DOCUMENT 3: MISSION AND VALUES STATEMENT (Unchanged)
SUSTAINABLE INTEGRITY CERTIFICATION ASSOCIATION
Mission, Vision, and Core Values
OUR MISSION
To advance global sustainability and human health by certifying products that meet rigorous, science-based standards for longevity, repairability, safe disposal, environmental safety, and efficiency.
OUR VISION
A world where:
- Products are designed to last for generations, not years;
- Repair is the norm, not the exception;
- Materials are proven safe for humans and the environment before widespread use;
- Waste is eliminated through thoughtful design;
- Consumers can make informed choices about the true sustainability of their purchases.
OUR VALUES
1. Scientific Integrity
We base all decisions on peer-reviewed evidence and the precautionary principle. Where uncertainty exists, we err on the side of caution to protect human health and the environment.
2. Independence
We remain free from undue influence by manufacturers, industry groups, or governments. Our only allegiance is to our mission and the public interest.
3. Transparency
We operate in the open. Our standards, processes, and decisions are publicly accessible. We welcome scrutiny and feedback.
4. Rigor
We set high standards and enforce them consistently. Certification means something because we don't compromise.
5. Global Consistency
We apply the same standards worldwide. A certification in one country means the same in all countries.
6. Continuous Improvement
We update our standards as science advances. Yesterday's best practices inform today's decisions, and we remain committed to learning and evolving.
7. Accessibility
We make sustainability achievable for businesses of all sizes. Our fee structures scale, and we provide support to help manufacturers meet standards.
THE PROBLEM WE'RE SOLVING
Modern consumer culture is broken:
- Products designed to fail create mountains of waste;
- "Greenwashing" makes it impossible to identify truly sustainable choices;
- New materials are marketed as eco-friendly before long-term health effects are known;
- Repair is often impossible or prohibitively expensive;
- No unified standard exists to evaluate true sustainability.
We're creating a certification that cuts through marketing claims and provides consumers with trustworthy information.
OUR APPROACH
The Five Pillars
Every certified product is evaluated against five criteria:
- Longevity - Built to last, no planned obsolescence
- Repairability - Designed to be fixed, not discarded
- Sustainable Disposal - Safe return to environment or 100% recoverable
- Environmental Safety - No harm to human, animal, or plant health
- Efficiency - Minimal resource and energy consumption
The Material Tier System
We classify materials based on decades of safety data:
- Tier 1 (50+ years data): Eligible for Platinum
- Tier 2 (10-50 years data): Maximum Gold certification
- Tier 3 (Known concerns): Maximum Gold certification (auto-fails Pillar 4)
- Tier 4 (Toxic): Not certifiable
This system favors traditional materials with proven safety while allowing new materials to earn trust over time.
The Precautionary Principle
When in doubt, we protect health and environment. Manufacturers must prove safety; we don't need to prove harm.
OUR COMMITMENT TO STAKEHOLDERS
To Consumers:
We provide trustworthy information so you can vote with your wallet for a sustainable future.
To Manufacturers:
We provide clear standards and support to help you create better products and earn consumer trust.
To the Environment:
We apply rigorous standards that truly protect ecosystems and reduce waste.
To Future Generations:
We work to ensure the products made today don't become tomorrow's toxic legacy.
*Adopted: ____, 20___*