Restricted Materials
Powered by People is committed to working with socially and environmentally responsible partners. As part of our Code of Conduct (CoC), all makers shall ensure that they comply with our requirements on the Restricted Materials and Restricted Substance lists. The goal is to respond to the needs and challenges of independent makers with simple and straightforward requirements and provide cost-effective tools and resources to support livelihoods while ensuring a do no harm approach to sustainable compliance.
Must be Transparent: The supplier must be collaborative with Powered by People and its third-party partners to provide all the information necessary to determine whether they comply with our CoC. Our CoC is a living document that we update regularly to keep on top of emerging regulation and leading practices. It is based on industry-recognized principles and standards.
Endangered Species + Animal Welfare: Products shall not contain materials sourced from endangered species both in flora or fauna. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), is an international agreement between governments which aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species. Makers should comply with the standards stated in the CITES Convention Text. Additionally, materials produced by species included in the International Union for Nature Conservation (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, or classified with the status “endangered”, shall not be used in goods. Animal welfare practices shall comply with WOAH development of animal welfare standards.
Terms:
“shall” indicates a requirement
“should” indicates a recommendation
“may” indicates a permission
“can” indicates a possibility or a capability
Material
Restricted
Resources
Animal Fur
Real fur in products shall not be used unless it is a co-product or by-product of the meat industry.
Angora
Products shall not contain Angora wool from Angora rabbits due to live plucking and shearing and a lack of universal standard.
Insight into the practice of unethical Angora production and a lack of regulatory standards
Endangered Species, Horn, Bone, Exotic Skins
Products shall not contain materials sourced from endangered species.
Horn and bone shall not be used unless it is sourced as a by-product or co-product of the meat industry.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), is an international agreement between governments which aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species. The International Union for Nature Conservation (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, or classified with the status “endangered”, shall not be used in goods.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora (CITES)
International Union for Nature Conservation (IUCN) Red
List of Threatened Species
Leather
Products made of leather shall be sourced as a by-product or co-product of the meat industry.
Country of origin which cattle leather is sourced from should be stated. Makers should comply with established standards by The Leather Working Group (LWG) to reduce negative impacts on the environment and promote animal welfare.
Products made of leather must be sourced as a by-product or co-product of the meat industry. The sourcing and production of leather must abide by pertinent environmental standards. Country of origin of cattle leather is sourced from should be stated. Makers should comply with established standards by The Leather Working Group (LWG) to reduce negative impacts on the environment.
The Leather Working Group (LWG)
Animal Fibers
Sourcing and producing virgin animal fibres should comply with established standards relevant to animal welfare and environmental impacts such as by The Textile Exchange.
Wool is a fibre that comes from the hair of the sheep. Makers using wool in products should comply with The Responsible Wool Standard (RWS).
Alpaca fleece is a fibre produced by an alpaca. Makers using alpaca in products should comply with The Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS).
Mohair is a fibre that comes from the hair of the Angora goat. Makers using mohair in products should comply with The Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS).
Cashmere is a fibre that comes from goats. Makers using cashmere in products should comply with The Good Cashmere Standard (GCS), an independent standard which aims to promote sustainability and improve animal welfare.
Yak wool fibres come from yaks, a relative of cows. Makers should comply with responsible wool standards regarding environmental and animal welfare during the sourcing, processing and production of virgin animal fibres.
Makers using feathers and/or down in products should comply with standards implemented by The Textile Exchange. We support recycled Animal fibre use.
The Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) [PDF]
The Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS) [PDF]
The Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS) [PDF]
The Good Cashmere Standard (GCS) [PDF]
No Yak specific standard exists, so recommended reference is wool
standard.
The Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) [PDF]
Wood + Fibers
Makers with timber products should comply with established standards and sourcing principles to reduce environmental impact, such as deforestation.
Products shall not contain endangered flora species such as Ebony, Rosewood, Mahogany, African Teak or others as indicated in CITES.
Makers with timber products should comply with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) International Standard.
Packaging should consider environmental impacts to protect Ancient and Endangered Forests and deliver truly sustainable packaging solutions.
Textile Fibers
The sourcing of textile fibres and fabrics should comply with established environmental standards.
Cotton
Makers should comply with The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI).
Cellulosic fibres shall not be sourced from endangered species, ancient
forests or protected areas. Makers should use organic cotton where possible
inline with standards such as GOTS as it is proven to cause less environmental
damage than conventional cotton.
No cotton shall not be sourced from Xinjiang region of China.
Man Made Cellulosic Fibres: Lyocell & Modal
Makers should use Lyocell and Modal fibres to promote sustainable processes
and products. FSC viscose should be used where possible.
Cotton standards
Better Cotton Initiative [PDF]
Organic cotton standards. PBP recommends organic cotton over conventional cotton where possible
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) [PDF]
Cellulosic fibres shall not be sourced from endangered species, ancient forests or protected areas. Viscose has negative impacts on the environmental based processes and alternatives are recommended.
Feathers + Down
Products shall not use feather and down from geese and ducks unless it is sourced as a by-product or co-product of the meat industry and animals shall not be live-plucked or force-fed. Makers comply with animal welfare standards.
Makers using feathers and/or down in products should comply with The Responsible Down Standard (RDS), animal welfare standards implemented by The Textile Exchange.
The Responsible Down Standard (RDS) [PDF]
Plastics + Resin
Makers should use up cycled or recycled plastics over virgin plastic usage.
Products shall not contain PVC
Including as a raw material ingredient such as in polymer clays
Recommended Alternatives to PVC: Recycled PU, Natural rubber or latex.
Shall not contain Melamine
Shall not contain microbeads.
Shall not contain Polyester Resins. Makers should avoid epoxy
resins.
Silicone resins are less toxic alternatives.
Should not include oil-based synthetics such as polyesters,
polyamides.
Article on the negative environmental impacts of PVC
Metals
Products shall not contain metals on the restricted substances list such as nickel, lead, cadmium etc.
Gemstones
Makers shall manage material supply to ensure responsible mining standards and product disclosures including social and environmental impact and shall not procure materials from conflict regions.
Resources around social and environmental impacts including conflict regions
Apothecary
Shall not contain banned ingredients including:Benzalkonium Chloride, Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), Coal tar, Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA),
Ethanolamines (MEA/DEA/TEA), Formaldehyde, Hydroquinone, Methylisothiazolinone and methylchloroisothiazolinone, Oxybenzone, Parabens (methyl-,
isobutyl-, propyl- and others), Phthalates (DBP, DEHP, DEP and others), Polyethylene glycol (PEG compounds), Retinyl palmitate (Vitamin A Palmitate),
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS and SLES), Undisclosed Synthetic flavor or fragrance, Toluene, Triclosan and Triclocarban
Shall not contain plastic microbeads.
Shall not contain nanomaterials.
Shall be cruelty-free
Palm Oil should follow ESG responsible farming practice of Palm Oil industry standards including but not limited to land rights, forest, soil, waste, and pesticides management.
Banned cosmetics ingredients in US
FDA
Banned cosmetics ingredients in EU
Cosing (EU)
Good resource on toxic ingredients in the beauty industry
Beautycounter Never List
Good resource on toxic ingredients rated in personal care products
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
By-products are defined as “incidental or secondary product made in the
manufacture or synthesis of something else”
For example, ankole longhorn sourced as a byproduct from the cattle food
industry.
Co-product is defined as “The distinction is that co-products are
desirable secondary goods. These are sold for the sake of profit.”
For example: An earring made of brass and ankole longhorn is a
co-product
