Brand: Etrican

Attributes: Non-Toxic, Organic

Description: This piece is a natural colored cardigan with contrast trimmings and pocket details and longer than usual sleeves and length.

Made of organic cotton in India, the cardigan comes in four different sizes.

Etrican was established in 2009 and is one of Singapore’s first green fashion labels offering organic cotton clothing.

You can buy from Etrican’s online store.

The product is awarded a Green Rating of 4 stars based on 8 points in the following 5 criteria (updated on 17 May 2012):

Business Sustainability

2. Does the company have a sustainability policy or publish a sustainability report?

Etrican is committed to be a sustainable business and its apparel is made using environmentally friendly fabrics and materials. They use organic cotton for their clothing, and use reused or recycled materials for their accessories. They also try to be environmentally responsible in their business operations.

4. Has the company taken steps to implement green practices in the office or reduce the environmental impacts from its offices?

The company keeps their production regional to reduce carbon footprint, reduces energy consumption in their office and prints their name cards on recycled paper.

Energy and Climate Change

11. Has the company taken steps towards reducing its energy consumption, carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas emissions?

Etrican has taken steps to keep their production regional so as to reduce its carbon footprint, and also to reduce energy consumption in their office.

Materials and Waste

19. Has the company taken steps to reduce the material and packaging used for the product, or to reduce the waste generated in the production of the product or service?

The company does not give out packaging if customers are collecting the products directly from them and are fine with no packaging.

Chemicals and Health

23. Does the product or service use natural ingredients or use no harmful chemicals?

The product is GOTS certified. Based on the GOTS criteria for fibre production, a textile product carrying the GOTS label grade ‘organic’ must contain a minimum of 95% certified organic fibres.

The GOTS criteria for processing and manufacturing also includes the prohibition of critical inputs such as toxic heavy metals, formaldehyde, aromatic solvents, functional nano particles, and genetically modified organisms.

24. Is the product or service certified organic and have a credible third party certification or label?

The product is certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), which is recognised as the leading processing standard for textiles made from organic fibres, and defines environmental criteria along the supply chain and social criteria as well.

Social and Ethical

27. Does the company have a corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy?

Etrican believes in environmental and social responsibility. The company uses organic cotton certified by GOTS, which one of the social criteria is to have a policy for social accountability to ensure that the social criteria can be met.

Etrican’s accessories are handmade with the help of GtG, a non profit organisation in India offering fair employment to people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

In addition, Etrican’s gifts range are handmade or hand painted by a group of deaf and other physically challenged people employed by Silence, a centre for socio-economic rehabilitation based in India.

30. Are the company employees involved in community activities or volunteering their time to help the community or the environment?

Etrican’s founders, Yumiko and Dragos are actively involved in community activities as participating vendors or sponsors for events such as Re-Live by Eco Singapore, Project Pebbles, Green Carnival by NUS SAVE or Clean and Green Singapore.

“I wore the cardigan for a full day and love the snuggly feel to it. The piece is light in weight and definitely a comfortable item to wear even outdoors. The longer length also made for a perfect transitional layer.”

- Nor Lastrina Hamid

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Brand: Bamboo Baby

Attributes: Non-Toxic, Organic

Description: Bamboo Baby’s white shorts with black ribbon belt is made from organic bamboo.

This piece is for girls aged 4-5 years and is 104cm to 110cm long.

Bamboo Baby in the UK offers a wide range of high quality designer baby clothes and kids clothing, made from organic bamboo and organic cotton.

Bamboo Baby products are distributed by Eccogekko. You can buy from their online store.

The product is awarded a Green Rating of 4 stars based on 8  points in the following 5 criteria (updated on 4 May 2012):

Business Sustainability

2. Does the company have a sustainability policy or publish a sustainability report?

The company is committed to sustainability and ensures that their fabrics, which include bamboo and cotton, are ethically and organically produced. They also use minimal recycled and biodegradable packaging and using 100% renewable energy in the office.

4. Has the company taken steps to implement green practices in the office or reduce the environmental impacts from its offices?

The company uses 100% renewable energy in their office.

Energy and Climate Change

11. Has the company taken steps towards reducing its energy consumption, carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas emissions?

