Just in: New sustainability attributes for listings

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At Etsy, we believe our marketplace has the power to make a positive impact. We know buyers come to Etsy for that extra special find they can’t get anywhere else, and to shop the values that are most important to them. From finding new ways to support creative entrepreneurs to highlighting items made from more sustainably sourced materials, we’re working to bring even more consciously-minded shoppers to Etsy.  

That’s why we’re introducing sustainability attributes: new optional listing attributes that allow you to indicate if your items are made from environmentally conscious materials or are designed to be reusable to reduce waste. We’re thrilled to announce that sellers can now add these new attributes to relevant listings. Learn more about listing attributes and how they work here. 

Adding sustainability attributes to relevant listings is the first step in this exciting process. Next, we’ll start exploring shopping experiences using these attributes to help buyers more easily find items that contain these characteristics. We know you take time and care into what you source and make for your customers. Adding sustainability attributes to your listings will help us make it easier to highlight important details about your items, making it easier to connect you with eco conscious shoppers. We’ll keep you updated on these new buyer experiences. For now, shoppers won’t see sustainability attributes on your listings. For this initial launch, sustainability attributes will be available for four categories: accessories, clothing, home & living, and jewelry. We plan on expanding their availability over time, so stay tuned!

Check out this story in the Seller Handbook to see the full list of sustainability attributes along with their definitions, and instructions on how to add them to your listings. As a reminder, adding these sustainability attributes are entirely optional.

We’re sure you have questions about this update, so check out this list of FAQs below:

How will these new sustainability attributes be used?

We’re working on building new shopping experiences that empower buyers to shop their values. While adding these attributes now will not affect buyer experiences immediately, we’ll keep you updated on our progress as we explore new opportunities like curated shopping experiences for buyers looking for environmentally conscious items. Adding sustainability attributes to your relevant listings will help us to power these experiences!

What are attributes and why should I use them? 

Attributes are additional types of information that sellers can provide about their products while creating or editing a listing to help describe what they’re selling, so that buyers can easily find just the right item. They’re created by Etsy based on research into buyer search behaviors. In addition to sustainability attributes, there’s a host of attributes you can add to your items that can help increase your shop’s visibility. Learn more about attributes here.

How is Etsy committing to more sustainable practices?

Etsy is the first major shopping site to offset 100% of carbon emissions from shipping and packaging of every delivery—we’ve also committed to reaching net zero emissions. Additionally, Etsy has partnered with EcoEnclose to bring US sellers packaging options made from 100% recycled materials or certified responsibly sourced paper at competitive prices, helping you run more sustainable businesses. Learn more here.

Which categories are new sustainability attributes available for?

Some sustainability attributes are more relevant for certain categories than others. For this initial launch, sustainability attributes will be available for four categories: accessories, clothing, home & living, and jewelry. We plan on expanding their availability over time, so stay tuned! 

Why aren’t there more attributes available?

For this launch, we identified 13 total attributes based on buyer research and better eco-conscious practices in creating items. Relevant attributes are available based on categories where the materials are commonly used. We plan to add attributes that are the most relevant to additional item categories over time. 

How will Etsy ensure sustainability attributes are accurate?

We’re relying on sellers to certify their items are accurately described and as listed. We encourage you to keep a record of your sustainable sourcing processes and use the item description to share any details about existing certifications your materials may have. We’ll be reviewing sustainability attributes and working with you to make sure they’re in line with our guidelines.  We  may ask you to share documentation to verify an item’s sustainability claims, which may include receipts from buying more sustainable materials, or official sustainability certifications.

What if a buyer has concerns with the sustainability attributes on my listings? 

Sustainability attributes are currently not visible to buyers. In the event a buyer files a case once they can see your attributes, we may ask for additional documentation to verify the validity of an item’s sustainability claims. With Etsy’s Purchase Protection program, we will stand behind your shop if the item matches the listing description and photos*. We’ll be monitoring usage of these sustainability attributes to help ensure they are accurate, and sellers may be asked to produce documentation to verify the validity of an item’s sustainability claims. Documentation may include receipts from buying more sustainable materials, or official sustainability certifications. As a reminder, adding these sustainability attributes currently will not affect buyer experiences, although we’re working on building new shopping experiences in the future! 

*Other terms apply. See Etsy's Purchase Protection Program Terms.

How might adding these new sustainability attributes affect the search ranking of my items?

During this initial phase of introducing sustainability attributes as options for your relevant listings, adding them will not affect their search ranking. We need your help first to build up inventory on Etsy that has these attributes. Then, we’ll be able to work on creating and building new meaningful shopping experiences for buyers, and these attributes could power future search experiences—such as more relevant search results, search filters, and more. Our ultimate goal is to get the right items in front of buyers who are looking for more eco-conscious options.

Why isn't vintage listed as an attribute?

These new sustainability attributes are helping us gather new and different information about your listings. The good news about vintage listings on Etsy is that we already have information about these types of items. We know that choosing vintage items over brand new ones is a more sustainable way to shop, so as we begin to explore future eco-conscious shopping experiences for buyers, we’ll also be thinking about the right way to incorporate vintage items. 

General guidance for sellers 

“Green” or “Eco-friendly”: Sellers should avoid making general environmental benefit claims like “green” or “eco-friendly;” and at the very least, sellers should list the specific environmental benefits of their product or process by which it was made that support these claims.

Certifications and Seals of Approval: Sellers should describe the specific environmental benefits that a certification or seal represents if it is not immediately clear.

“Compostable” and “Biodegradable”: Sellers shouldn’t claim that their items are compostable or biodegradable unless they have competent and reliable scientific evidence that all the materials in the item or package will break down, and return to nature within one year after disposal. If you’re not sure that your items meet this criteria, it would be best to avoid making these claims.

Curious to learn more about ways to build a more sustainable business? Keep an eye out for more resources in the future!  

Friendly disclaimer: It’s your responsibility to understand and follow the laws in your jurisdiction when determining and describing and marketing the items you sell on Etsy. If you list products for sale on Etsy, you must comply with all Etsy policies and legal requirements applicable to those products and product listings, including those in your jurisdiction and those to which you sell. This information is provided for educational purposes only, is subject to change over time, and is not legal advice. It's not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, a lawyer-client relationship. The authors, Etsy, Inc. and Etsy Ireland UC disclaim all responsibility for any and all losses, damages, or causes of action that may arise or be connected with the use of or reliance on these materials. Please consult a licensed lawyer in your area for legal assistance.