[SSFtags] guidelines


SSFtags: home | guidelines | list

[the concept]

The mission of SSF is to educate, support and inspire people from all walks of life to make more sustainable personal lifestyle choices at home, at work and at play. Officially launched in the fall of 2007, SSFtags is a consumer- and producer-friendly awareness program with an internationally recognized logo that indicates that a product, service, event, project, company or organization, etc. has incorporated sustainability into their efforts in some way.

  • SSFtags encourage and enable consumers to make more sustainable purchasing choices across lifestyle categories, from fashion, food and film to interior design, architecture, travel, music and more
  • SSFtags provide companies and/or organizations with a clear signal to consumers that their product, service, event, project, etc. has incorporated sustainability in some way

To qualify for an SSFtag, applicants must have at least three efforts from the lists below in any category currently underway and documentable. The details of each applicant's sustainability efforts are reflected on their dedicated web page, accessible from the 'List' page on the navigation bar above.

human rights & social compliance environment other business
practices

has product(s) with Industry certification (e.g. SA 8000, Oxfam, Fair Labor, etc.)

all workers receive a living wage

all workers have a right to association

all workers have access to health care

uses no, child, sweatshop, prison or other forced labor

has active, enforced policies (e.g. protection of labor laws, factory monitoring, payroll reviews) to address migrant labor concerns

has active, enforced code of conduct, including global monitoring of human rights and labor conditions

has education programs on social issues (e.g. HIV/AIDS, homelessness, etc.)

is a signatory on voluntary industry standards (e.g. Global Compact, UN Human Rights, etc.)

respects the rights and cultures of indigenous people

has active, enforced diversity and anti-discrimination policies and procedures

extends benefits to same-sex partners

annual report includes information on social compliance/performance

has adopted voluntary standards for business ethics (e.g. Global Sullivan Principles, OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, Principles for Global Corporate Responsibility, etc.)

administers all personnel actions such as compensation, benefits, transfers, layoff, return from layoffs, company-sponsored training, education, social and recreational programs without regard to association, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin

other attribute(s)

has product(s) with industry certification (e.g. Organic, LEED, ISO 14001, etc.)

offers products that contain recycled content, are made with sustainable resources or are recyclable

implements product take-back, recycling or end-of-life management program

incorporates energy conservation efforts

incorporates water conservation efforts

incorporates other resource (e.g. paper) conservation efforts

uses Design for Environment, green design, product stewardship or other lifecycle design

has an active and enforced global warming policy

has envtly friendly purchasing program (buy recycled content items, eco-friendly cleaning products, etc.)

incorporates green building in it’s facilities

is a signatory on voluntary industry standards (e.g. CERES Principles, GRI, etc.)

has active, enforced supplier partnership and/or monitoring

uses no genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) in their product(s)

has policies and programs that respect biological diversity

annual report includes information on environmental performance

other attribute(s)

has programs to purchase from minority- and women-owned businesses

has diversity at board level

included in SRI Fund

utilizes governance structures (creating board/exec. committees, engaging full board/investors) to address and enhance social & environmental responsibility

uses accounting standards and oversight

executive salary commensurate with revenue

has programs and policies to actively engage shareholders in communication and encourage increased shareholder activism

has programs or processes (e.g. AA1000, GRI) to insure active stakeholder engagement

involves youth in governance functions

has a corporate giving program

has programs that provide time and/or compensation to employees for volunteering in the community

has programs to support local businesses

has programs to employ individuals returning to the work force

publicly publishes (e.g. on website, brochures or other collateral) programs and policies relating to social and environmental efforts (other than annual report)

incorporates special programs (e.g. special events, product/service discounts) for seniors

other attribute(s)