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Ethical Claims:
We aim to help consumers make value-based purchasing decisions. To achieve this, we have created an Ethical Claim system that gives sellers an opportunity to attach one or more of the following Ethical Claim Drops to their products (click below to learn more):
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Eco-Friendly |
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Fairly-Traded |
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Organic |
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Animal Friendly |
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People-Friendly |
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Social Change |
As you are shopping, you will see the relevant Ethical Claim Drop beside each product as shown below:
In order to add an Ethical Claim Drop to their product, sellers must justify how that product meets the criteria of that claim. To view the personalized justification for any product, navigate to the product page and click on the large Ethical Claim Drop to view the full explanation.
Claim Descriptions:
The following claim descriptions highlight the ethical classifications on the site. Listed in each claim description are:
- the overall aims of the ethical classification
- examples of qualities of the ethical classification
- certifications that can be applied to add strength to a product's ethical claim
Each product on Ethical Ocean must be listed under one of these ethical claims, and must meet at least one of the ethical criteria within that claim. However, each product may or may not meet all the criteria, or have an officially recognized certification.
Aim: Eco-Friendly products aim to have a better-than-average impact on the environment through reducing water, energy, toxic chemicals, carbon emissions and waste.
Description: Some examples of the qualities of eco-friendly products include:
- Products that reduce the amount of water you use, or that minimize the amount of water used to produce the product.
- Products that help you save electricity.
- Products that contain only natural ingredients
- Products that are made from sustainably harvested goods.
- Products made from recycled materials.
- Products that reduce the amount of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere
Certifications:
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Since this is such a diverse ethical product category, there are many labels that apply. Natural Products Association Certified, Energy Star, Energy Start, Energy Saving Recommended, Forestry Stewardship Council, and 100% Recycled Material are just a few examples of these certifications. |
Aim: Fairly Traded products aim to increase the equity of international trade.
Description: The Fairly Traded criteria includes products with the official Fair Trade certification, products that are classified as "Direct Trade", as well as alternative products that have substantiated claims proving that their products increase the equity of international trade.
The benefits of Fairly Traded products can include, but aren't exclusive to:
- Increasing the prices that are paid to the producer (farmer, artisan, worker) of the product
- Ensuring that the producer had fair and just working conditions under long-term contracts
- Forming partnerships with producers that promote dialogue, transparency and respect
- Contributing to sustainable socio-economic development by securing the rights of marginalized producers and workers, especially in the Global South.
- Raising awareness and campaigning for changes that address some of the systematic market failures that are an outcome of conventional international trade.
Certification:
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Fairtrade is an official certification that is policed by the Fair Trade Labeling Organisation that guarantees a minimum set of standards for the producers of the product. These standards include:
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Aim: Organic certified products aim to minimize harm to the environment by eliminating synthetic chemical inputs in agricultural production.
Description: Organic certification is a process for producers of organic food and other organic agricultural products. Requirements vary from country to country and generally involve a set of production standards for growing, storing, processing, packaging and shipping that include:
- Avoiding most synthetic chemical inputs (e.g. fertilizer, pesticides, antibiotics, food additives, etc), genetically modified organisms, irradiation, and the use of sewage sludge;
- Using farmland that has been free from chemicals for a number of years (often, three or more);
- Keeping detailed written production and sales records (audit trail);
- Maintaining strict physical separation of organic products from non-certified products;
- Undergoing periodic on-site inspections.
Certification:
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In Canada, organic certification is regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency “Canada Organic” logo appear below. There are many local certifying bodies but they all must adhere to the central organization. In the United States, the National Organic Program (NOP) is the federal regulatory framework governing organic food. |
Aim: Animal-Friendly products aim to actively protect the rights and well-being of animals throughout the lifespan of the product.
Description: Some examples of the types of animal-friendly products include:
- Vegan - products are made without animal ingredients (e.g. synthetic leather);
- Testing - products are made without being tested on laboratory animals;
- Animal habitat – products that actively protect and enhance animal habitat through their production or their profits.
Certification:
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While there is no definite animal-friendly label, a “cruelty-free” label is sometimes used to notify buyers that their products do not use animal testing. Sustainably harvested seafood is often marked with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification mark. |
Aim: People-Friendly products aim to protect the rights and well-being of the workers and communities involved in production and manufacturing.
Description: Some examples of the qualities of people-friendly products include:
- Ensuring that products are sweatshop free (no child labour, no inhumane work conditions);
- Guaranteeing that producers of developing countries receive more than 50% of the retail price;
- Using all profits for development projects;
- Employing disadvantaged people in production with fair wages;
- Promoting and maintaining traditional and cultural practices through production.
Certification:
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While there is no one definitive label, Sweatshop Free, Social Accountability 8000, Fair Workplace Council Certified, and Union Made are some of the certifications that ensure worker rights can be ensured. The International Labour Rights Forum (ILRF) is an advocacy organization dedicated to achieving just and humane treatment for workers worldwide. |
Aim: Social Change products aim to empower people to take action to make the world a better place.
Description: Some examples of social change products include:
- A book about how to lobby your MP for stricter environmental regulations;
- An iron-on patch that supports your ethical cause of choice;
- A donation to a charity that does leadership training for disadvantaged youth;
- An educational DVD on the causes and effects of climate change.
Certifications:
We are not currently aware of any third party certifications that label products of social change, but we will continue to carefully assess these products on a case-by-case basis.
