Health and safety standards for children’s products are of the utmost importance, especially when it come to food, clothes and toys. Furniture and building materials require a quality and functionality inspection from the raw materials, to the manufacturing process, and ultimately to disposal of the product. Then there’s also the larger consideration of the impact the things we purchase have on our environment. Criteria for the use of chemicals; the amounts of discharge the product produces to the air, water and ground that the product produces, as well as energy usage and waste procedures are all taken into account. The USDA, EPA and other governmental agencies do their best to require companies are doing their share to protect you. And as a customer you have the right to know – and be choosy – about what you are putting on and in the mouths of little ones.
We know that life leaves little time for research. We’ve compiled a list of the common and not-so-common badges companies may tout so you’ll have less guessing work going down the aisle.
Keep these labels in mind the next time you’re shopping for a product and you’ll know a little more about what powers your products carry.
The USDA Certified Organic Seal may be carried on products that are 96%-98% Organic (total organic content excluding water). The organic standards describe the specific requirements that must be verified by a USDA-accredited certifying agent before products can be labeled USDA organic. Organic operations must demonstrate that they are protecting natural resources, conserving biodiversity, and using only approved substances.
The Leaping Bunny Cruelty Free International label is the only globally recognized guarantee that a brand has made a genuine commitment to ending animal testing for its products. Hundreds of cosmetics, personal care, and cleaning brands are certified cruelty-free under the Leaping Bunny program. Certified companies must meet rigorous criteria, including independent audits.
Look for children’s toys that carry the CE mark, showing that they meet the EN71 safety standards. EN71 toy safety requirements were established in 1990 for all toys sold in the European Union. These toys must meet stringent EU standards for safety and be phthalate-free.
GOTS certification focuses on the processing of textiles after they arrive at the manufacturer. Although fiber cultivation is not covered by GOTS, raw materials must be certified organic by an industry recognized group (i.e., the USDA) in order to be considered. In general, hazardous chemicals are banned, along with any methods or products that threaten the health of either animals, plants, forests or people.
The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization that promotes the responsible management of the world’s forests. Certification allows productive forests and manufacturers to follow the vision and mission of FSC, with verification of environmental and social performance to ensure responsible management practices. Baby furniture, such as cribs and dressers, can earn FSC certification if the manufacturer conforms to all applicable FSC requirements.
The Swan is the official Nordic Eco-label, carried by products out of Nordic countries. Its aim is to provide information to consumers to enable them to select products that are the least harmful to the environment. It focuses on product areas where eco-labeling is seen to be both a necessity and a benefit. The criteria are based on evaluation of the environmental impacts during the entire life cycle of the products. Our line of Bambo Diapers holds this seal of approval.
