How We Verify Products
Not all of our filters are verified the same way. We use a three-tier system — and we think you deserve to know exactly what each tier means before you rely on a tag.
The Confidence Score
Every filter tag on every product has a confidence score between 0 and 1. A score of 1.0 means we verified it directly against a government or third-party database. A score of 0.70 means we found credible brand documentation. Below 0.70, the tag doesn't appear publicly.
Live Government & Registry Databases
Highest confidence — 0.90 to 0.97
We query official databases directly. These are the most reliable verifications we perform.
- ⚡Energy StarEPA Product Finder API
We match by exact model number against the EPA's Energy Star Product Finder database. If the model number isn't in the EPA database, the tag doesn't appear. This is our most verifiable filter — minimum confidence threshold 0.95.
- 🌿USDA OrganicUSDA Organic Integrity Database
We query the USDA's live Organic Integrity Database by brand name and certificate number. Only Tier 1 (100% Organic) and Tier 2 (Organic, 95%+) certifications qualify. "Made with Organic" claims do not.
- 🚨FDA Recall CheckopenFDA API
Every product is checked against the FDA's recall database before any tags are displayed. Active Class I or II recalls suppress all filter tags regardless of other scores. This runs on every product, for every filter, every time.
Third-Party Certification Registries
High confidence — 0.80 to 0.92
We cross-reference against official certification body registries. These are independent third parties with their own audit requirements.
- 🐰Cruelty-FreeLeaping Bunny Registry
We check against the Leaping Bunny certified brand database — the gold standard for cruelty-free verification, requiring independent audits and supply chain checks.
- 🌱Non-GMONon-GMO Project Database
We verify against the Non-GMO Project's product database. Products must test below 0.9% GMO threshold. USDA Organic certification also qualifies since organic regulations prohibit GMOs.
- ♻️SustainableB Corp + FSC + Climate Neutral
We check the B Corp directory, FSC certified products database, and Climate Neutral registry. A brand must appear in at least one of these to qualify. Generic "eco-friendly" claims without certification do not.
Brand Claim Confidence Scoring
Moderate confidence — 0.70 to 0.79
For some filters, no central registry exists. We analyze product descriptions, brand documentation, and packaging claims using a confidence scoring system. We are transparent that this tier represents brand claims, not independent verification.
- 🇺🇸Made in USA
No federal registry of Made in USA products exists. We analyze product titles, descriptions, and brand documentation for FTC-standard unqualified claims. "Designed in USA" and "Assembled in USA" do not qualify. FTC enforcement history is checked for known violators.
- 🚫BPA-Free
Products made from stainless steel, borosilicate glass, or food-grade silicone score 0.90 — these materials contain no bisphenols by composition. NSF-certified products score 0.95. Generic BPA-free claims without material verification score 0.65 and require manual review before the tag appears.
- 🐾Pet Safe
No single "pet safe" certification exists. We apply a composite check: AAFCO nutritional adequacy for food products, toxic ingredient screening, BPA-free material verification for food-contact items, and FDA recall status. Minimum threshold is 0.80 — higher than most filters — because of the health stakes.
What We Don't Do
- ✗We do not accept payment from brands for filter tags or placement.
- ✗We do not display tags based on affiliate commission rates.
- ✗We do not show products with active FDA Class I or II recalls.
- ✗We do not display a tag if the confidence score is below the threshold for that filter — even if we believe the product probably qualifies.
Found a wrong tag?
Certifications change. Brands reformulate. If you find a product displaying a tag it shouldn't carry — or missing one it should have — please let us know. We investigate all reports within 48 hours.
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