Sustainability Guidelines for Piazza Smart Sellers

The Piazza Smart Certificate
Effective from: 1 June 2024

Dear Visitor,
Welcome to this special space, where you will be introduced to Piazza Smart’s unique sustainability concept and vision for the future of shopping. In this page, we outline how third-party sellers are expected to self-certify the sustainability of items on our website using the exclusive Piazza Smart Certificate.

Contents

1. A Self-Certification Scheme
2. The 5 Piazza Smart Certificate Labels
3. How to Use the Guidelines
4. Sustainability Guideline Number 1 – Solutions for Eco-Conscious Lifestyles and Business
5. Sustainability Guideline Number 2 – Reduced Net Carbon Emissions
6. Sustainability Guideline Number 3 – Pre-Owned and Vintage Items
7. Sustainability Guideline Number 4 – Renewable Energy
8. Sustainability Guideline Number 5 – Recycled Raw Materials or Equipment
9. Sustainability Guideline Number 6 – Reduced Raw Materials or Equipment
10. Sustainability Guideline Number 7 – Efficient Production Management
11. Sustainability Guideline Number 8 – Enhanced Energy Efficiency
12. Sustainability Guideline Number 9 – Enhanced Water Efficiency
13. Sustainability Guideline Number 10 – Reduced Waste, Pollutants or Toxic Chemicals
14. Sustainability Guideline Number 11 – Use of Eco-Conscious Packaging
15. Sustainability Guideline Number 12 – Extended Product Life
16. Sustainability Guideline Number 13 – Eco-Conscious Plant-Based Materials
17. Sustainability Guideline Number 14 – Eco-Conscious Animal-Based Materials
18. Sustainability Guideline Number 15 – Supply Chain Compliance
19. The Guidelines Are Flexible
20. Compliance

1. A Self-Certification Scheme

Sellers must self-certify that their products and services meet at least one of our 15 Sustainability Guidelines below within 6 months of signing up with us. This means a seller has 6 months’ time, after creating their Piazza Smart account, to display the Piazza Smart Certificate on their listings.

The Piazza Smart Certificate is a self-certification scheme which operates on the basis of trust, and it is up to the seller to ensure they are providing truthful and accurate information when certifying themselves.

Sellers are responsible for determining their compliance with these Guidelines, and for guaranteeing that the Piazza Smart Certificate accurately reflects their business practices.

If you have reason to believe that a Piazza Smart Certificate displayed in relation to a product or service is false or misleading, you are encouraged to voice your concerns by writing to us at support@piazzasmart.com and we will look into the issue.

If, after 6 months of creating their Piazza Smart account, a seller still doesn’t display the Piazza Smart Certificate on their listings, we will provide them with notice in this respect and give them 10 business days to remedy that. After this term, we will remove all of their listings not bearing the Piazza Smart Certificate, and terminate their account if they don’t offer any items in line with these Guidelines.

2. The 5 Piazza Smart Certificate Labels

This is the emblem of the Piazza Smart Certificate. It comes in five colours, signifying five increasing levels of sustainability – much like a leaf turning from autumn orange to spring green, or a gemstone growing from beautiful to exceptionally precious. All products embedding eco-conscious practices are indeed valuable gemstones mounted in the frame of a stronger economy.

The 5 Certificate Levels

Choose the level that reflects your item’s sustainability:

• | Level | Requirement |

• | Topaz 🟠 | Meets 1+ guideline |

• | Zircon 🟡 | Meets 3+ guidelines |

• | Sapphire 🟢 | Meets 6+ guidelines |

• | Emerald 💚 | Meets 9+ guidelines |

• | Diamond 💎 | Meets 12+ guidelines |

Topaz Orange

If the item you offer on Piazza Smart as a seller meets at least one of the 15 Guidelines, you will be entitled to display the first-level, Topaz Orange Piazza Smart Certificate on your listing.

Zircon Yellow

If the item you offer on Piazza Smart as a seller meets at least 3 of the 15 Guidelines (or 20% of the Guidelines that are relevant to your particular business), you will be entitled to display the second-level, Zircon Yellow Piazza Smart Certificate on your listing.

Sapphire Green

If the item you offer on Piazza Smart as a seller meets at least 6 of the 15 Guidelines (or 40% of the Guidelines that are relevant to your particular business), you will be entitled to display the third-level, Sapphire Green Piazza Smart Certificate on your listing.

Emerald Green

If the item you offer on Piazza Smart as a seller meets at least 9 of the 15 Guidelines (or 60% of the Guidelines that are relevant to your particular business), you will be entitled to display the fourth-level, Emerald Green Piazza Smart Certificate on your listing.

Diamond Green

If the item you offer on Piazza Smart as a seller meets at least 12 of the 15 Guidelines (or 80% of the Guidelines that are relevant to your particular business), you will be entitled to display the fifth-level, Diamond Green Piazza Smart Certificate on your listing.