The company uses 100% renewable energy in their office.

Materials and Waste

16. Is the product grown in a sustainable manner?

The product is made from bamboo, one of the worlds fastest growing plants, and is grown without pesticides or fertilisers.

19. Has the company taken steps to reduce the material and packaging used for the product, or to reduce the waste generated in the production of the product or service?

The company uses minimal recycled and biodegradable packaging.

Chemicals and Health

23. Does the product or service use natural ingredients or use no harmful chemicals?

The product is made from organic bamboo, and the bamboo yarn is Oeko-Tex 100 certified, which limits the use of chemicals.

25. Has the company taken steps to reduce the chemicals used in the product or service?

The company works with manufacturers which are Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified and Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified. These certifications limit the use of chemicals.

Social and Ethical

27. Does the company have a corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy?

The company donates a percentage of their turnover to charity – usually an environmental or children’s charity.

The company also works with manufacturers certified to the Social Accountability 8000 Standard for managing human rights in the workplace and ensures that workers are getting a fair deal, and the FLO-CERT certification which ensures that traders pay the Fairtrade Premium to producers.

Coming soon… the baby is busy trying it out

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Brand: Hatchling

Attributes: Non-Toxic, Organic

Description: Hatchling’s Little Dancer Tee is made from 100% organic Supima cotton and uses azo free dyes and non-toxic environmentally safe inks.

This particular piece is for girls and comes in three different sizes, for age 2-3, 4-5 and 6-7 years old.

Hatchling provides eco-friendly children clothing made in the US, using 100% organic Supima cotton, azo free dyes, and non-toxic environmentally safe inks. All their T-shirts have bold and quirky designs.

Hatchling products are distributed by Eccogekko. You can buy from their online store.

The product is awarded a Green Rating of 2 stars based on 3  points in the following 2 criteria (updated on 1 May 2012):

Materials and Waste

16. Is the product grown in a sustainable manner?

The cotton used for the product is organic and grown in a sustainable manner to minimise impact on the environment by using less water, land and energy.

Chemicals and Health

23. Does the product or service use natural ingredients or use no harmful chemicals?

The product uses natural organic cotton with azo free dyes and non-toxic environmentally safe inks.

25. Has the company taken steps to reduce the chemicals used in the product or service?

The company uses organic cotton for its clothing.

Coming soon… the baby is busy trying it out

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Brand: Canboli

Attributes: Non-Toxic, Organic

Description: Canboli’s Sleeveless Bodysuit with Colourful Edge is made from 100% Turkish organic cotton. The organic cotton is certified according to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).

This particular piece is unisex and comes in five different colours; Brown, Fuchsia, Lime, Orange and Turquoise, for babies 0-3 months, 3-6 months and 6-12 months.

Canboli is a brand of Orimpex B.V., a company in the Netherlands, which carries 100% organic, bright-coloured, high-end baby clothes.

Canboli products are distributed by Eccogekko. You can buy from their online store.

The product is awarded a Green Rating of 5 stars based on 12 points in the following 6 criteria (updated on 26 Apr 2012):

Business Sustainability

1. Does the company, product or service have a third party certified green business or green product label?

The company is certified according to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), which is recognised as the leading processing standard for textiles made from organic fibres, and defines environmental criteria along the supply chain and social criteria as well.

2. Does the company have a sustainability policy or publish a sustainability report?

In the GOTS, one of the environmental criteria is to have a written environmental policy.

Energy and Climate Change

9. Does the company measure its energy consumption, carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas emissions?

In the GOTS, one of the environmental criteria is to have data on energy consumption, target goals and procedures to reduce energy consumption per kg of textile output.

10. Has the company set an energy consumption, carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas reduction target?

In the GOTS, one of the environmental criteria is to have data on energy consumption, target goals and procedures to reduce energy consumption per kg of textile output.

11. Has the company taken steps towards reducing its energy consumption, carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas emissions?

In the GOTS, one of the environmental criteria is to have data on energy consumption, target goals and procedures to reduce energy consumption per kg of textile output.

