For Brands & Manufacturers
Build trust through transparency.
SmartBar partners with the brands that have nothing to hide. If your products are genuinely well-formulated and honestly made, our transparency audit is the strongest signal you can send to today’s most informed consumers.
Why partner with us
A different kind of seal of approval.
Consumers are increasingly skeptical of self-issued “natural,” “clean,” and “organic” claims. SmartBar’s verification is independent, science-based, and earned — not paid for.
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Independent audit
Our research team reviews your full product line using the same scoring methodology applied across the entire SmartBar database — no shortcuts for partners.
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SmartBar certification
Approved brands receive certification to display on packaging, websites, and marketing materials — recognised by the SmartBar community and growing in independent value.
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Directory listing
Your brand appears in the SmartBar Transparent Brands directory — viewed by health-conscious consumers actively choosing what they buy.
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Quarterly improvement reports
Track how your product line compares against industry benchmarks, with specific, science-backed recommendations for reformulation — if and when you want them.
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Direct research line
A direct relationship with the SmartBar research team — for formulation questions, ingredient inquiries, and emerging-science conversations relevant to your category.
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Featured stories
Partner brands may be featured in SmartBar editorial content, newsletter spotlights, and community channels — earned through quality, never paid for.
How it works
The partnership process.
01
Apply
Fill out the partnership application with your brand details, product line, and current transparency practices. Initial application takes about 15 minutes.
02
Review & audit
Our research team conducts a full transparency audit — ingredient analysis, sourcing review, and scoring against the same standards used for every product in our database.
03
Certification
Approved brands receive their certification, directory listing, and partner toolkit. Brands not yet ready receive specific recommendations on what would change that.
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Ongoing
Quarterly improvement reports, annual re-certification, and a direct line to our research team for as long as the partnership continues.
Who we partner with
A short list of who fits.
We’re selective — and we’d rather decline an application than approve a brand we couldn’t stand behind. The brands we work with share a few qualities:
- Transparent ingredient sourcing. You know where your inputs come from, and you’re willing to share.
- Clean formulations. Your product line minimises the ingredients on our concern list — and you’re working on the few that remain.
- Honest marketing. No misleading health claims, no inflated nutrition statements, no greenwashing.
- Commitment to improvement. Willingness to act on the recommendations from our quarterly reports — not just hold the certification.
- Independence from concerning practices. No history of regulatory violations, ingredient cover-ups, or actively misleading consumers.
Common questions
Partnership FAQs.
Does the application fee influence the score?
No. The donation supports SmartBar’s non-profit research operations. The audit itself uses the exact same methodology applied to every product in our database — partner or not. We have rejected applications from brands willing to donate generously, and approved brands that pay the minimum.
What happens if our products score poorly?
We share the detailed findings and specific recommendations. You can choose to address the issues and reapply, or part ways amicably. We don’t publicly disclose unsuccessful applications.
How long does the process take?
Approximately 4–6 weeks from application to decision. Full product audits take time to do properly — we won’t rush them.
Do you partner with brands of all sizes?
Yes — from small independent producers to large multi-product brands. Tier pricing and program scope adjust based on product line size and complexity.
Can certification be revoked?
Yes. If a partner’s products or practices materially change — new ingredients added, reformulations that score significantly lower, or any breach of our standards — certification can be paused or withdrawn. Maintaining the standard is a continuous commitment.
Ready to become a partner?
Start the application. Our partnerships team will respond within 5 business days.