Library Guides: Economics/Peace Studies 2004W: Socioeconomic Perspectives on Science & Technology: Product Ratings, Labor & Environmental Issues

Product Ratings and Certifications

GoodGuide
Website and app that claims to "Find safe, healthy, green, & ethical products based on scientific ratings." The website gives detailed methodology for rating many different types of products (see http://www.goodguide.com/about/methodologies)
Good On You
Rates fashion brands on their sustainability and human rights record.
Textile RN Database
The RN is a number issued by the FTC to U.S. businesses that manufacture, import, distribute, or sell products covered by the Textile, Wool, and Fur Acts. Businesses can use this number on product labels instead of the company name.

Fair Trade USA
Certifies companies based on fair labor practices. Website contains an Ingredients database. Many products with this certification are food and drink products, but there are also household goods and clothing products.
Free2Work
Publishes "Industry Trends" reports on many industries and has an app that rates products' labor practices

ClimateCounts
Rates companies on their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint - companies are downgraded if they lobby against government efforts to raise standards for companies
GreenSeal
For many products and services. Standards development and review process is described at http://www.greenseal.org/greenbusiness/standards.aspx
GreenerChoices.org (labels)
This website, run by Consumer Reports, helps you figure out what label language such as "organic," "shade grown," or "rainforest alliance certified" actually means.
Skin Deep
Rates thousands of popular cosmetic products for various forms of toxicity. Focuses on consumer health concerns but also contains a category on ecotoxicology
LEVEL certification
for furniture
ePEAT
For electronics
Forest Stewardship Council
For wood and paper products

BizNGO
An informal network of businesses and NGO's committed to a set of "Principles for Safer Chemicals." Publishes a Guide to Safer Chemicals, a Plastics Scorecard, and other material.
US Green Building Council
Major US organization for green building standards, which address sourcing of materials