ethy Sustainability Standards
Sustainability standards developed in partnership with industry leaders
Take our free assessment
Discover which ecolabels you could be eligible for and identify areas for improvement.
Protecting Biodiversity and Animal Welfare
The key to our survival is the sustainable use of our ecosystems and preserving biodiversity on land and below water. Healthy oceans and seas are essential to our existence. They cover 70% of our planet, and we rely on them for food, energy and water.
An estimated 80% of global deforestation occurs as a direct result of agricultural practices according to the UN, whilst moving to a plant-based diet has been described as a major opportunity for mitigating climate change by the IPCC.
Animal welfare and biodiversity are inextricably linked with ethical, environmental and social issues and include actions such as wildlife protection, ending desertification, restoring degraded land, sustainable forest management, and eliminating pollution and overfishing.
The UK’s targets for supporting biodiversity and animal welfare are:
- Thriving plants and wildlife: Achieve a growing and resilient network of land, water and sea that is richer in plants and wildlife.
- Using natural resources more sustainably: By 2030 all of England’s soils will be managed sustainably, and food will be produced sustainably and profitably.
- Enhancing the beauty, heritage and engagement with the natural environment through conservation and engagement across all sectors of society.
100% Vegan
The brand exclusively offers 100% vegan products or experiences and does not use any ingredient or component derived from animals in any of its products, packaging and production processes.
Find out more
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.
Find out more
Protects Biodiversity
The brand actively works towards the global goal of halting biodiversity loss by 2030 and the shared vision of living in harmony with nature by 2050 through taking action to avoid and minimise negative impacts to conserve carbon- and species-rich ecosystems (no net loss impact).
Find out more
Restores Biodiversity
The brand actively works towards the global goal of halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030 and the shared vision of living in harmony with nature by 2050 through taking action to restore and rebuild carbon- and species-rich ecosystems (net positive impact). The brand respects Indigenous peoples’ and local communities’ cultures and rights.
Find out more
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.
Find out more
Sustainable Palm Oil
The brand must use 100% sustainable palm oil in all products, as evidenced or assured by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification or ISCC – International Sustainability and Carbon Certification.
Find out more
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.
Find out more
Hundreds of brands have met ethy standards. Find ethy verified brands