You must cite the Eneref Report in your article or marketing material. You may use one or both of the following.

In the body of your article use either of these.

• According to a report by Eneref Institute (url link to report)…
• This article is based on a [year] Eneref Report (url link to report)…

In the byline of your article use either of these.

• [Your Publication] gratefully acknowledges the help of Eneref Institute (eneref.org) to provide content for this report.
• We wish to thank Eneref Institute (eneref.org) who contributed the research for this article.
• Research and reporting by Eneref Institute (eneref.org)

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• Share — copy and redistribute Eneref Reports in any medium or format.
• Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.

Eneref Institute cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.

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• Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to Eneref Institute, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the Eneref Institute endorses you or your use.
• ShareAlike — If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same license as the original.
• No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.

As with all publishers, we have a consistent editorial style we need to match. Visit report methodology to learn more.

On the use of brand’s trademarks

It is best for legitimate brands to have Eneref Institute, an independent third-party, use a brand name without a trademark or register mark as an endorsement of the brand. This shows—as a matter of fact— an independent party understands the name belongs to a brand’s owner. When Eneref Institute uses a brand name, in association with the brand’s owner, it is a strong, third-party argument, for the brand name, if a legal case were needed.

Secondly, a trademark is a claim of ownership. Eneref Institute has authority to claim of ownership only of its own brands, but we can make no such claim for other brands. In fact, use of a trademark or register mark in an Eneref report weakens a brand, because the mark indicates that Eneref Institute is working in cooperation with the brand. The mark in an Eneref report, therefore, dilutes the brand, because it calls into question Eneref Institute as an independent third party.

On the use of content received from brands

Eneref Institute has achieved great success because of our independent evidence-based journalism. Our reports are read by influential specifiers, re-published in the media, used to educate Washington decision-makers and even posted on the EPA website. Our advocacy for sustainable development is a partnership that brings together the experience of technology providers, decision-makers, and end users. Brands provide critical insight to ensure our reports are factually accurate but the editorial perspective is drawn from end-user’s viewpoints, based on Eneref’s field market research. That’s how we remain unbiased.

On product endorsements from users

The endorsements given to Eneref recommending solutions are entrusted to us with the understanding that they will be used to endorse social responsibility in our reports, only. Our sponsors regard Eneref Institute as a critical advocate for their industry, and in return, we judiciously guard their trust and the trust of their users. For Eneref to wear the third-party halo, but not act independently is unethical. Our adherence to our integrity is why companies continue to sponsor Eneref, some continually since 2001.

Eneref Institute gratefully acknowledges the help of the Society of Professional Journalists for our list of ethical standards.