Materials and Waste

19. Has the company taken steps to reduce the material and packaging used for the product, or to reduce the waste generated in the production of the product or service?

In the GOTS, one of the environmental criteria is to have procedures to minimise waste and discharges.

Water

22. Has the company taken steps to reduce the water usage or wastewater generated in the production of the product or service?

In the GOTS, one of the environmental criteria is to have target goals and procedures to reduce water consumption per kg of textile output.

Chemicals and Health

23. Does the product or service use natural ingredients or use no harmful chemicals?

Based on the GOTS criteria for fibre production, a textile product carrying the GOTS label grade ‘organic’ must contain a minimum of 95% certified organic fibres.

The GOTS criteria for processing and manufacturing also includes the prohibition of critical inputs such as toxic heavy metals, formaldehyde, aromatic solvents, functional nano particles, and genetically modified organisms.

24. Is the product or service certified organic and have a credible third party certification or label?

The company is certified organic according to the GOTS.

25. Has the company taken steps to reduce the chemicals used in the product or service?

Based on the GOTS criteria, all chemical inputs must be evaluated and meet basic requirements on toxicity and biodegradability/eliminability.

The GOTS criteria for processing and manufacturing also includes the prohibition of critical inputs such as toxic heavy metals, formaldehyde, aromatic solvents, functional nano particles, and genetically modified organisms.

Social and Ethical

27. Does the company have a corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy?

In the GOTS, one of the social criteria is to have a policy for social accountability to ensure that the social criteria can be met.

29. Does the company have a no child labour or non-discrimination policy?

In the GOTS, the social criteria includes child labour must not be used, and no discrimination is practised.

Coming soon… the baby is busy trying it out

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Brand: Green Baby

Attributes: Fair Trade, Non-Toxic, Organic

Description: Green Baby’s Farmyard Sleepsuit is made from 100% organic cotton and uses nickel free poppers. This particular range is made on a fair trade project in India.

The organic cotton is certified according to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). The dyes used does not include harmful substances.

This particular piece is unisex and sizes are available for babies 3-6 months and 6-12 months.

Green Baby is a leading baby company in the UK that is exclusively focused on producing organic cotton baby clothing and handmade skincare range that is eco-friendly and ethical.

Green Baby products are distributed by Eccogekko. You can buy from their online store.

The product is awarded a Green Rating of 5 stars based on 14 points in the following 6 criteria (updated on 26 Apr 2012):

Business Sustainability

1. Does the company, product or service have a third party certified green business or green product label?

The company is certified according to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), which is recognised as the leading processing standard for textiles made from organic fibres, and defines environmental criteria along the supply chain and social criteria as well.

2. Does the company have a sustainability policy or publish a sustainability report?

In the GOTS, one of the environmental criteria is to have a written environmental policy.

4. Has the company taken steps to implement green practices in the office or reduce the environmental impacts from its offices?

The company minimises the impact at the manufacturing stage by using only environmentally friendly processes. The dyes used are free from harmful heavy metals. The card used in the packaging, hangers, and delivery boxes is recycled, and their clothing is delivered in reusable bags.

5. Has the company, product or service won any environmental or sustainability awards?

The company won the 2009 and 2010 Best Children’s Eco Range at the Prima Baby Fashion Awards.

Prima Baby Fashion Awards is an annual competition organised by Prima Baby magazine, Britain’s fastest growing pregnancy and baby magazine.

Energy and Climate Change

9. Does the company measure its energy consumption, carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas emissions?

In the GOTS, one of the environmental criteria is to have data on energy consumption, target goals and procedures to reduce energy consumption per kg of textile output.

10. Has the company set an energy consumption, carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas reduction target?

In the GOTS, one of the environmental criteria is to have data on energy consumption, target goals and procedures to reduce energy consumption per kg of textile output.

11. Has the company taken steps towards reducing its energy consumption, carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas emissions?

In the GOTS, one of the environmental criteria is to have data on energy consumption, target goals and procedures to reduce energy consumption per kg of textile output.

Materials and Waste

19. Has the company taken steps to reduce the material and packaging used for the product, or to reduce the waste generated in the production of the product or service?

In the GOTS, one of the environmental criteria is to have procedures to minimise waste and discharges.

