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• Become a member of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) where company is headquartered;

• Provide the BBB with information regarding company ownership and management and the street address and telephone number at which they do business, which may be verified by the BBB in a visit to the company's physical premises;

• Be in business a minimum of one year (an exception can be made if a new business is a spin-off or a division of an existing business, which is known to and has a positive track record with the BBB);

• Have a satisfactory complaint handling record with the BBB;

• Agree to participate in the BBB's advertising self-regulation program, and correct or withdraw online advertising when challenged by the BBB and found not to be substantiated or not in compliance with BBB children's advertising guidelines;

• Agree to abide by the BBB Code of Online Business Practices, and to cooperate with any BBB request for modification of a website to bring it into accordance with the Code;

• Respond promptly to all consumer complaints;

• Agree to dispute resolution, at the consumer's request, for unresolved disputes involving consumer products or services.

For more information on the Better Business Bureau Online, visit the BBB Online Website.

Co-op America's Business Seal of Approval

Green Business

Co-op America is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to harnessing the economic power of consumers, investors and businesses to promote social justice and environmental sustainability.

One way they do this is to help responsible consumers and green businesses find each other in the marketplace. Businesses displaying the Co-op America Seal of Approval have successfully completed Co-op America's screening process and have been approved to be listed as a socially and environmentally responsible —or green—business in the National Green Pages™ directory.

As a consumer, you can feel confident that business bearing this seal operate in ways that support workers, communities, and protect the environment.

Screening Process

To become a member of the Co-op America Business Network, businesses submit an application, or are pre-qualified by Co-op America's Screening Team.

The Screening Team, which is appointed by and reports to Co-op America's board of directors, investigates each applying company to determine: 1) its familiarity with and commitment to social and environmental responsibility, and 2) significant action in terms of this commitment. Our research team also seeks independent data to verify company information.

Specifically, to be qualified to be listed in the National Green Pages™, companies must demonstrate that they:

• Focus on using business as a tool for positive social change.

• Are "values-driven," as well as profit-driven.

• Are socially and environmentally responsible in the way they source, manufacture, and market their products and run their offices and factories.

• Are committed to and employ extraordinary and innovative practices that benefit: 1) workers, 2) communities, 3) customers, and 4) the environment.

Co-op America Green Business Pledge

Healthgoods conducts business according to standards that reach beyond contemporary practices in addressing the needs of consumers, employees, the community and the environment. We certify and can demonstrate that we strive to operate in a socially just and environmentally sustainable manner.

For more information on Coop America, visit the Coop America Website.

Water Quality Association

The Water Quality Association (WQA) is a not-for-profit international trade association representing the household, commercial, industrial, and small community water treatment industry. WQA maintains a close dialogue with other organizations representing different aspects of the water industry in order to best serve consumers, government officials, and industry members. WQA is a resource and information source, a voice for the industry, an educator for professionals, a laboratory for product testing, and a communicator to the public.

The Water Quality Association is dedicated to promoting the highest principles of honesty, integrity, fair dealing and professionalism in the water quality improvement industry. It is equally dedicated to preserving the consuming public's right to quality water. A Code of Ethics sets standards of conduct for industry members in their dealings with their customers, among themselves, with members of related industries, and the public at large. The WQA provides various educational materials, seminars and certification programs. Healthgoods actively participates in water quality education through the Water Quality Association and has a Certified Water Quality Specialist (CWS) on staff.

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Organic Trade Association

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for the organic industry in North America. OTA’s mission is to promote and protect organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public, and the economy. OTA envisions organic products becoming a significant part of everyday life, enhancing people's lives and the environment.

OTA draws together all segments of the organic industry to share information, create standards of excellence and promote organic products. OTA is a proud member of The International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM).

Advancing Organic Standards
OTA is a leader in advocating and protecting organic standards so that consumers can have confidence in certified organic products.  With input from its diverse membership, OTA continues to develop and refine organic standards for emerging product areas. OTA serves as the industry watchdog of government agencies, takes positions on legislation that affects organic agriculture and products, and represents the industry to regulators, elected-officials, and international bodies.

Proving the Benefits
In 2002, OTA established The Organic Center to support scientific research about the benefits of organic agriculture and its products to human health. The Organic Center is an independent, 501(c)(3) organization. More information may be found at www.organic-center.org.

For more information on the Organic Trade Association, visit the Organic Trade Association Website.

 

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