Free Range Farmer - Self Declared is one of the declarations under the Ekko Score No Exploitation Standard.
Self Declared Free Range Farmers, as a minimum, fall within the legal framework of the definition relating to their particular livestock. Free Range Farming refers to a method of growing livestock where animals are free to walk and move within a farm area rather than being caged. Animals typically include chickens, pigs, goats - any meat, dairy, egg or skin producing animal.
Free Range Farming allows animals to live more freely outside without being caged. It typically means less stress and better quality produce. (Like eggs, milk, meat, leather). It also means that the animals themselves are able to live the best possible life.
Free Range Farmer - Self Declared sits in the FREE RANGE Family under the Societal Standard: No Exploitation 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.