EWG VERIFIED™ Frequently Asked Questions

What is the EWG VERIFIED™ program?

EWG VERIFIED™ is a trademark licensing program that follows a published set of health standards independently developed by EWG's research team. EWG VERIFIED is a mark consumers can trust. The program is grounded in science and backed by EWG’s decades of expertise assessing consumer products for health and safety.

With thousands of products on the market, it can be overwhelming to know which ones are safer and healthier for your family. The EWG VERIFIED mark lets consumers make healthy purchasing choices more easily. When consumers see the mark in product aisles, they know that products bearing it are free from EWG's chemicals of concern and meet our strictest criteria for transparency and healthfulness.

How do I contact EWG?

How long does it take to become EWG VERIFIED?

The verification process is a two-step process: The first part is an initial review of a company’s submission materials, which takes approximately four weeks. If the product is eligible to move forward in the verification process, the company will be required to submit documents to prove that their product complies with any applicable restrictions.

Once all of the necessary substantiation documents have been submitted, the second round of review begins, and it takes about six weeks. At the end of this review, we will inform the company whether their product has been approved or is ineligible for licensing, or whether we need more documentation in order to complete our review.

How much does it cost to become EWG VERIFIED?

Costs for participation vary widely, generally on a sliding scale, based on factors such as company size and stage of development. Typical fees include an application fee, and annual licensing fee.

Revenue generated by the EWG VERIFIED licensing program helps to support the assessment process necessary to determine whether products meet EWG's health standards. It also helps ensure that as a nonprofit, EWG can continue its critical research and mission.

Where can I find the full set of criteria used to determine eligibility for the EWG VERIFIED program?

The complete criteria for product eligibility can be downloaded here:

Where can I find EWG’s list of unacceptable ingredients?

EWG compiled a list of ingredients that are unacceptable in products, based on a variety of health, ecotoxicity and/or contamination concerns. Here are the full lists for each product category:

Where can I find the list of restricted ingredients?

EWG's restricted list is based on restrictions set by authoritative and industry bodies. The restrictions include but are not limited to concentration, use and contamination. Here are the full lists of ingredients restricted for each product category:

Where can I find the list of dyes and pigments acceptable in baby diapers?

The full list of acceptable dyes and pigments can be downloaded here.

How often does EWG review and update the criteria and unacceptable and restricted lists of ingredients? What happens if a change affects my product's compliance with EWG's program?

EWG reviews and updates the criteria and the unacceptable and restricted lists every two years to reflect the latest in science, regulations and other relevant considerations.

If changes made to these lists affect a product's compliance, companies have 18 months to make the necessary formula and packaging. After the 18-month period, companies may no longer put the EWG VERIFIED mark on products it manufactures or distributes products that do not comply with the new unacceptable or restricted lists.

My company has reformulated a product bearing the EWG VERIFIED mark. Do we need to go through the verification process again?

Yes. The EWG VERIFIED mark a product carries is specific to that formulation. If the formulation changes, the product must be be resubmitted for verification. If you have further questions, contact [email protected].

My company makes a product whose formulation includes a proprietary ingredient. Is it eligible for the EWG VERIFIED mark?

No. One of the criteria for EWG's verification is complete ingredient disclosure. To be eligible for the EWG VERIFIED mark, products must fully disclose all ingredients on the label, including those used in fragrance and flavor mixtures and chemicals used to coat mineral ingredients.

Are all SPF products, including sunscreens, eligible for EWG VERIFIED?

Recreational sunscreens as well as certain personal care products that provide sun protection, such as moisturizers and lip balms with SPF, are eligible for EWG VERIFIED.

What types of cosmetics and personal care products are eligible for the EWG VERIFIED mark? Are there categories of products that are not eligible?

Products in any of these categories may be eligible for the mark:

See the complete list of eligible product types in the criteria document here.

Some product categories are not currently eligible for the EWG VERIFIED mark. They are outlined in the full criteria document here.