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