Certification Glossary

Not all "certified" claims are created equal. Here's what each certification actually requires — so you can tell the difference between rigorous third-party auditing and meaningless marketing.

GOTS

Global Organic Textile Standard. Requires 70%+ organic fiber content, prohibits toxic dyes and chemicals, mandates fair labor practices. Independently audited across the full supply chain.

global-standard.org →

OEKO-TEX Standard 100

Tested for 100+ harmful substances. Every component of the product is tested — threads, buttons, dyes, coatings. Products are categorized by skin contact level. One of the most widely recognized textile safety certifications.

oeko-tex.com →

GOLS

Global Organic Latex Standard. Requires 95%+ organic latex content. Prohibits synthetic fillers, chemical flame retardants, and harmful adhesives. Applies to mattresses, pillows, and toppers.

global-standard.org →

B Corp

Certified B Corporation. Measures a company's entire social and environmental impact. Covers governance, workers, community, environment, and customers. Recertified every three years.

bcorporation.net →

EWG Verified

Environmental Working Group. Products must meet EWG's strictest criteria for health — avoiding ingredients on their "unacceptable" list and fully disclosing all ingredients. Applies to personal care and cleaning products.

ewg.org →

Fair Trade Certified

Fair wages and safe conditions. Ensures workers in the supply chain earn fair wages, work in safe conditions, and have access to community development funds. Audited by independent third parties.

fairtradecertified.org →

USDA Organic

95%+ organic ingredients. For food, personal care, and textiles. Prohibits synthetic pesticides, GMOs, and most synthetic fertilizers. Verified through annual inspections by USDA-accredited certifiers.

usda.gov/organic →

Climate Neutral

Measured, reduced, offset emissions. Brands must measure their full carbon footprint, commit to reduction plans, and offset remaining emissions. Recertified annually.

climateneutral.org →

How We Use Certifications

  • Certifications are one input — not the only input — in our vetting process
  • We verify certification status directly with certifying bodies when possible
  • Uncertified products can still qualify if they provide third-party lab testing
  • We monitor for certification lapses and update our recommendations accordingly
Read our full methodology →