As a seller, you may only use the Certificate to label your relevant listings on our website. If you want to make additional uses of it, you must first ask for our prior written permission by writing at support@piazzasmart.com. The Certificate must be displayed by someone with the power to make representations on behalf of you and your company or other entity (if any).

We are a startup, and we may not have implemented yet a dedicated function on the website for you to display the Certificate on your listings. In this case, you can make use of existing functions or, if you encounter difficulties, wait until we implement the appropriate functionality.

3. How to Use the Guidelines

Our 15 Sustainability Guidelines are listed and explained below. As a seller, all you need to do is pick one of them, verify that your product or service complies with it, and display the Topaz Orange Piazza Smart Certificate on your listing, specifying which Guideline the Certificate refers to. You may also choose to comply with 50% of one Guideline and 50% of another (more on this in our section on flexibility).

If your item fully complies with multiple Guidelines, you might be able to upgrade your Certificate all the way up to the Diamond Green level, as described above. You must always specify which Guidelines the Certificate refers to, and the percentage of compliance (if appropriate). You are entitled to upgrade your Piazza Smart Certificate based on how many Guidelines your items fulfil that are relevant to your particular business.

For example:

• If you are a fashion seller selling an item including plant-based and animal-based materials, all 15 Sustainability Guidelines will be applicable to your listing.
• If your jacket only meets Guideline no. 2, it will be entitled to our Topaz Orange Certificate.
• If it meets Guidelines 2, 5, and 9, it will be entitled to our Zircon Yellow Certificate (≥20% of relevant guidelines).
• If it meets 12+ guidelines, it qualifies for Diamond Green (≥80%).

If your product doesn’t use plant-based or animal-based materials, only 13 Guidelines apply (excluding 13 and 14). Adjust thresholds accordingly.

If you are a service provider working only with a computer and without your own office, the relevant Guidelines are: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, and 15. You’d need to meet 6.4 of these (80%) for Diamond Green.

If you have questions about which Guidelines apply to your business, please write to us at support@piazzasmart.com.

And now, let’s explore the individual Guidelines.

4. Sustainability Guideline Number 1 – Solutions for Eco-Conscious Lifestyles and Business

To meet Guideline no. 1, items you list must be included in the list below. This list is exhaustive—items not listed here do not qualify.

• Items made at least 80% of: bamboo, cork, flax, hemp, jute, grass, maize starch, bio epoxies, bioplastics, biodegradable materials; paper/cardboard/timber from well-managed forests; lead-free glass; ceramics; recyclable metals (steel, aluminium, tin, iron, copper, brass, zinc; precious metals excluded); mushroom leather (fossil fuel-derived leather excluded)
• Vegan products (excluding apparel and palm oil-based items): food, recipes, makeup, body care (not tested on animals), accessories, detergents, glues
• Lab-grown diamonds and gemstones (including frames)
• Certified conflict-free gemstones and precious metals
• Liquid soap sold in powder form (water added by buyer)
• Bamboo/maize starch toothbrushes; solid toothpaste/shampoo; toothpaste in lead-free glass pots
• Beverages in 100% recycled plastic, lead-free glass, recyclable metal cans, or FSC cartons
• Merchantable food sold via anti-food waste programmes
• Water/air purifiers and filter systems
• Tap aerators, low-flush/dual-flush toilets, rainwater harvesting systems
• FSC-certified paper/timber products
• E-books
• VOC-free alternatives
• Mineral (NOT chemical) sunscreens
• Folding fans
• Swamp coolers, dehumidifiers, CO2/hydrocarbon-based AC units
• Heat insulation, cogeneration systems, triple-glazed windows
• Renewable energy systems: solar panels, wind turbines, geothermal, storage
• Multi-purpose products
• Bicycles
• Electric vehicles and powered transporters (cars, scooters, hoverboards, etc.)
• Parking spot finding services
• Self-powered exercise equipment
• Radiator reflector panels
• Infrared heaters
• Water-based glues and stains
• Composters and grow systems
• Organic farming-approved chemicals
• Vegetable inks
• Biofuels
• Menstrual cups, reusable pads and diapers
• Animal welfare-promoting products/services
• Cruelty-free alternatives (e.g., peace silk, cultured meat/dairy)
• Verifiable carbon offsets
• Fair Trade labelled items
• Items where ≥10% of revenue funds verifiable sustainability programmes (e.g., empowering women, BIPOC, disabled communities)

Note: Items made 40% from Guideline 1 materials + 50% recycled materials comply with both Guideline 1 and 5.

5. Sustainability Guideline Number 2 – Reduced Net Carbon Emissions

Meet this guideline by either:

• Offsetting ≥50% of your item’s carbon footprint, or
• Reducing emissions by ≥20% vs. industry standard or your past practice

Carbon footprint includes CO₂, methane, nitrous oxides, HFCs, SF₆, etc. Use GHG Protocol or UK government guidance.

Offsetting must be quantifiable and additional (i.e., the project wouldn’t happen without your funding).

