Shop Ethical - Certified is one of the declarations under the Ekko Score Multi Sector & Business Standard.
Shop Ethical distinguish more ethically preferable companies based on a simple screening process using existing assessment information. The overall rating for each company incorporates the rating for each company up the ownership tree, including parent companies. Assessment covers the areas of environmental and social impact, treatment of animals and accountable business practice.
Shop Ethical Certification allows you to better understand the company and what you are supporting when you shop. Understanding the environmental and social record of companies behind common brand names allows you to shop with a clear conscience. You can get more information on this Certification on the Shop Ethical website.
Shop Ethical - Certified sits in the BUSINESS Family under the Societal Standard: Multi Sector & Business of Ekko Score. One set of weighted Ekko Score points are gathered from each Family.
These are the claimable declarations & certifications under the Societal Standard: Multi Sector & Business. Please note that different certifications and declarations may be relevant to each category.
Yes, where the impact of the claim is similar. This is how it works.
IMPORTANTLY, SELF DECLARATIONS ARE GOVERNED BY CONSUMER LAW. IT IS AGAINST THE LAW FOR BUSINESSES TO MAKE FALSE CLAIMS (INCLUDING IMPLIED CLAIMS IN A CONTEXT LIKE EKKO SCORE).
EVEN IF A PRODUCT HAS A FORMAL CERTIFICATION, THAT CERTIFICATION DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ENTIRE INTEGRITY OF THE PRODUCT'S MAKE UP.
An example might be a Handmade, Australian, Certified Organic chocolate that contains Palm Oil. Under Ekko Score, this product would claim Certified Organic and would self declare: Zero Waste Production and Australian made, but could not claim the No Palm Oil declaration. This would mean a lower score under the No Exploitation Standard, making the inclusion of Palm Oil clear to potential consumers, without detracting from its other assets.
No product is perfect, but some products are definitely better than others. Ekko Score allows you to make the best decision you can, or to put it another way, the least worst decision. And to make that decision with the confidence of not being green washed. Find out more about how Ekko Score works.