Consumers support ethical businesses.
Ethical Accreditation by The GOOD Shopping Guide is the original ethical certification standard. Operating for 25 years, our full-spectrum ethical analysis covers over 20 ethical criteria within the main sections of Environment, Animals and People. Ethical Accreditation exists to encourage ethical companies and brands to push for and communicate their high ethical standards. Those ethical companies and brands which reach our ethical benchmark, can be awarded Ethical Accreditation. These ethical businesses are promoted within The GOOD Shopping Guide, which is the leading reference source for ethical comparisons used by consumers.
Apply for our Free Initial Ethical & Sustainability Assessment to see if your business is eligible for Ethical Accreditation.
The benefits of Ethical Accreditation are:
- Strengthen brand reputation with consumers, via trusted, independent ethical certification.
- Increase consumer and trade sales by meeting rising demand for ethical products and services.
- Attract and retain top talent who want to work for genuinely ethical companies.
- Enhance investor confidence and engagement through verified ethical standards.
- Communicate your ethical credentials instantly with a clear, recognisable logo.
- Improve your GSG Ethical Score with additional points in the Ethical Comparison Tables.
- Gain visibility with the readers of The GOOD Shopping Guide, renowned for objective ethical reviews.
What is Ethical Accreditation?
Estabilished 25 years ago, Ethical Accreditation is our independent endorsement that recognises companies, brands and products which demonstrate genuinely high ethical standards. Carrying the Ethical Accreditation mark signals to consumers, employees, investors and partners that your organisation is committed to responsible practice across its entire operation.
Every applicant undergoes a rigorous assessment by The GOOD Shopping Guide’s research team. This process examines more than 20 ethical criteria, grouped under three core pillars: The Environment, Animal Welfare and Human Rights. Criteria are tailored to each product sector, and our researchers review company reports, policies and commitments alongside hundreds of respected external sources. This comprehensive approach ensures that only organisations with demonstrably responsible practices qualify for our endorsement.
All ethical ratings are published publicly in The GOOD Shopping Guide. Accredited brands have achieved a high GSG Ethical Score and are clearly highlighted within our Ethical Comparison Tables. Accredited companies may display the ethical mark across their communications, including websites, packaging, advertising, press materials and corporate documents.
Leading organisations such as Highland Spring, Neal’s Yard Organic, Octopus Energy and Charity Bank have achieved Ethical Accreditation, demonstrating their commitment to transparent and responsible business.
Apply today for our Free Initial Ethical Assessment to see to discover whether your organisation is eligible for Ethical Accreditation.
Ethical Accreditation and the EU Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (ECGT) Directive
What is the EU’s ECGT Directive and what does it mean for your business?
The European Union’s Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (ECGT) Directive is banning the display of non-certified Sustainability Labels. All sustainability labels must now be verified by a third-party and the certification process must be transparent, open to all, and audited. So, if you have an internal or made up “green” logo that has not been vetted by an outside body, you should remove it.
How Ethical Accreditation supports the new Directive
The GOOD Shopping Guide fully supports this EU initiative as it will help its mission to empower consumers and counteract greenwash and unsubstantiated marketing claims. For 25 years now, The GOOD Shopping Guide has provided accurate ethical comparison information to the world.
The ECGT does not restrict usage of the Ethical Accreditation mark from The GOOD Shopping Guide. As it is independent, is an ethical mark and not a sustainability mark.
More brands will need to show their customers that they have been independently assessed to ethical benchmark standard – across wide criteria including environmental records, animal welfare, human rights and corporate responsibility. Ethical Accreditation is widely respected by consumers and businesses, with approaching 200 leading ethical and sustainable brands currently benefiting from the endorsement.