Apply for the Seal of Acceptance™

Find detailed instructions on each step of the Seal of Acceptance™ application. If you’re ready to apply, click here to start your application.

1. Confirm your product is eligible for the Seal

Before you submit an application, confirm your product qualifies for the Seal. Specifically:

• Confirm your product falls into an eligible product category for the Seal
• Confirm your product does not include any ingredients on the Ecz-clusion List
• Confirm your product has applicable clinical safety testing reports
• Review the FAQs for brands/manufacturers below for details on process, fees, etc.

2. Gather the required documentation

The following documentation must be uploaded to your application.

• Formula of the product. Exact concentration levels must be provided. If the concentration levels are not included with the ingredient list, the application will not be considered for the Seal. Please include the “function” of each ingredient within the formula. Note: The product must be fragrance free. There should be no fragrance ingredients or strong fragrance, scent or anything aromatic in nature discernable in the submitted product.
• Annual company revenue report. Licensing fees will be required once a product is accepted and are based on your annual company revenue. If you’d like to inquire about licensing fees before submitting the application, please select the “I’m a brand/manufacturer with questions” option from the application form to contact us.
• Full report on clinical safety testing. The National Eczema Association (NEA) requires at least one of the following tests be completed and submitted by the brands/manufacturers for each product formula: Human Repeat Insult Patch Test (HRIPT), Cumulative Irritation Test (CIT), Safety In Use (SIU). All testing data must have the Fitzpatrick Skin Type or a similar report submitted with the testing data that shows different skin types, varying gender and age stratification from 18 years old and up. Learn more about clinical safety testing requirements.
• Image of product. If your product is accepted, we will use your product image to showcase your product in the online directory. The image specs for your photo should be 550 x 686 pixels, JPG format. If a photo is not available yet for your product, we will include a generic Seal image until you provide an image.

3. Start the application, receive a Non-Disclosure Agreement

Fill out the application form to let us know you’re ready to get started. Select the “I’m a brand/manufacturer interested in initiating the Seal application” option from the form. The National Eczema Association will then email you a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) for you to sign and submit. We require a NDA to apply for the Seal as a protection for both parties. We respect the privacy of formulations and would never divulge any formulations to the public. To start the Seal application process, you will be required to sign and date the NDA.

4. Submit your signed NDA

After we receive your signed NDA, the National Eczema Association will send you an email that includes a link to the application and your unique Seal of Acceptance ID (SOA-ID) number.

5. Complete the Seal application and pay the application fee

Upload all of the required documentation to your application and click “Submit.”

Submit the non-refundable application payment of $500 per product. Application fees may be paid by credit card, direct deposit, wire, Automated Clearing House (ACH) payment or check.

6. Mail product samples

Four (4) product samples of each individual product you are applying for are required as a part of the application submission. For example, if you are applying for 3 different products (a sunscreen, moisturizer and a cleanser), you need to send a total of 12 samples, 4 of each individual product. Failure to send samples will delay the review of your application.

• Acceptable product sample containers for all personal care products include: a bottle, tube, jar or cups; sizes should be at least 1 oz. but can be full size. Please package appropriately to ensure there are no leakages in transport. NEA is not responsible for product samples that arrive damaged or review delays that may result.
• For a laundry product, the sample size must be enough product to complete a small load of laundry, approximately 4 oz.
• For disposable wipes, a count of 5 or more wipes is required per sample.
• The product sample does not have to be in branded packaging. Samples can be unbranded generic packaging, but needs to be clearly marked with the formula ID and/or name of the product.
• Product samples can also be sent as full sized samples and branded if the product has launched already.

Mail product samples to:

National Eczema Association
Attention: Seal of Acceptance
505 San Marin Drive, #A180
Novato, CA, 94945

7. NEA reviews application

The time required for completing the review process for your application can vary. Once you have submitted a complete application with the required documents, paid the application fee and NEA has received your product samples, please allow approximately 10–12 weeks for final decisions. We do not allow for applications to take priority over another application and we do not expedite reviews of applications based on product launch date. Review of Seal applications are approximate times and there is no guarantee of an exact time for a final decision of acceptance.

8. NEA notifies brand/manufacturer on decision

At the conclusion of review, you will be notified via email whether your product has been accepted, is ineligible for licensing, or requires further documentation.

---

Apply for the Seal

Fill out the application form to get started and secure the most trusted mark for your product.

Get started

---

Have a question about how your product can get the Seal? Read below for more information

Where do I submit my application for the Seal?
Get started on your application for the Seal by filling out this form.

Once my product(s) have obtained the Seal, how long is it valid?
The license is valid for one year. Each year, the brands/manufacturers must validate and attest to the formulation of the product awarded the Seal. Any product with a change in formulation (e.g., new ingredients or change in concentration) must go through the application process again for review. Additionally, as the National Eczema Association updates the testing requirements and ingredient considerations for accepted products, products previously awarded the Seal are required to demonstrate their product meets current Seal standards.

How much does it cost to obtain the Seal?
The costs associated with obtaining the Seal include:

• Application fee. The application fee is $500 per product. Application fees are non-refundable and are not applied towards the licensing fee if the product is accepted. There is no limit to the number of products that may be submitted per application. Application fees may be paid by credit card, direct deposit, wire, ACH or check. We can send you an invoice upon request. Credit card payments incur a convenience fee in an amount dependent on the type of credit card.
• Clinical testing costs.
• Licensing fee. This per-product fee is assessed based on your annual company revenue. If you’d like to inquire about licensing fees, please select the “I’m a brand/manufacturer with questions” option from the application form to contact us.

