations (<24 months) are not eligible.


Social Enterprise

An organisation with a primarily social purpose, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners. They reinvest or donate at least half of their profits to support the community in overcoming a need or a challenge.

Full list of ingredients, components or materials used.

If applicable, certification of any home or industrially compostable bioplastics used.

If industrially compostable bioplastics are used, please provide a description and any relevant documentation to show how the brand provides its customers with an easily accessible method for collection and industrial composting of their products.

The brand does not sell any products using virgin plastics or recycled plastics.

Products are 100% plastic-free, and primary product packaging (packaging that touches the product, excluding labels) is 100% plastic-free.

Bioplastics can be used only if certified home compostable or industrially compostable (only where customers will be provided with an easily accessible method for collection and industrial composting).

Activities of the brand cannot be related to extracting oil, fossil fuels or selling plastics (excluding industrially compostable bioplastics).

Plastic Free Products

The brand does not use virgin or recycled plastic in any of its products and uses nearly 100% plastic-free primary product packaging.

Fair trade certification from fair trade standards auditors / accreditors such as: FLOCERT, The Fairtrade Foundation, Fairtrade International, Fair For Life, Naturland Fair 

Or proof of membership as a Fair Trade Enterprise of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO).

The brand holds a valid certification, membership or licence that demonstrates that the products that they manufacture and/or sell have been sourced from a fair trade supply chain and are fair trade certified.

Fair Trade Certified

The products are sourced from a verified fair trade supply chain and are fair trade verified.

To verify your materials' recyclability through our partner 

List of all products and breakdown of materials used for primary packaging with a clear indication of which materials are recycled. Copy and fill 

A description of where the recycled materials are sourced from, e.g. ocean plastic, post-consumer waste, etc.

Supporting evidence in the form of a signed letter from the recycling manufacturer, an invoice, contract or similar.

Data on material details and if these have been recycled can be provided through ethy’s partner Scrapp. Scrapp and ethy have worked together on 

Over 50% of the brand’s primary product packaging has been made from recycled materials.

Of the above packaging materials, a minimum of 96% of the packaging material is recycled.

Applies to primary packaging only. This is the packaging in direct contact with the product itself.

Over 50% Recycled Packaging

Over half of the brand's primary product packaging is made from recycled materials that have been recovered, reprocessed and converted into new materials.

If substantiation is based on directors of the company only and the company has more than 3 directors, then the additional rule will apply: More than 50% of the directors must be female to meet this standard. Details of all directors will need to be submitted.

Full name(s) of the female owner, founder, director or CEO. 

A Companies House record or employment contract outlining the role(s). 

The brand must have an active female owner, founder, director or CEO. 

The brand must notify ethy if its leadership member is no longer part of the brand.

Female Led

The brand has an active female owner, founder, director or CEO. 

Evidence of active Living Wage accreditation as a Living Wage employer.

The brand pays the Living Wage to all directly employed staff.

The brand also pays Living Wage to regularly contracted staff. This is staff who work two or more hours a week, for eight or more consecutive weeks a year. The Living Wage does not apply to contractors that supply your organisation with products e.g. stationery suppliers.

The real Living Wage rates are currently £12 across the UK and £13.15 in London for ages 18 and over. Exclude volunteers and apprentices. Real Living Wage is independently-calculated annually by the 

, based on the best available evidence on living standards in the UK and in London. The Living Wage rates for 2023-24 were announced on the 24th October 2023. Employers will then have 6 months until May 1st to implement them.

For more information on Living Wage requirements, please 

Living Wage

The brand pays the Living Wage to all directly employed staff, ensuring a decent standard of living in the UK and in London. Real Living Wage is independently-calculated annually by the Resolution Foundation and overseen by the Living Wage Commission.

 to collate and provide the required information.

List of all products and breakdown of materials used for primary and secondary packaging with a clear indication of which materials are recyclable or certified home compostable. Copy and fill 

to collate and provide all the required information. 

If applicable, certification or documentation from a relevant organisation to demonstrate the packaging complies with the home compostability requirements. E.g. OK compost HOME; Europe: prEN 17427 (2020) - Packaging.

Data on material details and recyclability can be provided through ethy’s partner Scrapp. Scrapp and ethy have worked together on 

Over 75% of the brand’s primary and secondary product packaging in total can be recycled through standard kerbside collection or is certified home compostable.

Product packaging is considered recyclable if a minimum of 96% of the packaging material can be recycled through standard kerbside collection.

Any home compostable materials must undergo 90% degradation after 12 months at ambient temperature, in the presence of microorganisms and oxygen, in a domestic composting unit (excludes hot compost units and processes).

Over 75% Recyclable Packaging

Over 75% of the brand’s primary and secondary product packaging can be recycled through standard kerbside collection or is certified home compostable.

Full list of ingredients for all products.

The brand sells or manufactures products that are all free from aggressive ingredients and synthetic chemicals listed below.

All formulations are free from drying alcohols, silicones, sulfates, SLS, parabens, phthalates, mineral oils, sulphates, PEGs, petroleum, silicones, propylene glycol, microbeads, talc, formaldehyde, oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene, synthetic fragrances, perfume and colourants including animal-derived dyes.

Sunscreens are free from chemicals that also harm marine life: oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene.

The company provides full and accessible transparency on all ingredients that go into its products.


Clean Beauty

The brand does not use aggressive ingredients, synthetic fragrances or colourants (incl. animal-derived dyes) in any of its products.

A description of the initiative, with a description of how the initiative differs from the brand’s typical activities for commercial gain. Please include your project definition of an ‘industry’ it is aimed at helping.

Available data on any results or impact achieved so far.

A website link or other proof of the initiative.

The brand engages with the industry to improve it and deliver social and/or environmental value through initiatives or projects. This can include actions such as: sharing best practices openly and freely with others in the same industry, lobbying for new policies or laws, and working to achieve wide-scale structural changes. Industry champions support the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda through 

Projects must be irrespective of commercial gain and/or go beyond the typical activities or donations relating to the products or services they sell. Activities such as planting trees to offset produced emissions or donating to a charity are not applicable.

The initiative should either have a measurable medium- to long-term impact or be ongoing with set goals.

‘Industry’ could be national, regional or local, depending on the organisation’s positioning and definition of the industry within their sustainability strategy.

Industry Champion

The brand is involved in projects or initiatives that improve the industry they operate in, and which go beyond their typical products, services and activities for direct commercial gains. Industry champions support the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda through 

Empowering you to act for a more sustainable future

200+

10k+

What is ethy?

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Sustainability Simplified.