The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a nonprofit research and advocacy organization founded in 1993. They're best known for their consumer guides that rate products based on ingredient safety, including the Skin Deep cosmetics database and Guide to Healthy Cleaning.
EWG VERIFIED is their certification mark, indicating products meet their strictest standards:
- Free from EWG's chemicals of concern
- Full transparency - all ingredients disclosed
- Good manufacturing practices followed
- Products made without ingredients linked to serious health harms
EWG's databases and ratings help consumers:
- Skin Deep: Rates cosmetics and personal care products
- Healthy Living: Rates food products
- Guide to Healthy Cleaning: Rates household cleaners
- Tap Water Database: Provides local water quality info
While EWG ratings provide helpful guidance, EWG VERIFIED certification offers the highest assurance that a product meets their comprehensive health criteria.