The company also minimises waste as the card they use in their packaging, hangers, and delivery boxes is recycled, and clothing is delivered in reusable bags.

Water

22. Has the company taken steps to reduce the water usage or wastewater generated in the production of the product or service?

In the GOTS, one of the environmental criteria is to have target goals and procedures to reduce water consumption per kg of textile output.

Chemicals and Health

23. Does the product or service use natural ingredients or use no harmful chemicals?

Based on the GOTS criteria for fibre production, a textile product carrying the GOTS label grade ‘organic’ must contain a minimum of 95% certified organic fibres.

The GOTS criteria for processing and manufacturing also includes the prohibition of critical inputs such as toxic heavy metals, formaldehyde, aromatic solvents, functional nano particles, and genetically modified organisms.

24. Is the product or service certified organic and have a credible third party certification or label?

The company is certified organic according to the GOTS.

25. Has the company taken steps to reduce the chemicals used in the product or service?

Based on the GOTS criteria, all chemical inputs must be evaluated and meet basic requirements on toxicity and biodegradability/eliminability.

The GOTS criteria for processing and manufacturing also includes the prohibition of critical inputs such as toxic heavy metals, formaldehyde, aromatic solvents, functional nano particles, and genetically modified organisms.

Social and Ethical

27. Does the company have a corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy?

In the GOTS, one of the social criteria is to have a policy for social accountability to ensure that the social criteria can be met.

The company is also supporting fair trade since 1999, meaning that everyone in the supply chain, from the cotton farmers to the pattern cutters and everyone in between can bank on the fact that the company will support them, that they will be paid a fair wage, enjoy tea breaks, proper sanitation and work in pleasant and clean environments. It also means that the company pay them the kind of prices for their products that enable them to plan for their families and future.

29. Does the company have a no child labour or non-discrimination policy?

In the GOTS, the social criteria includes child labour must not be used, and no discrimination is practised.

Coming soon… the baby is busy trying it out

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Brand: Organics for Kids

Attributes: Fair Trade, Non-Toxic, Organic

Description: Organics for Kids Reversible Blanket for babies and kids has dog prints on one side and stripes on the other. The blanket is made from organic cotton, and the size is 70cm by 70cm.

The organic cotton is certified according to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and the Soil Association, and the dyes used does not include harmful substances.

Organics for Kids carries a range of organic clothes and gifts for babies, made exclusively from fairly traded textiles and manufactured in the UK.

Organics for Kids products are distributed by Eccogekko. You can buy from their online store.

The product is awarded a Green Rating of 5 stars based on 13 points in the following 6 criteria (updated on 24 Apr 2012):

Business Sustainability

1. Does the company, product or service have a third party certified green business or green product label?

The company is certified according to the Soil Association and the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), which is recognised as the leading processing standard for textiles made from organic fibres, and defines environmental criteria along the supply chain and social criteria as well.

2. Does the company have a sustainability policy or publish a sustainability report?

In the GOTS, one of the environmental criteria is to have a written environmental policy.

5. Has the company, product or service won any environmental or sustainability awards?

The company was a winner of the Natural and Organic Awards 2011 for the category “Best Organic Textile Product“.

Energy and Climate Change

9. Does the company measure its energy consumption, carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas emissions?

In the GOTS, one of the environmental criteria is to have data on energy consumption, target goals and procedures to reduce energy consumption per kg of textile output.

10. Has the company set an energy consumption, carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas reduction target?

In the GOTS, one of the environmental criteria is to have data on energy consumption, target goals and procedures to reduce energy consumption per kg of textile output.

11. Has the company taken steps towards reducing its energy consumption, carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas emissions?

In the GOTS, one of the environmental criteria is to have data on energy consumption, target goals and procedures to reduce energy consumption per kg of textile output.

Materials and Waste

19. Has the company taken steps to reduce the material and packaging used for the product, or to reduce the waste generated in the production of the product or service?

In the GOTS, one of the environmental criteria is to have procedures to minimise waste and discharges.

Water

22. Has the company taken steps to reduce the water usage or wastewater generated in the production of the product or service?

