Microplastic certifications for real-world products
How microplastic certifications work, what they protect against, and how our documentation-based program fits into the landscape.
What microplastic certifications are trying to solve
Microplastic certifications aim to reduce how much plastic debris consumers ingest, inhale, or absorb from everyday products. The goal is to identify products that are less likely to shed microplastic particles during normal use.
Different programs pursue that goal in different ways. Some focus on laboratory testing of finished products. Others, like Certified Microplastic-Free, focus on independent review of materials, formulations, and manufacturing documentation.
Our certification is built for brands that already invest in safer materials and want a third-party review that confirms those choices for regulators, retailers, and consumers.
How our microplastic certification works
Certified Microplastic-Free uses a documentation-first approach instead of in-house testing. We review bills of materials, supplier declarations, processing information, and any relevant test reports to assess microplastic exposure risk.
- Confirm that the product is in scope and that the submission is complete.
- Review material and supplier documentation for microplastic risk factors.
- Classify each component according to our internal materials and risk framework.
- Determine whether the product is eligible for the Certified Microplastic-Free seal or, in some cases, a lower-risk designation.
For a full step-by-step view of the review workflow, see How Certification Works.
What this means for brands
For manufacturers and brand owners, a microplastic certification is most useful when it is specific, defensible, and easy to explain. Our program is designed to be:
- Documentation-based so there is no conflict of interest from selling testing services.
- Transparent with clear criteria and a written rationale for eligibility decisions.
- Practical so teams can use existing regulatory and quality documentation wherever possible.
If you are considering certification, start with the Certification Criteria, then review the Documentation Requirements and Pricing.
Once those are in place, you can submit a product for review through our Application form.
What this means for consumers
Consumers increasingly want to avoid unnecessary microplastic exposure but often lack reliable information. Our seal is meant to signal three things:
- The product has been reviewed by an independent program focused specifically on microplastic risk.
- The brand has supplied detailed documentation about materials and manufacturing, not just marketing claims.
- The product meets our internal standard for lower microplastic exposure compared with typical alternatives.
For plain-language guidance written for shoppers, see For Consumers and Why Microplastics Matter.
How this compares with other certifications
Microplastic certifications overlap with, but are distinct from, general sustainability or chemical safety labels. Our focus is narrow by design: plastics, polymer additives, and microplastic exposure pathways.
Where relevant, we encourage brands to pair microplastic-focused certification with broader environmental or human health certifications. Our role is to give a focused signal about microplastic risk while staying transparent about what our seal does and does not cover.