Sustainable Energy Practices

Sustainable Energy Practices Overview

GreenCircle’s Sustainable Energy Practices (SEP) certifies products that are made with lower energy impacts during manufacturing, including reduced energy use, less fossil fuel use, or more renewable and carbon-free electricity.

Products certified by GreenCircle Sustainable Energy Practices may be recognized by Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly (CPF) program, which highlights products with trusted certifications that meet sustainability standards.

Learn more about Sustainable Energy Practices certification for Amazon CPF here.

Eligible Products

Products from any category manufactured at facilities with verified sustainable energy management and sourcing
Products manufactured using measurable energy efficiency improvements, renewable or lower-carbon energy use, or reduced fossil fuel intensity
Certification applies to facility and process-level manufacturing practices only — not product design, performance, or in-use energy consumption

Eligibility for Sustainable Energy Practices Certification under the Audit Plan is through at least one of three achievements:

Energy Usage Reduction

≥1% energy usage reduction per product through a company’s demonstration that energy efficiencies have been achieved through implemented conservation measures compared to a baseline period, benchmarked to production.

Onsite Fossil Fuel Usage Reduction

≥1% onsite fossil fuel usage reduction per product through a company’s demonstration that onsite fossil fuel sources have been replaced with lower carbon energy sources, such as electric heating, compared to a baseline period, benchmarked to production.

Renewable / Carbon-Free Energy Usage

Increase in renewable/carbon-free energy usage (compared to baseline and benchmarked to production) or demonstrated achievement of 100% renewable or carbon-free electricity.

Minimum Criteria

Products are manufactured at company-controlled facilities with verifiable energy practice improvements
Primary energy and production data is available for all facilities
Chain-of-custody controls that ensure renewable energy traceability and prevent double counting

Data Requirements

12 months of primary energy and production data for baseline and evaluation periods
Energy practice improvement evidence (energy reduction, reduced onsite fossil fuel use, and/or increased renewable or carbon-free energy)
Renewable or carbon-free energy documentation, as applicable (utility records, contracts, certificates)
Process and facility records supporting product allocation, traceability, and chain of custody

Certification Framework

GreenCircle’s Sustainable Energy Practices (SEP) Certification demonstrates an organization’s commitment to integrating improvements to a product’s manufacturing process. The guideline provides details on the certification process and methodology for GreenCircle Certified SEP Certification. GreenCircle will conduct the audit for SEP Certification
in accordance with the requirements and methods set forth in the audit plan and in GreenCircle’s Certification Scheme which is in alignment with ISO17065:2012.

Standard Audit Plan

Guidelines

Timeline

Completion of the standard certification process takes approximately 75 business days.