About Our Standards
OtterList features everything from small-batch makers and artists, to independent brands, to established companies recognized as leaders in sustainability - all carefully chosen to align with our mission of bringing ethical companies together, so shoppers can discover the full spectrum of ethical alternatives in one place.
Every brand on OtterList must meet our core baseline:
- Small & Independent – We partner exclusively with small businesses, independent artists, mom-and-pop shops, and select B-Corporations. You’ll never find large corporations here.
- Non-Toxic & Clean - Products must be made with safe, non-toxic ingredients or materials. Transparency and integrity are essential.
- Mission-Driven or Handmade/Boutique – We look for partners who are actively working toward ethical or sustainable practices or who create in small batches with authentic, handmade, boutique craftsmanship.
From there, brands may also be tagged with additional standards such as Vegan, Eco-Friendly Packaging, Organic, Fair Trade, Allergen-Conscious, and more. These tags make it easy for shoppers to see at a glance what values each brand supports.
To keep OtterList honest, our community plays a key role: shoppers can flag products that don’t seem to align with these values, and we’ll review them to make sure they still belong here.
The ethical and sustainability details shown are provided directly by the brand or taken from publicly available information. While OtterList doesn’t independently verify every claim at this stage, we carefully select partners who share our values and demonstrate transparency in their sourcing, materials, and practices.
Note: Non-vegan products on OtterList must provide clear transparency about their sourcing and treatment practices.
Ingredients
Non-Toxic (Required)
Formulated without commonly flagged harmful chemicals
Organic
Uses organically grown ingredients or materials, with or without formal certification.
Fragrance-Free
Contains no added synthetic or natural fragrances, making it ideal for sensitive skin and scent-sensitive households.
Allergen-Conscious
Made without common allergens such as nuts, soy, dairy, or gluten. Always double-check the brand’s website or packaging for the most up-to-date ingredient information.
Materials
Sustainable Materials
Low-impact materials such as plastic-free, compostable, recycled (≥30% PCR), or renewable fibers (e.g., hemp, cork, FSC wood).
Plastic-Free
Made without any plastic in its materials, helping reduce waste, pollution, and microplastics.
Animal Ethics
Vegan
No animal-derived ingredients. Non-vegan products on OtterList must provide clear transparency about their sourcing and treatment practices.
Cruelty-Free
Not tested on animals at any stage.
Shipping & Packaging
Eco-Friendly Packaging
Packaging is designed to reduce waste — compostable, recyclable, plastic-free, minimal, or made with post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials.
Eco-Friendly Shipping
Shipping methods reduce environmental impact — plastic-free packaging, carbon-conscious delivery practices, or other initiatives that lower the footprint of getting products to customers.
Sourcing & Fairness
Ethically Sourced
Transparent, responsible sourcing and fair labor.
Fair Trade
Certified fair trade or equivalent verification.
Small Batch / Handmade
Produced in limited runs or artisan-made for quality and reduced waste.
Local Sourcing
Ingredients/materials and/or final assembly done locally/regionally to shorten the supply chain.
Brand & Impact
Small Brand
Independent small brand, indie business or mom-and-pop, never a large corporation.
Woman / Minority-Owned
Majority owned/founded by women or under-represented founders.
Gives Back
A portion of proceeds supports social or environmental causes.
Climate-Conscious
Takes meaningful steps to reduce or balance carbon impact (e.g., certified climate/carbon neutral, carbon-reduced operations, or carbon-offset shipping).