Do you offer discounts for the application or licensing fee?
Discounts and pro-rating of payments to align with corporate calendars will not be considered for either the application or licensing fees.

Will my licensing fee change from year to year?
The annual Seal licensing fee is determined by your annual company revenue. As this increases or decreases over time, so may the licensing fee. You will be required to provide a tax statement attesting to your annual company revenue.

How does the NEA use the revenue generated from the Seal?
Revenue generated from the Seal directly supports the administration of the Seal program, and NEA’s mission and vision for a world without eczema. Product brands/manufacturers remit an initial Seal application fee and subsequent Seal licensing fees if the product is accepted. NEA does not make money through sales of the products. Product links in the Seal of Acceptance Product Directory allow for individuals to identify places to purchase the product, but NEA does not make money from any of these sales.

Can I apply for the Seal if my product is not yet available for purchase?
Yes. However, please note the license agreement date and yearly licensing renewal fee will be based on the award date of the Seal, not the product launch date. You will be asked the product launch date in our application so it may be added to the Seal Product Directory at a future time.

If the product has not launched yet, you will be asked to confirm the product(s) are being sold in the U.S. Your U.S. company tax ID will be required when filling out the Seal application form.

 Can I discuss my formulation with someone at the National Eczema Association before I submit my Seal application?
Unfortunately, we are not available to pre-review product formulation or comment on ingredients for acceptability prior to applying. That’s why it’s so important for brands/manufacturers to self-screen their product based on the Seal guidelines, including the Ecz-clusion List and clinical safety testing requirements before submitting a product for review.

Why am I required to share annual company revenue as part of the application process?
Once a product obtains the Seal, the licensing fees are based on annual company revenue. This information is kept confidential. If your company is a private company, this information may be provided on company letterhead, or any related tax document indicating the annual company revenue. You can request additional information on licensing fees here.

What happens after my product(s) is awarded the Seal?
If the product(s) is/are accepted, the National Eczema Association will contact you via email regarding the licensing agreement for each individual product. The licensing fee is per product and will be based on annual company revenue. You can request additional information on licensing fees here.

What happens if my product(s) is not awarded the Seal?
If the product is not accepted, a letter will be provided detailing the reason(s) the product was not accepted. The decision of the review panel is final. Brands/manufacturers can reapply for the Seal pending resolution of the issues identified. A new application, required testing and application fee will be required when reapplying.

My company is based and/or headquartered in a country outside of the U.S. Can I apply for the Seal?
You can apply for the Seal if your company is not based or headquartered in the U.S. as long as the product is sold in the U.S. You will be asked for your U.S. company tax ID.

Once my product(s) are accepted, can I use the Seal on an awarded product outside the U.S. and Canada?
No. Use of the Seal on an awarded product is limited to use in the U.S. and Canada.

How long is the Seal valid?
The license agreement is perpetual provided the product formula does not change and the yearly licensing fees are paid in full.

When and how will I receive the Seal logo files?
Digital files with the Seal logo will be provided via email to the product applicant point of contact within 72 hours of the license agreement being fully executed and paid in full.

Are there any branding and usage guidelines for using the Seal logo on accepted products?
Yes. The Seal branding and usage guidelines are included in the Seal license agreement. All product communications (e.g., product packaging, website, social media, press releases, advertising, etc.) discussing or including the Seal require review and approval by the National Eczema Association before release. Please allow for up to five business days for review and approval.

What happens if I don’t follow the Seal usage and branding guidelines?
The National Eczema Association reserves the right to revoke Seal logo usage rights at any time for non-compliance with Seal usage and brand guidelines.

What if my product has undergone or will undergo a change in formulation?
Please inform us of the intended or pending change in formula. Since the Seal is awarded to a specific formulation, if the formula changes, you will need to submit the revised product through the application, pay the application fee and go through the review process. There will not be an additional licensing fee unless the annual company revenue has changed from the last time a product was reviewed.

I have a product with a formulation that includes a proprietary ingredient. Can I still apply for the Seal?
Yes. However, you must disclose the full ingredient list of the product in order to apply, including exact concentration levels.

What happens if a change in Seal guidelines and criteria affects my products with the Seal?
If changes are made to the Seal criteria that affect a product’s ability to maintain the Seal, you will be notified and will have 12 months to make the necessary changes to the formulation and packaging in order to maintain Seal usage rights. If after 12 months, the required changes have not been made, you will no longer have Seal usage rights to the logo.

How often does the Seal make changes to the application criteria and Ecz-clusion List?
The National Eczema Association periodically reviews and updates the Seal criteria and the Ecz-clusion List to reflect the latest in research and other relevant considerations. Recommendations of any potential changes will be made by the Scientific Oversight Committee.

Can I decline to renew the Seal?
Yes. Brands/manufacturers have the sole discretion to initially apply for the Seal and retain the Seal after it has been awarded. Please let us know if you do not intend to renew the Seal licensing agreement due to product discontinuation, launch challenges or other considerations. Licensing fees will continue to be required as long as the product is available for purchase. You will be required to remove any mention of the Seal from your website and social media as well as cease printing of the Seal logo on packaging. If the product is listed in the Seal Product Directory, the product will be removed from our website.

Learn more about the Seal