Automatic compliance if:

• Your entire production process (raw materials to packaged product) occurs within 100 miles
• You work from home with no office/shop/practice of your own (unless standard in your industry)
• You consistently use remote work, video conferencing, and cloud services (only if not standard in your industry)

This guideline is flexible: e.g., 25% offset + 10% reduction = compliant.

6. Sustainability Guideline Number 3 – Pre-Owned and Vintage Items

List only second-hand, refurbished, or vintage products/services.

Ensure items are:

• Of merchantable quality
• Fully and accurately described
• Compliant with regulations (e.g., unopened cosmetics, valid “best before” dates)

7. Sustainability Guideline Number 4 – Renewable Energy

Power your business (for Piazza Smart items) with ≥50% renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, biogas). Wood counts only if it doesn’t cause forest degradation.

Include energy used in production, heating, admin—but exclude business vehicle fuels.

Calculate per item by allocating total business energy use across all units sold.

8. Sustainability Guideline Number 5 – Recycled Raw Materials or Equipment

Either:

• Item is made of ≥50% recycled materials or scraps, or
• ≥50% of your equipment (computers, furniture, machinery, etc.) used for Piazza Smart items is pre-owned, refurbished, or recycled

9. Sustainability Guideline Number 6 – Reduced Raw Materials or Equipment

Either:

• Item uses 20% less raw materials than industry standard or your past practice, or
• Your equipment is 20% reduced in quantity or older than 7 years

10. Sustainability Guideline Number 7 – Efficient Production Management

Items must be made to order, in small batches, or just-in-time to avoid overproduction.

11. Sustainability Guideline Number 8 – Enhanced Energy Efficiency

Improve your business’s energy efficiency by ≥20% vs. standard or past practice.

Examples: LED lighting, heat insulation, efficient machinery, public transport, smaller premises.

Hand-made items made with no electricity or minimal power tools are automatically compliant.

12. Sustainability Guideline Number 9 – Enhanced Water Efficiency

Improve water efficiency by ≥20% through:

• Rainwater harvesting
• Water recycling
• Leak reduction
• Low-flow fixtures
• Water-efficient production

13. Sustainability Guideline Number 10 – Reduced Waste, Pollutants or Toxic Chemicals

Reduce one type of waste (solid, electronic, hazardous, wastewater, dioxin, etc.—not GHGs) by ≥20%.

Flexible: e.g., 10% solid waste + 10% e-waste = compliant.

Automatic compliance if you participate in external cleanup (e.g., ocean plastic collection, soil restoration).

Avoid toxic chemicals: BPA, lead, PFAS, formaldehyde, VOCs, aerosols.

Clearly explain how customers should dispose of your product.

14. Sustainability Guideline Number 11 – Use of Eco-Conscious Packaging

Either:

• Packaging is ≥90% recycled or eco-conscious materials (lead-free glass, biodegradable, FSC paper, recyclable metals, mushroom leather), or
• You’ve reduced packaging materials by ≥30%

“Packaging” = container (box/bottle), excluding labels.

Reduction strategies:

• Larger quantities per package
• Minimalist design
• Loose/by-measure sales
• Refillable or multi-use packaging
• Buyback/container return schemes

15. Sustainability Guideline Number 12 – Extended Product Life

Offer:

• Repair services
• Extended warranties
• Trade-in/take-back/buyback programmes
• Resale/reuse opportunities

OR sell via rental, sharing, or Product-as-a-Service (excludes real estate/aircraft).

Donating unsold items to charity also qualifies.

16. Sustainability Guideline Number 13 – Eco-Conscious Plant-Based Materials

Plant-based materials (cotton, wood, paper, etc.) must be:

• From organic or integrated farming (per UNI 11233-2009)
• Palm oil-free
• Wood/paper (non-packaging) from well-managed forests

17. Sustainability Guideline Number 14 – Eco-Conscious Animal-Based Materials

Animal-based materials (wool, leather, dairy, etc.) must be:

• From organic or integrated farming
• Cruelty-free (no factory farming, free-range access)
• Use antibiotics sparingly

18. Sustainability Guideline Number 15 – Supply Chain Compliance

At least one supplier (product, energy, IT, etc.) must comply with any one of Guidelines 2 or 4–12.

Compliance must be additional—e.g., if your product uses 50% recycled materials (Guideline 5), you cannot count your supplier’s same practice toward Guideline 15. But if your supplier uses pre-owned equipment, that counts.

19. The Guidelines Are Flexible

You can combine partial compliance:

• 50% Guideline 4 + 50% Guideline 5 = Topaz Orange
• 40% Guideline 2 + 30% Guideline 8 + 30% Guideline 10 = Topaz Orange

But no double-counting: the same action cannot satisfy two guidelines unless explicitly allowed.

20. Compliance

• Certificates must be accurate and up to date
• Claims must comply with UK CMA Green Claims Code and ASA CAP Code
• You cannot claim credit for practices that are legally required or industry standard
• You must keep evidence of compliance and provide it upon request
• Failure to comply = material breach of Terms of Service

We may update these Guidelines. Significant changes will be communicated via email and published on our website.

Heading Together Into a Sustainable Future.