What is Made Safe Certification and Does it Mean Non-Toxic?

In a world where consumer products are increasingly filled with synthetic (and often toxic) ingredients, it's often challenging to figure out what items are safe for you, your family, and the environment.

Enter Made Safe®  - a seal of approval designed to make it easier to identify genuinely non-toxic products.

But is the label legit, or just another example of greenwashing?

In this article, we'll delve into what Made Safe certification is, the rigorous criteria products must meet to earn this label, the benefits to consumers, the types of products that can carry this label, and how to verify if a product is Made Safe certified.

What is Made Safe?

Made Safe is a nonprofit organization founded in 2016 by Amy Ziff, a journalist, entrepreneur, and parent.

The organization aims to change the way products are made in the United States to prioritize health and safety.

Primarily, the Made Safe label certifies that a product is non-toxic to humans, animals, aquatic life, or the environment.

The Founder's Story

As a concerned parent, Amy was shocked to find out how toxic some of the materials used in everyday products really are (something we've mentioned on TheRoundup many times).

When AMY noticed her own kids experiencing allergic reactions to many synthetic household items, she felt the need to create an accessible yet trusted source of information for the average consumer.

She wanted a way for consumers to easily tell that a product has been made without known behavioral toxins, developmental toxins, reproductive toxins, neurotoxins - or basically anything else that can harm our health.

Criteria for Made Safe Certification

Ingredient Screening

1. Banned and Restricted Substances: The first step involves screening products for over 6,500 substances that are either banned or restricted. This list is far more comprehensive than those maintained by the FDA and EPA in the U.S. and even surpasses the European Union's list of restricted substances.
2. Types of Toxins Screened:
   • Mind-Altering Behavioral Toxins: Substances that can affect behavior and mental health.
   • Cancer-Causing Agents: Compounds known to contribute to the development of cancer.
   • Growth and Development Inhibitors: Chemicals that can interfere with normal physical and mental development.
   • Hormone System Interferers: Substances that can disrupt the endocrine system, affecting hormone balance.
   • Combustion Inhibitors: Chemicals often used as fire retardants that can be harmful.
   • Toxic Metals: Heavy metals like lead and mercury that pose health risks.
   • Nerve-Damaging Compounds: Substances that can harm the nervous system.
   • High-Risk Pesticides: Pesticides that pose significant health or environmental risks.
   • Reproductive Health Offenders: Chemicals that can affect fertility and reproductive health.
   • Dangerous Solvents: Solvents that are toxic when inhaled or come into contact with skin.
   • Air-Polluting VOCs: Volatile Organic Compounds that can contribute to indoor air pollution.

Manufacturing Transparency

1. Full Disclosure: Companies are required to disclose every substance and process involved in the formulation of the product. This goes beyond just listing the ingredients on the packaging.
2. Supply Chain Verification: Companies must gather and submit extremely detailed ingredient information and specifications, including where they are sourced from.

Contextual Evaluation

1. Usage Context: Every ingredient is evaluated in the context in which it will be used. For example, an ingredient that is safe for topical use may not be safe for ingestion.
2. Environmental Impact: The Made Safe testing criteria also consider the ecological footprint of the ingredient and the final product, including its impact on waterways, soil, and air quality.

If a product fails any stage of the testing, the brand or manufacturer will be asked to reformulate the product before accreditation is issued.

Source: https://madesafe.org/pages/certification-process

Comparison with Other Certifications

Made Safe stands out from other popular eco-labels like USDA Organic, EWG Verified, Fair Trade, OEKO-TEX, and GreenGuard Gold in several ways:

Made Safe vs. OEKO-TEX

1. Scope: While OEKO-TEX primarily focuses on textiles, Made Safe covers a broader range of products, including cosmetics, household items, and baby gear.
2. Chemical Screening: Made Safe screens for over 6,500 harmful substances, which is generally more comprehensive than OEKO-TEX's list.
3. Transparency: Made Safe requires full disclosure of all ingredients and manufacturing processes, whereas OEKO-TEX focuses more on the end product.
4. Consumer Focus: Both these labels aim to help consumers make safer choices, but Made Safe's seal is designed to be more user-friendly and easier to understand.

Made Safe vs. GreenGuard Gold

1. Target: GreenGuard Gold primarily focuses on low-emitting products and is often used for furniture and building materials. Made Safe has a broader scope, including personal care products and textiles.
2. Chemical Screening: GreenGuard Gold focuses on limiting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and emissions, while Made Safe screens for a wide range of harmful substances, including VOCs, carcinogens, and endocrine disruptors.
3. Environmental Impact: Both certifications consider the environmental impact of products, but Made Safe goes a step further by evaluating the ecological footprint of each ingredient and the final product.
4. Consumer Focus: Like OEKO-TEX, GreenGuard Gold is more specialized and may require consumers to have some knowledge of emissions and indoor air quality. Made Safe aims to be more accessible to the average consumer.