In the GOTS, one of the environmental criteria is to have target goals and procedures to reduce water consumption per kg of textile output.

Chemicals and Health

23. Does the product or service use natural ingredients or use no harmful chemicals?

Based on the GOTS criteria for fibre production, a textile product carrying the GOTS label grade ‘organic’ must contain a minimum of 95% certified organic fibres.

The GOTS criteria for processing and manufacturing also includes the prohibition of critical inputs such as toxic heavy metals, formaldehyde, aromatic solvents, functional nano particles, and genetically modified organisms.

24. Is the product or service certified organic and have a credible third party certification or label?

The company is certified organic according to the Soil Association and the GOTS.

25. Has the company taken steps to reduce the chemicals used in the product or service?

Based on the GOTS criteria, all chemical inputs must be evaluated and meet basic requirements on toxicity and biodegradability/eliminability.

The GOTS criteria for processing and manufacturing also includes the prohibition of critical inputs such as toxic heavy metals, formaldehyde, aromatic solvents, functional nano particles, and genetically modified organisms.

Social and Ethical

27. Does the company have a corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy?

In the GOTS, one of the social criteria is to have a policy for social accountability to ensure that the social criteria can be met.

The company also uses certified Fairtrade cotton when it is available, and when it is not available, they ensure that the cotton is fairly traded (meaning that farmers are paid a reasonable and normally premium price for their cotton, and are not exploited in the process).

29. Does the company have a no child labour or non-discrimination policy?

In the GOTS, the social criteria includes child labour must not be used, and no discrimination is practised.

“My little boy is not so little anymore (he’s going on 7) but he loves this little blankie and enjoys having it over his tummy when he’s in bed – just nice for sleeping with the fan on.  The doggy print is not sticky and the general texture of the blanket is soft and remains so even after washing.”

- Agy

What do you think? Share your reviews and comments below.

Brand: Snowberry

Attributes: No Animal Testing, Non-Toxic, Carbon Neutral

Description: Snowberry Bright Defense Face Serum is suitable for all skin types. It has anti-glycation agents and anti-free radical formulation which helps to reduce the causes of discolouration. The skin is thus healthier and smoother.

Ingredients: Enzyme Couple Ascorbic Acid, Kombuchka, Glycerine, Vitazyme A, Vitazyme C, AA2G, Multifruit Acis, Satiaxane CX91, Vinanza Gold, Grapefruit Phytochemical Extract (GFX), and Chromabright.

Snowberry provides a range of premium, anti-aging skin care created in New Zealand, and was founded by cosmetician, Soraya Hendesi, because she wanted for herself and her family, skin care that she could trust.

Snowberry’s products are distributed by Pure Tincture Boutique. You can buy from their online store or visit their boutique.

The product is awarded a Green Rating of 4 stars based on 10 points in the following 5 criteria (updated on 20 Apr 2012):

Business Sustainability

2. Does the company have a sustainability policy or publish a sustainability report?

The company is committed to caring for the environment and continually examine all their processes to ensure they are selecting recyclable materials, ingredients that are sustainably harvested, manufacturing practices that meet the highest environmental standards, and growing their own bio active ingredients in their own plantation in New Zealand.

4. Has the company taken steps to implement green practices in the office or reduce the environmental impacts from its offices?

The company continually assess every aspect of its operations, including the minimising of waste, energy efficiency policies, and recycling practices of their own manufacturing and that of their packaging partners.

Energy and Climate Change

7. Does the product or service have an energy or carbon-related third party certification or label?

Snowberry is the first New Zealand beauty company to be certified under the carboNZero programme for each of its products.

carboNZero is an internationally accredited greenhouse gas certification programme. This means Snowberry has to measure, manage and offset its carbon emissions and be ‘carbon-neutral’.

9. Does the company measure its energy consumption, carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas emissions?

Snowberry has to measure, manage and offset its carbon emissions and be ‘carbon-neutral’, under the carboNZero certification.

10. Has the company set an energy consumption, carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas reduction target?

Snowberry has to measure, manage and offset its carbon emissions and be ‘carbon-neutral’, under the carboNZero certification.

11. Has the company taken steps towards reducing its energy consumption, carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas emissions?

