Independent, not self-declared
A third party reviewed the formulation, not the brand's own marketing team. That is the difference between a claim and a certification.
Certification
How certificationworks.
CertClean is an independent, ingredient-focused certification. Every ingredient in a product is screened against a published standard of more than 1,400 restricted chemicals. Products that clear it earn a certificate and the right to carry the seal — renewed each year, not granted once.
Why it matters
What the seal tells a shopper
Clean, natural, green, non-toxic — the beauty industry uses these words inconsistently, and shoppers have learned to discount them. Certification replaces a self-declared claim with an independent one that can be checked.
Every ingredient, by name
Each line of the INCI list is matched to its canonical identity and screened against the standard. Every unique ingredient is reviewed.
The same bar for every brand
The same restricted list is applied to every brand, the same way. It evolves as the evidence does, and certified brands are told when it changes.
Renewed, not granted once
The licence is annual. A product carries the seal only while its formulation still clears the standard and the licence is active.
The program
Ingredient screening, not a marketing claim
CertClean is an independent, ingredient-focused certification. We match each line of a formulation to its INCI identity, screen it against our restricted-substance list, and issue a certificate only when every ingredient clears — renewed each year, not granted once.
What we check
- Full ingredient disclosure (INCI)
- Match to canonical ingredient identity (INCI / CAS / EC where available)
- Screening against CertClean’s restricted list — approved, conditional, or not approved
- Supporting documentation for conditional ingredients when required
What we don’t
- Efficacy or performance
- Sustainability or environmental impact
- Whether a product is natural or organic
- Allergy potential or suitability for a given skin type
- Absolute safety or medical outcomes
The standard restricts substances that may include endocrine disruptors, carcinogens, reproductive toxins, persistent environmental pollutants, and other substances restricted under CertClean standards. Certification means the product met CertClean’s ingredient standard on the date it was assessed. It is not a guarantee that the product will work for every shopper, or that every excluded ingredient is uniquely dangerous at cosmetic doses — it is a standard-setting decision, made public and applied consistently.
For brands
What that means for your brand
A statement you can make plainly and back up — “screens products for over 1,400 harmful chemicals” — on packaging as the seal, in CertClean's certified directory as your own brand and product pages, and on a certificate you can hand to a retailer. Shoppers who look for third-party verification find you; retailers who ask for it have their answer.
Process
The assessment, step by step
One open assessment at a time. The portal always shows whose turn it is — yours or ours. Most straightforward assessments are reviewed within 5 business days of a complete, paid submission.
- 01
Create your account and brand
Register, add company details, and start an assessment in the portal. Each consumer-facing brand has its own account.
- 02
Upload formulations and pay the assessment fee
Submit a spreadsheet of products and full INCI ingredient lists. The system matches ingredients to our database and flags anything it cannot resolve. One fee per assessment round, not per product. Review starts once it is paid.
- 03
Ingredient review
You confirm or correct matches. We review each unique ingredient once against the standard, and each lands in one of three places: approved, conditional, or not approved. Conditional ingredients need supplier documentation before they can clear.
- 04
Sign the licence and receive your certificate
E-sign the seal licence agreement and start the annual licence. Only approved products appear on the agreement. Download your certificate and use the seal while the licence stays active.
Three outcomes for every ingredient
Nothing is judged at the product level until every ingredient has been placed.
Approved
Clears the standard as disclosed. Nothing for you to do.
Conditional
Clears only with more information, typically supplier documentation, percentage in the formulation, or how the ingredient is derived.
Not approved
Restricted under the standard. Any product containing it is not certified in this round. Other products in the same assessment are unaffected.
Eligibility
Who can apply
Four product categories are currently eligible.
- Skincare
- Creams, gels, oils, balms, butters, moisturizers, serums, and lotions.
- Odour care
- Deodorants and body odour products. Antiperspirants are not eligible.
- Wash products
- Shower gels, soaps, bath oils, bath bombs, body scrubs, shampoo, hair products, and makeup removers.
- Cosmetics
- Lipsticks, eyeshadow, facial powder, foundation, BB/CC cream, bronzer, concealer, blush, mascara, eyeliners, and nail polish.
Never certified
Excluded by the standard itself — not expected to become eligible.
- Aerosol-based products
- Antiperspirants
- Products containing nanoparticles (less than 100 nm)
- Products containing plastic microbeads
The full list of categories currently in and out of scope is in the eligibility pack below.
Fees
What it costs
Fees are per brand, not per product. The same whether you certify three products or thirty.
There are two payments: one when the assessment begins, and one each year the licence stays active. A later round of new or reformulated products is a smaller one-time fee, and the annual licence does not change.
Current rates are held through December 31, 2026. Full fee schedule below.
Get the full fee schedule
Plus every category in and out of scope, and the checklist we assess against.
Questions
Common questions
Is this the same as the Clean Beauty Awards?
No. Certification screens ingredients against CertClean’s standard. The Awards judge performance and user experience. A product can be certified, enter the Awards, both, or neither.
Do you test products in a lab?
No. We assess disclosed formulations against our ingredient standard. We do not run efficacy, dermatological, or laboratory product tests.
How long does it take?
Most straightforward assessments are reviewed within 5 business days of a complete, paid submission. The two things that add time are INCI names the system cannot resolve and conditional ingredients waiting on supplier documentation — both are in the brand’s hands, so brands that prepare those up front tend to finish fastest.
What if one ingredient fails?
That product is not certified in this round; other products in the same assessment are unaffected. You see the outcome per ingredient, so you know exactly what would need to change. Most brands do not certify every SKU on the first pass — reformulating and reopening a later assessment is normal.
Can I certify only some of my SKUs?
Yes. Only approved products appear on the licence and earn the seal.
Will the standard change after I’m certified?
Yes, standards evolve. Material changes are communicated; ongoing commitment to the criteria is part of eligibility. Renewal assumes continued compliance.