Limitations of Made Safe

1. Not a Guarantee of Efficacy: While Made Safe ensures that a product is made without known toxic chemicals. However, it doesn't necessarily attest to the product's effectiveness.
2. Not an Organic Label: Made Safe does not guarantee that a product is made from organic materials. For this, you need to look for the GOTS or GOLS labels.
3. Cost Barrier: The rigorous certification process can be costly for manufacturers, not just in terms of the upfront cost but also (potentially) the need to reformulate their product. This may deter smaller companies from signing up for the process.
4. Does Not Test for Allergens: The nontoxic certification tests that a product is made with safe ingredients, but does not account for individual allergies. An ingredient may be considered safe in general but could still cause allergic reactions in some people.
5. Limited Scope: While Made Safe screens for a broad range of harmful substances, it may not cover newly discovered toxins or those not yet widely recognized as harmful.

Benefits to the Consumer

1. Healthier Choices: The Made Safe label is designed to give you confidence that a product is created without toxic substances known or suspected to harm human health.
2. Environmental Impact: The ingredient assessment stages also give you a good indication that a product has been manufactured in an environmentally responsible way.
3. Peace of Mind: The seal takes the guesswork out of choosing non-toxic products, making it easier for you to make informed decisions.

Types of Products That Can Carry the Label

Made Safe began by certifying nontoxic beauty products but has since expanded its portfolio to include:

Baby Gear

From strollers to bottles, whether you're searching for non-toxic kids' bedding or need to know what the safest baby crib mattress is - you can have confidence that baby gear that carries the Made Safe label is designed to be free from harmful chemicals that could adversely affect a child's health and development.

Bedding

Considering we spend about a third of our lives sleeping, it's crucial to choose bedding that's free from toxic substances. Made Safe certified bedding products include nontoxic mattresses, pillows, and sheets that are free from harmful fire retardants, heavy metals, and other toxic substances.

Cosmetics

The skin absorbs a significant amount of what we put on it. Made Safe certified cosmetics, including nontoxic makeup and skincare products, are formulated without harmful solvents, endocrine disruptors, and carcinogens.

Clothing & Fashion

All sustainable clothing companies with the Made Safe seal are manufactured without the use of toxic dyes, harmful pesticides in natural fibers, or dangerous chemicals used in synthetic materials.

Household Items

This category includes chemical-free cleaning products, as well as non-replenishing products such as kitchenware, dinnerware, and even furniture. Made Safe ensures that these products are free from harmful VOCs, toxic solvents, and other dangerous chemicals.

Personal Care

From shampoos to toothpaste, personal care products that are Made Safe certified are formulated without substances that can harm your health, such as phthalates, parabens, and synthetic fragrances.

Pet Products

Pet food, dog toys, and grooming products can carry the label, ensuring they are free from substances that could harm your pets.

Case Studies

There are several brands we've reviewed and recommended at TheRoundup that have received the Made Safe® certification. These include:

1. Naturepedic: Specializes in mattresses, mattress accessories, and bedding that is free from harmful chemicals.
2. Avocado: Home furnishings, mattresses, bedding, and accessories that are certified organic and non-toxic.
3. Healthy Baby: Produces biodegradable wet wipes and other sustainable baby products that are both effective and eco-friendly.

How to Check for Made Safe Certified Products

To verify if a product is Made Safe certified, you can:

1. Look for the Seal: The Made Safe seal is usually prominently displayed on the packaging.
2. Visit the Made Safe Website: The organization maintains a list of certified companies on its website.
3. Check Product Documentation: Certificates or other forms of documentation are often available online or upon request from the manufacturer.

Conclusion

The Made Safe label is a valuable tool for consumers looking to make healthier and more sustainable choices.

We started by asking whether Made Safe is legit, and I can confidently conclude by saying YES.

They have a robust set of criteria that goes far beyond some other labels, and the fact that it's a nonprofit organization means they are not incentivized to give accreditation to brands that don't deserve it.

While no eco-certification is perfect (yet) I consider Made Safe to be one of the better ones. When they say a product is safe, I generally have confidence that it genuinely is.

By supporting the label and using it to help guide your decisions when buying sustainable products, you can help to make sure your home - and the world as a whole - is a safer place.