Snowberry has to measure, manage and offset its carbon emissions and be ‘carbon-neutral’, under the carboNZero certification. Snowberry also has energy efficiency policies for their  manufacturing.

Materials and Waste

19. Has the company taken steps to reduce the material and packaging used for the product, or to reduce the waste generated in the production of the product or service?

One of Snowberry’s philosophy is to look into minimising waste and recycling practices of their manufacturing and that of their packaging partners.

Chemicals and Health

23. Does the product or service use natural ingredients or use no harmful chemicals?

Snowberry products are created mostly from the wilderness and rainforest substances. These natural ingredients include White Peat, Neem, Lingon and Cloud Berry Oils.

Snowberry uses almost entirely, natural herbal oils and herbal extracts sourced from around the world.

25. Has the company taken steps to reduce the chemicals used in the product or service?

Snowberry products do not contain Lauryl Sulphates, Petrochemicals, Propylene or Butylene Glycols, Volatile Alcohol, Artificial Colours, Silicones, Diethanolamine (DEA), and Monoethanolamine (MEA).

Social and Ethical

28. Is the company against animal testing on its product or service?

Snowberry does not test on animals.

“I read the pamphlet that came with the sample and was suitably impressed with their ethos of combining natural ingredients with “scientific advances in skin nutrition… (such as) anti-aging bio actives”, yet without any artificial stuff like silicones and lauryl sulphates. The serum smells somewhat herbal… I vacillate between calling it ‘burnt caramel’ or ‘coffee’, but it is not unpleasant. I took a ‘before’ and ‘after’ picture, and after two weeks of nightly use, my skin’s texture was softer and finer. The little bumps and humps on my forehead have also smoothened out somewhat, with only a short duration of use.”

- Joelle Chen

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Brand: suki

Attributes: No Animal Testing, Non-Toxic

Description: suki Creamy Foaming Cleanser is suitable for all skin types, especially dry and mature skin. It contains anthocyanins and polyphenols (acai oil), gentle alpha anthocyanins and polyphenols (acai oil), and gentle alpha hydroxy acid (apple juice), which neutralizes free radicals, minimizes pore size, removes dirt, dullness and impurities.

Ingredients: Water (aqua), olea europaea (olive) oil, glycerin (vegetable), cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, cyamopsis tetragonoloba (guar) gum, butyrospermum parkii (shea) seed butter, euterpe oleracea (acai) fruit oil, chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower powder, vitis vinifera (grape) seed extract, cocos nucifera (coconut) milk, tocopherols mixed (vitamin e), malus domestica/pyrus malus (apple) fruit extract, aroma fragrance, limonene and linalool.

suki provides natural skin care solutions that suits everyone and all skin types, from babies to pregnant moms as well as men.

suki’s products are distributed by Pure Tincture Boutique. You can buy from their online store or visit their boutique.

The product is awarded a Green Rating of 4 stars based on 8 points in the following 5 criteria (updated on 19 Apr 2012):

Business Sustainability

2. Does the company have a sustainability policy or publish a sustainability report?

suki has an environmental policy and includes their commitment to ingredients, safety, manufacturing, packing and shipping.

4. Has the company taken steps to implement green practices in the office or reduce the environmental impacts from its offices?

suki has various initiatives to reduce their impact on manufacturing, packing and shipping.

Energy and Climate Change

11. Has the company taken steps towards reducing its energy consumption, carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas emissions?

suki’s manufacturing ensures there is virtually no carbon output from their processing.

suki also source local whenever possible, always considering the fuel emissions and travel distances.

Materials and Waste

19. Has the company taken steps to reduce the material and packaging used for the product, or to reduce the waste generated in the production of the product or service?

suki uses as little plastics as possible and uses primarily glass for its products.

Chemicals and Health

23. Does the product or service use natural ingredients or use no harmful chemicals?

All suki products are 100% natural and free of any synthetic ingredients, parabens, coal tar colors, preservatives, genetically modified organisms, and nano-particles. suki source for organic and biodynamic ingredients whenever possible.

