Why Vetting?
- To Combat Greenwashing: Amidst the noise and misleading marketing campaigns about a company being environmentally compliant. Consumers really need help in identifying companies that are green and ethically compliance by decoding ethical labels. At IGN we will help you identify genuine and ethical brands.
- Build Trust: Vetting empowers consumers by giving them the confidence and providing them with choices that enable their purchases. Our process provides with recommendation that are unbiased and data-driven.
- Save Time: At IGN, we do the dirty work completing all the required research and documentations so that you don’t have to, thus saving you time and you make your choices.
- Supporting Genuine Impact: While we fully support sustainability and ethical environmental practice, our goal is also to direct support towards companies that are genuinely making a difference.
Our Core Vetting Criteria (and What We Look For)
- Transparency in the Supply Chain:
- We evaluate: Is there a public information available regarding the brand’s suppliers, factories, and material origins? Is a code of conduct available for suppliers?
- Why it’s Essential: To ensure accountability and traceability of impact.
- Example Qtn: Is this product traceable from raw material?
- Worker Welfare and Labor Practices:
- We look to evaluate: Fair wages (commitments to living wage), safe working conditions, no forced or child labor, a freedom of association, non-discrimination of association or at any form and fair hours.
- Why it’s Essential: Because these directly impacts human rights and dignity.
- Certifications we look out for: Fair Trade, SA8000, GOTS (for social aspects).
- Example Qtn: Are third-party audits performed by reputable organizations?
- Environmental Policies & Impact:
- We evaluate: Strong commitment towards the reduction of carbon emissions, sustainability practices (organic, recycled, and renewable), responsible water usage, waste reduction strategies (circularity), renewable energy use, and emissions reduction targets.
- Certifications we look out for: GOTS (for environmental aspects), B Corp (environmental performance), and specific product certifications.
- Why it’s Essential: Mitigations against environmental degradation and supports climate and the support for action
- Example Qtn: Do they have quantifiable reduction targets and publicly report on them?
- Materials & Sourcing:
- We evaluate: The use of sustainable materials like (organic cotton, recycled content, natural fibers, and low-impact synthetics). The ethical sourcing of raw materials (e.g., conflict-free minerals).
- Why it’s Essential: To reduces the strain on natural resources and ensures ethical origins practices.
- Example Question: Are materials certified by reputable standards like GOTS or FSC?
- Certifications, Standards and Third Party-Verifications:
- We evaluate: Are there verifiable recognition by reputable third-party certifications (e.g., B Corp, Fair Trade, GOTS, Leaping Bunny). We verify these certifications and standards.
- Why it’s Essential: To independently verify claims and avoids greenwashing decoding Eco-Labels
- Example Qtn: Are this certification(s) current and relevant to their industry?
- Community & Social Impact:
- We evaluate: We go beyond the brands core operations, and ask does the brand’s actively contribute positively to communities (e.g., charitable giving, ethical development projects, and empowering marginalized groups)?
- Why it’s Essential: Demonstration of a holistic commitment to positive social impact.
- Example Question: Do they have clearly defined Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives with measurable and documented outcomes?
- Product Longevity & Circularity (If Applicable):
- We evaluate: Are products designed for durability, repairability, or end-of-life recycling/composting? Take-back programs.
- Why it’s Essential: It Addresses one of the Pillars (Less Waste) of sustainability and promotes a circular economy.
- Example Qtn: Is there program for repair or recycle for your products?
How We Collect Information for our reviews
- Research: Through some of the publicly available information like (sustainability reports, impact reports, certifications, news).
- Direct Engagement: If need be, we establish direct communication with brands via (surveys, interviews).
- Feedback: Through customers’ feedback, we rate their sentiment regarding the brand ethics and claims.
Our Commitment to Unbiased Reviews
- Affiliate Disclosure: While we may have affiliate links in some pages, they do not in any way, influence our ratings.
- Review Integrity: All our reviews are primarily and wholly passed on the defined criteria and findings.
- Continuous Evaluation: While you have these ratings currently, it may change given that our assessments are ongoing and updated as brands evolve.
Conclusion: Your Trust, is Our Priority
- Summary: At Impact Global Network, we are 100% Committed to helping users make informed, impactful choices based on their (purchases,).
- Call to Action: “Explore some of our carefully vetted and assessed brands now on our Driving Impact page to start shopping with confidence, or you can dive into our Decoding Eco-Labels page for guide for more details on certifications and standardization.