Terms of Use

What YKO is

YKO provides sustainability analysis and intelligence based on publicly available data. Our assessments draw from company sustainability reports, regulatory filings, third-party certifications, and published research.

YKO scores represent our independent assessment, not official certification or audit results. No score on this platform constitutes a formal audit, regulatory compliance determination, or legal opinion.

Use of scores

YKO scores are provided for informational purposes. They are intended to help consumers, procurement professionals, and researchers understand the relative sustainability positioning of brands and products.

A YKO score should not be cited as a formal audit result or regulatory compliance documentation without independent verification from a qualified auditor or certification body. It is a starting point for due diligence, not a substitute for it.

• Scores may be referenced in internal research, purchasing decisions, and educational materials.
• Scores may not be presented as official certifications or used in regulatory filings as primary evidence.
• Commercial redistribution of YKO score data requires a signed data agreement — contact us to discuss.

Data accuracy

We strive for accuracy and update scores as new information becomes available. Brand sustainability conditions change, though — supply chains shift, certifications lapse, new controversies emerge.

A score reflects the data available at time of assessment. The assessment date is shown on every brand page. Always verify critical compliance data with primary sources before relying on it for consequential decisions.

If you believe a score contains a factual error, contact us at hello@yko.earth with supporting documentation. We investigate and update scores when presented with credible corrections.

What YKO is not

YKO is not a certification body, accredited auditor, or legal compliance tool. We do not issue certifications, conduct on-site audits, or provide legal opinions.

• Not a substitute for B Corp, Rainforest Alliance, or any other accredited certification.
• Not a legal compliance determination for any regulatory framework.
• Not financial or investment advice — sustainability performance is one input among many.
• Not an endorsement of any brand, even those with high scores.

We provide intelligence. You make decisions.

Brand pages

Company record pages are designed to illustrate the YKO scoring methodology using real publicly available data. They are created by the YKO team based on our research.

A scored brand does not endorse or approve its YKO score unless the brand explicitly and publicly states so. The presence of a brand on YKO is not that brand's endorsement of our methodology.

A brand wishing to respond to, contest, or contextualize its score may contact hello@yko.earth. We publish verified brand responses alongside scores.

GreenSpecs scans

Barcode scan results in GreenSpecs are generated from the YKO database at time of scan. A product in our database returns a YKO score; a product not yet assessed returns a “not yet scored” result.

“Not yet scored” is not a sustainability claim in either direction. It means the product has not yet been assessed — it says nothing about whether the product is sustainable or not.

Score availability grows as database coverage expands. Priority scoring can be requested through the API access program.

Commercial use

API access and company record subscriptions for commercial use require a signed data agreement. This includes:

• Integration of YKO data into commercial products or services.
• Bulk export or redistribution of YKO score data.
• White-label or embedded use of YKO intelligence.
• Enterprise procurement platforms incorporating YKO scores.

To discuss commercial access, contact hello@yko.earth with a description of your use case.

Contact

Questions about these terms: hello@yko.earth

YKO is operated by the team behind GreenSpecs.app. These terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, USA.