25. Has the company taken steps to reduce the chemicals used in the product or service?

suki has their own Innovation Lab that utilises the latest clinically-proven actives from natural resources instead of conventional synthetics that cause topical damage and long term disease.

suki also has a long list of synthetic ingredients which they will never use in their products.

Social and Ethical

27. Does the company have a corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy?

suki has various environmental initiatives to reduce their impact, and also source for fair trade and local ingredients whenever possible.

28. Is the company against animal testing on its product or service?

All suki ingredients are never tested on animals. They also ensure that every supplier adheres to their core philosophy of do no harm. Even the only animal product they use, which is 100% natural beeswax, is bought from farms that do not harm bees or burn hives.

“This cleanser has the ‘zing’ that you get from a freshly peeled lemon, with a light and naturally fruity scent. It’s easy to use, but do read the instructions, you have to lather up between your palms – I had tried to rub it directly on my face, and it didn’t foam up. Compared to drugstore-type cleansers, where I usually have a nagging suspicion that there’s some residual cleanser left on my face, the feeling after washing is truly squeaky clean. After two weeks of regular use, my skin feels cleaner and brighter, and I feel better that I’m not using synthetic chemicals on my face.”

- Joelle Chen

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Brand: MADARA

Attributes: No Animal Testing, Non-Toxic, Organic

Description: MADARA Hair Gloss and Vibrancy Shampoo is suitable for normal hair. It is formulated to calm the scalp, cleanse the hair and prevent dry ends, making your hair strong and shiny.

Ingredients: Aqua, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Glycerin, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glyceryl Laurate, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Sucrose Cocoate, Coco Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Betain, Glycerin, Betula Alba Birch Extract, Lactic Acid,  Chamomilla Recutita Chamomile Extract, Tillia Cordata Linden Flower Extract, Humulus Lupulus Hop Extract, Plantago Major Plantain Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Cranberry Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, and Aroma.

MADARA is a company from Latvia that produces an entirely natural and organic range of cosmetics, which is certified according to the international ECOCERT standard.

MADARA’s products are distributed by Pure Tincture Boutique. You can buy from their online store or visit their boutique.

The product is awarded a Green Rating of 4 stars based on 9 points in the following 5 criteria (updated on 12 Apr 2012):

Business Sustainability

4. Has the company taken steps to implement green practices in the office or reduce the environmental impacts from its offices?

The substances and methods used in MADARA’s production unit are environmentally friendly.

5. Has the company, product or service won any environmental or sustainability awards?

The company won the ‘Latvia’s Greenest Company’ award in 2009 and a certificate of recognition from the European Commission in 2010 for their contribution to the development of environmentally friendly business practice.

Energy and Climate Change

11. Has the company taken steps towards reducing its energy consumption, carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas emissions?

The company uses energy efficient production equipment.

Materials and Waste

19. Has the company taken steps to reduce the material and packaging used for the product, or to reduce the waste generated in the production of the product or service?

MADARA’s packaging can be recycled. ECOCERT also strongly defines packaging requirements – it should be recyclable and environmentally friendly.

Chemicals and Health

23. Does the product or service use natural ingredients or use no harmful chemicals?

MADARA cosmetics contain organically certified natural extracts from plants growing in the Baltic region. The ingredients in MADARA cosmetics come from certified organic farms and approved suppliers.

24. Is the product or service certified organic and have a credible third party certification or label?

MADARA’s products are entirely natural and ecological cosmetics certified according to the international ECOCERT standard. It is a volunteer standard that certifies cosmetic products confirming that at least 95% of ingredients comes from natural origin. The remaining 5% of ingredients are strictly regulated and stand for minerals, organic acids and other substance. ECOCERT prohibits the use of synthetic perfumes, synthetic preservatives like parabens, mineral oil, propylene glycol and other synthetic ingredients. Please find more information here.

25. Has the company taken steps to reduce the chemicals used in the product or service?

Yes, the company has taken steps to reduce the chemicals used in their products. By following the ECOCERT standards, this also means they are permitted to using only five different preservatives in their products and their amount must not exceed 5% of all the ingredients in the product. Please find more information here.

Social and Ethical

28. Is the company against animal testing on its product or service?

Yes the company is against animal testing on its products.

