Certification Standards

CBD (Cannabidiol) Products

Hemp-derived CBD products that are legally compliant (oils, salves, creams, etc.)

  • Required:

    • Business core purpose includes a “green” business function.  

    • Social and environmental mission and vision statement for your business on its website. 

    Preferred:

    • Banking with a community development, minority, or socially & environmentally responsible bank or credit union.

    • Protocols in place (e.g., trainings, HR policies, support group(s), statement of commitment, accountability mechanisms, etc.)  that advance justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) within the company.

  • Required:

    • Complies with all applicable laws and regulations (local, state, federal)  

    • Complies with FD&C Act

      • cannot be sold as dietary supplements

      • cannot be added to food for animals or humans

    • Website has FDA disclaimer

    • Must comply with state/federal labeling requirements

  • Required:

    • Maximizes biodiversity above and below ground, builds soil health towards resilient soil with the goal of reducing or eliminating synthetic fertilizer and pesticide applications (best if conducted an EIS)

    • Enables water conservation, erosion prevention, and stormwater runoff reduction.

    • Maximizes use of recycled materials in products and designs.

    • Responsible environmental management/procurement policy or practices for all waste materials and manufacturing processes.

    • Apply energy efficient technologies in indoor production facilities

    • All seeds and inputs are non-GMO

    • Transparency around seed sourcing

  • Required:

    • Use of local sourcing when available

    • Transparency around solvents used during extraction

    • May not include any of the following:

      • phthalates such as DBP, DEP, DEHP, BBzP, and DMP;

      • chemicals ending or containing “sulfate” or “sulfosuccinate”;

      • parabens or paraben preservatives; (chemicals ending in methyl, propyl, butyl, and ethyl);

      • petroleum variations including: mineral oil, petrolatum, paraffin;

      • nitrosamines (a group of potent carcinogens);

      • synthetic alcohols, fragrances, and dyes.

    • No animal testing and/or acquired Leaping Bunny cruelty-free certification.

    • List complete ingredients online where product is sold.

    • No nanotechnology, e.g. , particles below 100 nanometers. Green America is following Europe’s lead and using the Precautionary Principle until further research is complete on this topic.

    • Scented with only natural essential oils.

    • No chlorine bleaching.

    Preferred:

    • Produced using certified organic hemp (best if by third party certification such as Clean Green Certified)

    • If animal-based ingredients are used they are derived from sources that are ethical and produced in a way that supports biodiversity and the integrity of the food system (lanolin, honey, milk, stearates, beeswax).

    • Use of Fair-Trade ingredients (shea butter, olive oil, sugar, essential oils).

    • In formulating sunscreen, use only mineral ingredients.

  • Required:

    • Products are tested in third party laboratories to verify purity and potency

    • Company has traceback/recall protocols in place

    • Product is stored in safe environment

    • Use of child-proof containers

  • Required:

    • Commitment to sustainable labor practices and continuous improvement and transparency in the process. 

    • Country of manufacture disclosed on all products unless everything comes from one country and it is stated clearly on the front page of the website. 

    • Code of conduct in place that addresses social and environmental factory conditions with enforcement mechanism. 

    • Owned factories have an established worker representation mechanism.  

    • Owned factories pay a wage that ensures workers well-being. 

    • Commitment to a transparent supply chain including sub-contracting.   

    • Long-term contracts with contracted manufacturers. 

    Preferred: 

    • Owned and/or contracted factories are certified fair labor or fair trade. 

    • Owned/contracted factories are unionized.  

    • Disclosed factory list publicly available.  

    • Factory labor is paid a living a wage. 

  • Required:

    • Environmentally and socially positive packaging.  

    • Packaging is recyclable or compostable. 

    • Packaging components are from recycled sources and used at minimum. 

    Preferred:  

    • Packaging can be taken back for reuse. 

    • Offers opportunity for refills or receives containers such as bottles for reuse.

  • Required: 

    • Employees have access to family friendly benefits including high-quality health insurance, sick days, paid parental leave and childcare help. 

    • Offer a flexible workplace culture that encourages work/life balance and makes reasonable accommodations for telecommuting and flex schedules. 

    • Pays a wage that ensures employees well-being. 

    • Has an established non-discrimination policy and procedure, and ensures an inclusive workplace culture. 

    • Governs fairly and in a transparent manner. Is open to employee input. Has a whistle blower protection policy in place. 

    Preferred:

    • Living wage is paid. 

    • Has an established program that invests in employee growth and development. Item description

  • Required: 

    • Educates consumers on how to properly dispose of product at end of life-cycle. 

    • Use transparent and truthful marketing. 

    • Advocate for green business practices in the CBD industry. 

    • Established program for receiving input from both internal and external stakeholders.  

    Preferred:

    • Established take back program for end of product life-cycle. 

    • Actively seeks feedback from industry peers and participates in industry associations and mentor programs.

  • Required:

    • HVAC system well-maintained, building well-insulated, and smart and efficient climate control employed.

    • System in place for reducing electricity consumption from lighting and electronics.

    • Use of Energy Star rated appliances and CFL/LED light bulbs in office.

    • Use of 100% post-consumer recycled, Chlorine Free paper in the office and in all envelopes, marketing, and print materials.

    • Systems in place for reducing paper use such as electronic processes, printers set with double sided printing as the default, and more.

    • Use of only non-toxic cleaning and pest control products.

    • Maximum amount of waste is reused or recycled including paper, plastic, metals, glass, electronics, and printer ink cartridges.

    •  Action on clean energy such as purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) or use of on-site clean energy.

    • Compost all food waste.

    • Landscaping done with sustainability in mind, especially considering runoff and stormwater management.

    • Only fair trade and USDA certified organic coffee and tea served in the office.

    • Use of green or local caterers for events.

    • Use of a certified E-Steward for electronics recycling.

    • Proper disposal of hazardous materials (e.g., batteries, paint, motor oil, etc).

    • Knowledge of recycling/composting guidelines at your local recycling/composting facility.