1. What is the difference between GreenTick™ and ISO 14001?
GreenTick™ is a sustainability certification system and brand,  whereas ISO 14001 is an international quality standard for environmental management systems (ISO 14000 series).  The systems are complementary, and GreenTick™ certifiers use similar principles to ISO 14001 when conducting a sustainability review. The differences are that:
a) GreenTick™ certification is valid for two years (ISO 14001 for three years);
b) GreenTick™ involves spot reviews at any time by external certifiers (ISO 14001 internal reviews every six months, external review every three years);
c) GreenTick™ looks at sustainability in practice (ISO 14001 is primarily a management system);

d) GreenTick™ sustainability certification is governed by the ISO 17000 series of international standards for sustainability.

2. Is GreenTick™ organic?
GreenTick™ ORGANIC is designed for the sustainability certification of products that already hold an IFOAM^® -registered organic certification (eg. Biogro, Demeter).

3. What is the difference between GreenTick™ and the Marine and Forest Stewardship Councils’ labels (MSC & FSC)?
The Marine and Forest Stewardship Councils are industry organisations that use ISO 14001 principles in their certification systems. Their labels are also sustainability labels, but the GreenTick™ standard is higher – it is independent of industry, it applies for a shorter timeframe, looks at day-to-day performance, and is subject to spot reviews at any time. The systems are complementary, and GreenTick™ certifiers use similar principles when conducting a review. However, GreenTick™ is easier for customers to recognize, and can apply to any industry sector.

4. If my organisation has ISO 14001, MSC or FSC accreditation, will we also get the GreenTick™?
Probably. Having these systems in place will be a great help, but your organisation must be able to demonstrate that it is meeting the GreenTick™ Standards, and is prepared to keep up to the standard consistently day after day, should a spot review occur!

5. What do I get out of GreenTick™?
GreenTick™ is designed to instantly show your customers that your products or services are independently certified as sustainable. Our vision is:

• To see GreenTick™ certified suppliers get better returns by using this genuinely "green" brand; and, 
• To provide the public with an easily recognisable and credible sustainability brand - GreenTick™.

6. What will it cost me?
Costs fall into three categories:
a) The cost of maintaining your operations to the required standard;
b) Review costs - the cost of having an approved GreenTick™ certifier check your operations (there is no charge for spot reviews); and,
c) Trademark licensing costs – comprising a small annual registration fee, plus a small percentage of annual nett sales of the certified product or service line.

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7. How long does it take to get the GreenTick?
This will depend on the size and quality of your operation, and the parts of it you wish to have approved.

8. How long does GreenTick™ last?
GreenTick™ certification is issued for two years, and then an organisation is reviewed again if it wishes to continue using the GreenTick™ brand.

9. Are you a Green Group?
No, we are not a green lobby group.  We are an independent professional services organisation, dedicated to providing independent sustainability certification for the benefit of consumers and industry. We are a New Zealand-owned company, aimed at helping industry present to their markets independent, scientific verification of the "clean green" status of their products and services.

10. Are you an industry group?
No. We are an independent professional services organisation, dedicated to providing independent sustainability certification for the benefit of consumers and industry. We are a New Zealand-owned company, aimed at  helping industry present to their markets independent, scientific verification of the "clean green" status of their products and services.

11. What if a particular Green Tick Standard is not relevant to my business or product? 
Then this standard is noted as 'not applicable' in the Certifier's report.

12. How do you define sustainability?
As a minimum, sustainability means that products and services are produced in a way that does not permanently degrade the environment.

This concept of sustainability includes the consideration of:

a) permanent, irreversible effects;
b) the cumulative effects of a number of different elements working together over
    space and time;
c) severe temporary effects; and,
d) the full life cycle of a products down the supply chain."