30. Are the company employees involved in community activities or volunteering their time to help the community or the environment?

The company organised the Festival of Good Thoughts and Sensations for the community where visitors can engage in soap making workshops, go to the eco market and take part in the natural fashion show.

“I didn’t really like the smell of the shampoo as it smells like grass. But after understanding that the shampoo contains natural plant extracts, and that it is less toxic than normal shampoos and less harmful to the environment, the smell doesn’t matter any more. What matters is that it does the job of cleaning my hair with less impact to the environment.”

- Eugene Tay

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Brand: MADARA

Attributes: No Animal Testing, Non-Toxic, Organic

Description: MADARA Face Deep Moisture Gel is suitable for oily to combination skin types. It is oil free and helps to regulate excess sebum. It also nourishes the skin with natural plant vitamins, minerals, bioflavonoids and other biologically active substances.

Ingredients: Aqua, Hamamelis Virginiana Witch-Hazel Distillate, Alcohol, Glycerin, Carrageenan, Quercus Robur Oak Bark Extract, Salvia Officinalis Sage Extract, Urtica Dioica Nettle Extract, Plantago Major Plantain Leaf Extract, and Titanium Dioxide CI 77891.

MADARA is a company from Latvia that produces an entirely natural and organic range of cosmetics, which is certified according to the international ECOCERT standard.

MADARA’s products are distributed by Pure Tincture Boutique. You can buy from their online store or visit their boutique.

The product is awarded a Green Rating of 4 stars based on 9 points in the following 5 criteria (updated on 12 Apr 2012):

Business Sustainability

4. Has the company taken steps to implement green practices in the office or reduce the environmental impacts from its offices?

The substances and methods used in MADARA’s production unit are environmentally friendly.

5. Has the company, product or service won any environmental or sustainability awards?

The company won the ‘Latvia’s Greenest Company’ award in 2009 and a certificate of recognition from the European Commission in 2010 for their contribution to the development of environmentally friendly business practice.

Energy and Climate Change

11. Has the company taken steps towards reducing its energy consumption, carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas emissions?

The company uses energy efficient production equipment.

Materials and Waste

19. Has the company taken steps to reduce the material and packaging used for the product, or to reduce the waste generated in the production of the product or service?

MADARA’s packaging can be recycled. ECOCERT also strongly defines packaging requirements – it should be recyclable and environmentally friendly.

Chemicals and Health

23. Does the product or service use natural ingredients or use no harmful chemicals?

MADARA cosmetics contain organically certified natural extracts from plants growing in the Baltic region. The ingredients in MADARA cosmetics come from certified organic farms and approved suppliers.

24. Is the product or service certified organic and have a credible third party certification or label?

MADARA’s products are entirely natural and ecological cosmetics certified according to the international ECOCERT standard. It is a volunteer standard that certifies cosmetic products confirming that at least 95% of ingredients comes from natural origin. The remaining 5% of ingredients are strictly regulated and stand for minerals, organic acids and other substance. ECOCERT prohibits the use of synthetic perfumes, synthetic preservatives like parabens, mineral oil, propylene glycol and other synthetic ingredients. Please find more information here.

25. Has the company taken steps to reduce the chemicals used in the product or service?

Yes, the company has taken steps to reduce the chemicals used in their products. By following the ECOCERT standards, this also means they are permitted to using only five different preservatives in their products and their amount must not exceed 5% of all the ingredients in the product. Please find more information here.

Social and Ethical

28. Is the company against animal testing on its product or service?

Yes the company is against animal testing on its products.

30. Are the company employees involved in community activities or volunteering their time to help the community or the environment?

The company organised the Festival of Good Thoughts and Sensations for the community where visitors can engage in soap making workshops, go to the eco market and take part in the natural fashion show.

“I used the MADARA Face Deep Moisture Gel together with the Deep Purifying Foam and the Deep Clarifying Toner. For a gel, I thought it is light-weight and also easy to apply on the face. Although it was recommended that the gel be used in the morning, I tend to apply this at night. Perhaps, used together with the foam and toner usage, the gel does help to nourish my skin at night.”

- Nor Lastrina Hamid

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