Carbon Offset Policy

Last Updated: February 2026

POLICY SUMMARY

Accessoryz.com is committed to environmental transparency and the reduction of our operational footprint. We facilitate carbon offsets for shipping and transactions to mitigate the environmental impact of your purchase. Please note: Our "Carbon Neutral" claims specifically refer to the transportation and shipping phase of your order, calculated using verified third-party data. We utilize only high-quality, retired credits from certified registries (such as Gold Standard and Verra) to ensure that every offset is real, permanent, and verifiable. We do not claim our products themselves are "eco-friendly" or "carbon zero" unless specifically labeled with third-party certification.

1. PURPOSE AND SCOPE

This policy governs how Accessoryz calculates, communicates, and executes carbon offsets for transactions on our platform. Our goal is to provide transparency and ensure that all environmental benefit claims meet the FTC Green Guides (16 CFR Part 260) standards for substantiation.

2. SUBSTANTIATION OF CLAIMS

We do not make broad, unqualified environmental claims (e.g., "Eco-Friendly Marketplace"). In accordance with FTC guidelines:

  • Specific Claims: Any claim of "Carbon Neutrality" or "Net Zero" will be accompanied by clear disclosures identifying whether the claim covers the entire product lifecycle or merely the transportation/shipping phase.
  • Competent and Reliable Evidence: We maintain scientific data and accounting logs to support every offset claim made at the point of sale.

3. OFFSET STANDARDS AND VERIFICATION

To ensure high-quality offsets and avoid "junk" credits, the Marketplace only utilizes offsets that are Real, Additional, Permanent, and Verifiable. We prioritize projects certified by:

  • Gold Standard
  • Verified Carbon Standard (VCS/Verra)
  • Climate Action Reserve (CAR)
  • American Carbon Registry (ACR)

4. DOUBLE-COUNTING AND RETIREMENT

To prevent fraudulent claims:

  • All credits purchased by the Marketplace or through customer contributions are officially retired on their respective public registries within 90 days of the transaction.
  • Once retired, these credits cannot be resold or used by any other entity to claim an environmental benefit.

5. CALCULATION METHODOLOGY

Emission estimates are calculated using recognized US standards, such as the EPA Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) emission factors.

  • Shipping: Calculations are based on weight, distance, and carrier-reported fuel types.
  • Conservative Estimates: When exact data is missing (e.g., precise flight path), we apply a "conservative default" to ensure we are over-offsetting rather than under-offsetting the impact.

6. DISCLOSURE OF TIMELINE

Under FTC guidance, we must disclose if an offset represents an emission reduction that will not occur for two years or more.

  • We prioritize "Avoidance" or "Current Sequestration" projects.
  • If a project involves future carbon sequestration (e.g., new tree planting that takes 20 years to mature), this will be clearly disclosed to the consumer at the point of purchase.

7. STATE-SPECIFIC COMPLIANCE (CALIFORNIA AB 1305)

For customers and sellers based in California, this policy adheres to the Voluntary Carbon Market Disclosures Act (AB 1305). We provide public disclosures on our website regarding:

  • The specific protocol used to estimate emissions.
  • The name and ID of the project in the registry.
  • Whether the project has been third-party verified.

8. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Accessoryz.com acts as a facilitator for carbon offsets. While we perform due diligence on project developers and registries, the Marketplace is not liable for the failure of third-party carbon projects to perform, provided we have acted in good faith and utilized certified registries.