Certification Process
To begin certification, applicants must visit our "Get Certified" page and complete the intake form. This includes providing ingredient disclosures, product category, and intended use. Once submitted, applicants will receive shipping instructions to send a product sample to a qualified independent lab for analysis. Testing is required to confirm the absence of engineered nanomaterials.
Program Rules & Procedure
The Nano-Free Pledge® Certification is built on scientific integrity, transparency, and consumer safety. To maintain that standard, all participating brands must follow our established process:
1. Application Submission
Brands begin by completing our online application form through the Get Certified page. This form gathers essential product details, including full ingredient lists, manufacturing sources, and intended uses.
2.Documentation Review
Our team performs a preliminary assessment of submitted materials to flag any known or suspected nanomaterials. We may request additional documentation, such as SDS (Safety Data Sheets), certificates of analysis, or supplier disclosures.
3. Product Sample Testing
Applicants are required to send a physical sample of the product to an independent lab within our approved testing network. Tests focus on detecting engineered nanomaterials and verifying particle size, distribution, and stability under use conditions.
4. Scientific Evaluation
Lab results are reviewed by our advisory panel of scientific experts. Products are evaluated against our Nano-Free Pledge® criteria, which align with EU safety benchmarks and current toxicological research.
5. Certification Decision
If a product meets our standards, it earns the right to display the Nano-Free Pledge® mark. If not, we provide feedback and allow applicants to reformulate and reapply.
6. Ongoing Compliance
Certified products are subject to periodic reevaluation, especially if formulations change. Brands must commit to transparency and notify us of any updates.
Ongoing Certification & Compliance
Certification with the Nano-Free Pledge® is not a one-time event — it’s an ongoing commitment to transparency and public safety.
- Annual Renewal
Certified products must undergo retesting once per year. At that time, brands may renew their contract and continue using the Nano-Free Pledge® mark. Failure to complete renewal testing will result in temporary suspension of certification status.
- Random Market Testing
To maintain integrity, we conduct random, unannounced testing of certified products currently on the market. This ensures continued compliance and protects consumers from undisclosed changes.
- Violation Policy
If a certified product is found to contain unapproved nanomaterials after receiving the mark — due to reformulation, sourcing changes, or lack of disclosure — the brand will be subject to removal from the program, public notice, and potential legal action. Trust is non-negotiable.
By participating in this program, brands agree to uphold the highest standards of truth, transparency, and accountability. The mark is earned — and must be kept that way.
Eligibility Requirements
Products eligible for Nano-Free Pledge® certification must:
- Not contain any known toxic or intentionally engineered nanomaterials.
- Not contain any nanoparticles whose safety data is incomplete, missing, or inconclusive.
- Be subject to approval based on our review of potential exposure or risk factors.
- Fall within approved categories (e.g., personal care, food, supplements, textiles).
- Provide a complete ingredient list with full transparency.
Nano-formulated or undisclosed nano-ingredient products are automatically disqualified.
Testing Methodology
All product samples are tested by ISO-accredited third-party laboratories. Testing includes advanced analytical techniques (such as electron microscopy, spectroscopy, and particle size distribution) to detect and verify the absence of nanoscale materials. Only products that meet our established safety thresholds qualify for the Nano-Free Pledge® mark.
Annual Renewal & Retesting
Certified products are subject to mandatory annual retesting for continued compliance. Clients will be contacted prior to expiration and offered a renewal option. Failure to complete retesting or provide updated documentation will result in certification expiration and removal of mark usage rights. In addition to scheduled retesting, Nano-Free Pledge® conducts random unannounced spot-checks of certified products in the marketplace. Products found to contain undeclared nanomaterials may have their certification revoked immediately.
Transparency & Violations
Clients must maintain strict ingredient transparency. If a certified product is later found to contain engineered nanomaterials — whether by reformulation or omission — Nano-Free Pledge® reserves the right to:
-Revoke certification without refund
-Publicly delist the product
-Notify consumers and retail partners if necessary
Trust is the core of our promise. Violations of transparency damage public health and will be addressed firmly.
Use of the Nano-Free Pledge® Mark
Certified products may display the Nano-Free Pledge® registered mark on:
-Packaging and labels
-Online storefronts and product listings
-Advertising, social media, and promotional materials
The mark must only be used in association with the certified product. Misuse or misleading application of the mark is prohibited and grounds for removal.
Confidentiality & Intellectual Property
All submitted information, including formulations, ingredient data, and lab results, is treated as confidential. Nano-Free Pledge® does not share proprietary client data without explicit permission. Our testing process and results are used exclusively for internal verification and certification.
Termination & Appeals
Certification may be terminated for:
-Discovery of unapproved nanomaterials
-Failure to complete retesting or provide required documentation
-Misuse of the certification mark
Clients will be notified of termination with a summary of the reason. Appeals can be submitted in writing and will be reviewed by our compliance team. Re-certification may be possible after corrective action and verification.
For questions about this program or the certification process, please contact us directly on our contact us page.