Glossary
Everything we do is designed to make an impact, and it all starts with our products. This glossary walks you through what’s behind our commitments.
Cleaner Indoor Air
Our products meet or exceed national and state laws for restricted substances and, wherever possible, our brands are seeking additional certifications to offer our customers the safest products on the market.
GREENGUARD Gold Certified
GREENGUARD Gold Certified assures that products designed for use in indoor spaces meet strict chemical emissions limits, which contribute to the creation of healthier interiors.
Low VOC
Finishes that use fewer harsh solvents and emit fewer Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), improving indoor air quality for our factory workers and customers’ homes.
Oeko-Tex
Textile products are tested at Oeko-Tex accredited labs and certified not to contain harmful chemicals
Fair Trade
In 2014, along with our family of brands at Williams-Sonoma, Inc., Pottery Barn Kids become the first home retailer to join the Fair Trade USA Network and today we offer a selection of Fair Trade Certified™ rugs, bedding, furniture and decor.
Fair Trade Certified™ Facility
To become Fair Trade Certified (FTC), a factory undergoes a rigorous 12-stage process verifying its safe working conditions, fair wages, environmental standards and hundreds of other criteria.
Fair Trade Premium
For every Fair Trade product sold, Pottery Barn brands pay a premium back to the worker committee to collectively invest in projects of their choice.
Fair Trade USA
Our brand was the first home furnishings retailer to join the Fair Trade USA network in 2014, followed by many of our other brands. We work directly with the network to help our factories meet the necessary certification requirements to identify products as “Fair Trade Certified.”
Handcrafted
From handwoven rugs to hand-blown glass, our handcrafted products are sourced from a network of over 5,000 makers worldwide. We define “handcrafted” as UNESCO does: Artisan products are those produced by artisans, either completely by hand, or with the help of hand tools or even mechanical means, as long as the direct manual contribution of the artisan remains the most substantial component of the finished product.
Craftmark
Craftmark is a nonprofit in India that certifies and preserves traditional Indian craft techniques,
Nest
Nest promotes artisan groups and handcrafted techniques to create an inclusive global economy, improve women’s wellbeing beyond factories and preserve cultural traditions.
Organic
Organic fabrics are better for our bodies and the enviornment. Organic fibers aren’t treated with pesticides, insecticides or herbicides and often use fewer natural resources. Our organic textiles are certified to Global Organic Textiles Standard (GOTS) and the Organic Cotton Standard (OCS).
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
Items listed as certified to the Global Organic Textiles Standard (GOTS) are made with at least 70% organic fiber, high environmental standards in the product process and restricted chemcials in finished goods.
Organic Content Standard (OCS)
Certified to the Organic Content Standard (OCS), these items are made with the stated percentage of organic fiber that is grown without pesticides or GMOs.
Sustainably Sourced
Items with this icon contain sustainable materials, such as wood certified to FSC® standards, to help make your home a little greener each day.
Better Cotton Initiative (BCI)
BCI ensures that cotton fiber is grown using methods to reduce the environment impect normally associated with cotton farming while providing decent work and reducing health risks to farmers.
Global Recycled Standard (GRS)
Products certified to the Global Recycled Standards directly support resource conservation. 100% of the material, such as wood, is collected from pre-existing products, structures or objects (like driftwood) and converted to a new finished item.
Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC)
Certified to Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) standards, this logo ensures that products come from well-managed forests in order to aid preservation, protect biodiversity and uphold social responsibility standards.
Found (aka Reclaimed)
Materials that are made from pre-existing products, structures or objects (like barn wood) and converted to a new finished item.
Recycled
Materials from pre-existing products that have been diverted from landfill disposal. New finished products made with recycled material must include percentage claim.
TENCEL™/Lyocell
Lyocell is made from wood pulp. TENCEL™ is a proprietary lyocell fiber manufactured exclusively by Lenzing and made from responsibly sourced fibers (primarily FSC-certified eucalyptus) using non-toxic chemicals and solvents in a closed-loop treatment process, where over 99% of the chemistry is recovered and reused.
Upcycled
Wastage or leftover from industrial processes that are diverted from the waste stream and reused before they reach consumers. Finished products made with recycled material must include percentage claim.
Water-Based Finish
Water-based finishes use fewer harsh solvents and emit fewer Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), improving indoor air quality for our factory workers and customers’ homes.
Water Efficient
Product manufactured using water-efficient processes such as waterless dying, finishing or printing.