Sustainable Fashion Claims Checklist for Shopify Product Pages
Last updated: October 20, 2026
To keep a Shopify store clear of greenwashing risk, list every environmental claim wherever it appears, match each to evidence and rewrite anything vague. Claims hide in more places than product descriptions, so the audit must include titles, tags, collections, metafields, images, ads and emails.
Step 1: Find every place a claim can appear
- [ ] Product titles and subtitles
- [ ] Product descriptions and bullet lists
- [ ] Metafields and theme sections that show materials
- [ ] Collection names, collection descriptions and navigation menus (for example, an "Eco" collection)
- [ ] Product tags and filters
- [ ] SEO titles and meta descriptions
- [ ] Image alt text and file names
- [ ] Badges and icons added by your theme or apps
- [ ] Banners, popups and announcement bars
- [ ] Ads, emails, SMS and social posts
- [ ] Packaging, hangtags and inserts
- [ ] Customer reviews that you feature, and influencer content you commission
Step 2: Sort each claim by type
| Claim type | What to check | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| General ("eco-friendly", "sustainable", "conscious") | Replace with specific claims | Green Guides |
| Organic | Certificate, scope and percentage | Organic cotton |
| Recycled content | Source, percentage and documents | Recycled polyester |
| Recyclable | 60% access test or qualification | Recyclable |
| Biodegradable, compostable | Test evidence for real disposal conditions | Green Guides |
| Carbon neutral, net zero | Method, boundaries and offsets; California disclosure rules | Green Guides |
| "Made in USA" | All-or-virtually-all standard | Made in USA |
| Seals and certifications | License to use the mark; disclose any material connection | Green Guides |
Not every claim needs the same proof. A narrow, factual statement about a single material needs less support than a broad statement about the whole product or company.
Step 3: Build a claims register
Keep a simple sheet that every launch must update.
| Claim wording | Where it appears | Product or collection | Evidence | Evidence owner | Valid until | Reviewed by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Made with 40% recycled polyester | PDP, meta description | Trail Jacket | GRS certificate, transaction certificate | Sourcing | 2027-03-31 | Compliance |
Step 4: Fix weak claims
- Replace general terms with measurable ones
- Add the percentage or scope to every material claim
- Put qualifications beside the claim, not hidden behind a link
- Remove claims you cannot support yet
- Do not use icons that imply a certification you do not hold
Step 5: Add controls
- [ ] A review gate: no new claim goes live without an entry in the register
- [ ] Supplier documents collected before each season launch
- [ ] Certificate expiry reminders
- [ ] Approved-wording library for marketing, support and social teams
- [ ] A twice-yearly full audit
- [ ] A rule for apps and AI-generated copy: review any generated product text before publishing
Frequently asked questions
How often should I audit claims? At least twice a year, and whenever you change a supplier, fabric or certification.
Is a hangtag claim treated differently from a website claim? No. Both can be deceptive.
Can customer reviews create risk? Yes, if you feature or promote reviews that make claims you cannot support.
Where do I start? Start with your top-selling products and any page using the words "eco", "sustainable", "recycled" or "organic".
Related guides
- FTC Green Guides for Clothing Brands
- How to Audit Your Shopify Product Catalog for Missing Textile Data
- Why Product Data Hygiene Matters for Apparel Brands Selling to California
This article is general information, not legal advice.