Our Certification
Methodology.
The Clean Sheet evaluation is based on established international safety science. We don't invent our own safety thresholds. We apply the best available evidence from recognised regulatory and scientific bodies.
What we evaluate.
Every product is assessed across five layers. The first is a pass/fail gate. The remaining four contribute to your 0-100 score. No exceptions.
Legal Compliance
Pass / Fail gateEvery ingredient is checked against prohibited and restricted substance lists for your target markets, India, EU, US, Korea, or all of them. If anything fails here, we tell you exactly what and why before proceeding.
Ingredient Safety
Primary evaluationEvery ingredient with a concern is assessed for toxicology, endocrine activity, carcinogenicity, and sensitization potential in the context of your specific formula, product type, and consumer profile. Not in isolation.
Manufacturing & Quality
Scored dimensionWe review your GMP certification, preservative efficacy data, stability data, and active ingredient assays. A safe formula in a poorly manufactured product is still a problem.
Claims
Scored dimension'Clinically proven' has to mean a clinical study. 'SPF 50' has to match a test result. Every claim on your label and in your marketing is assessed against the evidence in your dossier.
Ethics & Sustainability
Scored dimensionCruelty-free status, vegan ingredients, palm oil and mica sourcing, packaging sustainability, and environmental claims. We verify, not just ask.
Certification outcomes.
The product meets The Clean Sheet standard. You receive a certificate, badge, QR code, and public proof page with full evaluation details.
The product does not meet the standard. You receive a full written evaluation report with specific gaps identified and a clear re-application path.
Standards we reference.
We don't set our own safety thresholds. We apply the best available evidence from the world's leading cosmetic safety bodies. Every standard is documented and publicly accessible.
EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 and current Annexes II-VI
India Cosmetics Rules 2020 (Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940)
SCCS Notes of Guidance for the Testing of Cosmetic Ingredients
Cosmetic Ingredient Review, safety assessments database
IFRA 49th Amendment (2022), fragrance standards
ISO 22716:2007, Good Manufacturing Practice for cosmetics
ISO 11930:2019, Preservative Efficacy Testing
ISO 24444:2010 rev. 2019, SPF in vivo testing
ISO 16128, Natural and organic ingredients index
ECHA Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern
IARC carcinogen classifications (Groups 1, 2A, 2B)
US FDA 21 CFR, cosmetic regulations and prohibited substances
Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, cosmetic standards
Who evaluates.
Evaluations are conducted by an independent panel of experts, including cosmetic scientists, toxicologists, and dermatologists. Panel members have no commercial relationship with applying brands. Conflicts of interest are declared and managed.
Panel members are named on our About page because transparency about who evaluates is part of what makes the standard credible.
The process.
Six to ten weeks from complete dossier submission to certification decision. Five stages. Every product goes through all of them.
Application & NDA
Submit your application. We agree scope, which products, which markets, which PRISM modules. An NDA is signed. You receive a dossier checklist specific to your product categories.
Dossier Submission
You submit your formula, test data, manufacturing documentation, and marketing materials. We review for completeness. Your formula concentrations are seen only by the scientific panel.
Scientific Evaluation
Our independent panel evaluates across all five layers. Questions are routed through your account contact. Evaluators never communicate directly with brands. No informal score discussions.
Result & Certificate
You receive a full written evaluation report with score breakdown layer by layer. If certified: certificate, badge files, QR code, and public proof page. If not: specific gap analysis.
Post-Certification
We monitor regulatory developments affecting your certified products. Certificates are valid for one year. Formula or label changes trigger a review.
Baby care, sunscreens, clinical actives, products for sensitive skin, these categories carry higher consumer trust stakes. PRISM modules are specialist add-ons to Core certification that apply a deeper evaluation where it matters most.
PRISM modules appear as additional verified badges on your public proof page, alongside your Core certification status.
Apply with PRISM add-onsBaby Safe
Paediatric safety margins and mandatory testing for products intended for infants and young children.
Sun Verified
SPF and UVA verification, phototoxic botanical screen, UV filter legality across markets.
Active Verified
Concentration verification and clinical evidence review for products making active ingredient claims.
Sensitive Skin
Tolerability assessment and patch testing review for products positioned for reactive or sensitised skin.
Pregnancy Safe
Teratogen screen and ingredient restriction for products positioned for use during pregnancy.
Natural & Organic
ISO 16128 natural origin index calculation and COSMOS-alignment assessment.
Vegan Verified
Full supply chain vegan assessment, ingredients, processing aids, and testing methodology.
Certified products.
Every certified product has a public proof page, score, tier, verified claims, certificate details. Anyone can verify any certified product at any time, via QR code or search.
Registry launching soon.
We are currently evaluating our founding cohort of brands. Certified products will appear here once the first certifications are issued.
Go to Verify PageWhat every proof page publishes.
Start the conversation.
Tell us about your brand and the products you want to certify. We'll follow up within 2 business days to discuss scope, timeline, and fees.
There is no minimum. Some brands certify one hero product first and expand from there.
Apply for CertificationOr email hello@thecleansheet.in
Is our formula kept confidential?
Yes. All formula information is covered by the NDA signed before dossier submission. Concentrations are never published.
What if we don't pass?
You receive a full evaluation report regardless. Most brands that don't pass re-apply after addressing documentation gaps, not fundamental formulation problems.
How long does it take?
6-10 weeks from complete dossier submission. Expedited assessment (3-4 weeks) is available at an additional fee.
Can we certify a single product?
Yes. There is no minimum number of products.