What is the OBP Brand Standard?

Representing the final, consumer-facing link in the Ocean Bound Plastic (OBP) Certification Program managed by Zero Plastic Oceans (ZPO), the OBP Brand Standard is designed for retail brands that put finished products or packaging on the market. The primary objective of this standard is to independently verify that a brand's environmental claims—such as "our product is made with ocean-bound plastic" or "we are a plastic-neutral brand"—are truthful, transparent, and provable. By building consumer trust, this standard grants brands the right to use official OBP logos on their packaging, distinguishing them from competitors.

Key Technical Criteria of the OBP Brand Standard

Rather than focusing on manufacturing processes, the Brand Standard concentrates on the accuracy of supply chain data, logo usage rules, and the transparency of marketing claims. The technical framework can be summarized as follows:

• Supply Chain Verification and Transaction Certificates (TCs):

  • To make an OBP claim, the brand must purchase the raw materials or finished goods strictly from approved suppliers holding an OBP Recycling Organization certificate.

  • Every batch of OBP-containing products sourced must be legally documented with Transaction Certificates (TCs) issued directly to the brand.

• Content Claims and Logo Usage Rules:

  • Strict rules are enforced to prevent consumer misleading in marketing communications. If the OBP logo is used on product packaging, the exact percentage of OBP used in the packaging or the product must be declared transparently in the format dictated by the standard.

• Plastic Neutrality and Credit System:

  • The OBP Brand Standard also provides a pathway for brands that cannot physically use OBP materials in their products (e.g., due to strict food-contact regulations).

  • Brands can finance the removal of plastic from nature by purchasing "Plastic Credits" from OBP-certified collectors, effectively offsetting their plastic footprint to claim "OBP Neutral" status. To prevent double counting, all transactions are strictly audited through the OBP Credit Registry.

Why Choose OBP Brand Certification with ETKO?

Today's consumers are highly eco-conscious and skeptical; empty sustainability claims (greenwashing) can swiftly damage a brand's reputation. Obtaining the OBP Brand Certificate through ETKO’s internationally accredited auditing expertise means broadcasting to the world that your marketing claims are backed by mathematical and physical proof. The OBP logo, applied to your packaging with ETKO's assurance, solidifies your brand's commitment to protecting the oceans and earns the loyalty of environmentally mindful consumers.