What is an Eco label?

In a world with such an abundance of possibilities, it can sometimes be difficult to make the most environmentally friendly choices as a consumer.
Eco labels and green certification helps identify sustainable choices for both materials and finished products, and is sometimes mandatory in high-impact industries.

However, with so many labels and stickers containing words like 'eco', 'green', environmentally friendly' and 'sustainable', eco labels can sometimes be confusing.
And with a lot of companies trying to come across a little more 'green' than they actually are, green 'certification' can be used to greenwash a brand.

During the research to create our Future Proof Material library, we came across many different labels and certifications, and dove into their significance.
We came across the Ecolabel index, amongst others, currently tracking 455 (!) ecolabels around the world. <Check them out in alphabetical order here> 

In this article we focused on the labels that apply to products and materials, and certifications that we think are the most straightforward and significant.

Do you have anything to add? Have a label we forgot to mention?
Please let us know and we will be happy to update this page whenever we come across new information! 

source

First things first: the ISO of ECO

ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is a global organization that develops and publishes international standards for a wide range of industries and products.
ISO standards are particularly relevant in the field of eco labeling, and ​ISO has developed a number of standards related to that topic.

ISO 14020 is a series of standards that provides general principles and guidelines for the development and implementation of eco labeling programs.
​ISO 14024 is a standard that provides specific guidelines for the development of Type I eco labels, which are third-party verified labels that indicate a product or service meets certain environmental criteria.

In addition to these standards, ISO also publishes a number of other standards related to eco labeling, including ISO 14021 (covers self-declared environmental claims), ISO 14025 (covers type III environmental declarations), and ISO 21930 (guidelines for the use of eco labels in the construction industry).

Overall, ISO standards are tremendously thorough and play an important role in ensuring the credibility and consistency of eco labeling programs.

That said, it is quite an elaborate deep-dive to go into this even further, but if you like: here's the ISO website with many an essay to download.

Alphabetical overview

1% for the planet
​Blue Angel
Energy Star
​EU Ecolabel
EU Organic

Fairtrade
​FSC
​GOTS
LEED

MSC
Nordic Swan
Oekotex
PEFC

Rainforest Alliance
​USDA Organic
​UTZ

Per topic

business

1% for the planet
​B-Corp

product

production

Fairtrade
LEED
​Blue Angel
EU Organic
​Nordic Swan

usage

Energy Star
​EU Ecolabel

Material

wood/timber

​FSC
​PEFC

textiles

​Bluesign
​GOTS
​Oeko-tex

1% for the planet
organization: 1% for the Planet
since: 2002
​for: businesses & individual members

1% for the Planet is a global movement inspiring businesses to support environmental solutions through annual memberships and everyday actions.
Business members joining the 1% network, commit to donate the equivalent of 1% of gross sales through a combination of monetary, in-kind and approved promotional support directly to Environmental Partners.

Third-party certification provides credibility and represents an annual opportunity for business  members to assess their giving strategy.
Businesses share verification of their annual sales and donation receipts from their Environmental Partners at the end of their fiscal year. The organization confirms that each member is fulfilling their annual 1% commitment.

Visit the 1% for the planet website

B-corp
organization: B-Lab
since: 2006 
​for: companies

B Corp Certification is a designation that a business is meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials. - Make business a force for good.
In order to achieve certification, a company must: 
- Demonstrate high social and environmental performance. 
- Make a legal commitment by changing their corporate governance structure to be accountable to all stakeholders, not just shareholders. This means that a company is legally accountable to people — workers, customers, clients, and the communities in which they operate — and the planet.
- Exhibit transparency by allowing information about their performance measured and be publicly available.  

Certified B Corporations believe: 
That we must be the change we seek in the world.
That all business ought to be conducted as if people and place matter.
That, through their products, practices, and profits, businesses should aspire to do no harm and benefit all.
To do so requires that we act with the understanding that we are each dependent upon another and thus responsible for each other and future generations.

Certified B Corporations pay an annual certification fee, which licenses them to use intellectual property like the Certified B Corp logo. This fee varies by region and may also be subject to additional costs depending on size and structure. 

B-Corp certification on wikipedia // Visit the B-Corp website

Blue Angel / Blauer Engel
organization: German Federal Environmental Agency
since: 1978 - first worldwide eco-label
​for: products

This label is awarded by the German Federal Environmental Agency to products that meet certain environmental criteria, such as energy efficiency and reduced pollution. It covers a wide range of products including office equipment, toys and cleaning products.

Bluesign
organization: Bluesign Technologies AG
since: 2000
for: textile

Bluesign  is not only a certification organization that certifies finished goods. Certification happens as a natural progression of implementing the bluesign® SYSTEM at textile manufacturers or chemical suppliers.
Through input stream management the bluesign® SYSTEM guarantees the safe use of textiles and related products by removing hazardous chemicals before they enter the supply chain.

There are different types of Bluesign labels:
bluesign® APPROVED - If a textile component or a chemical substance fully meets the bluesign® CRITERIA, it receives the bluesign® APPROVED label. It may only be used in connection with corresponding information of the producing textile manufacturer. This is an important sign for your transparency as a textile manufacturer and/or chemical provider.
bluesign® PRODUCT - If all of the components of a textile product bear the label bluesign® APPROVED and they originate from a bluesign® SYSTEM PARTNER, the product receives the label bluesign® PRODUCT. This ensures complete traceability for customers, partners and consumers.

Visit Bluesign.com

Cradle to Cradle
organization: The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute
since: 2012
​for: Materials & Products

Cradle to Cradle Certified assesses the safety, circularity and responsibility of materials and products across five categories of sustainability performance:
Material Health: ensuring materials are safe for humans and the environment
Product Circularity: enabling a circular economy through regenerative products and process design
Clean Air & Climate Protection: protecting clean air, promoting renewable energy, and reducing harmful emissions
Water & Soil Stewardship: safeguarding clean water and healthy soils
Social Fairness: respecting human rights and contributing to a fair and equitable society

Visit the Cradle to Cradle website

Energy Star
​organization: US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
since: 
for: electrical products

This label is used on products that meet energy efficiency standards set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

EU Ecolabel
​organization: European Commission
for: products & services

This label is awarded by the European Commission to products and services that meet certain environmental criteria, such as energy efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. It covers a wide range of products including household cleaners, textiles, and office equipment.

EU Organic
​organization: EU / from the guidelines of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM)
since: 1991
for: Agricultural products

This label is awarded by the European Union to products that are produced using organic farming methods, as certified by the EU.

​More about EU Organic production Regulation
Here's a recent article about organic farming in the EU 

Fairtrade
​organization: Fairtrade international
since: 1997
for: products

Fair trade is a way of shopping and doing business differently. It changes the way trade works by prioritizing better prices, decent working conditions and a fairer deal for farmers and workers in the Global South.
​
Fairtrade Standards aid the sustainable development of some smaller producers and agricultural workers in third world countries. In order to become certified Fairtrade producers, the cooperatives and their farmers have to comply with standards set by Fairtrade International. FLO-CERT inspects and certifies producer organizations in more than 70 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Read more about the Fairtrade label

FSC® 
​organization: Forest Stewardship Council
since: 1993
for: wood/timber (but also cardboard & packaging)​

Using the FSC logo supposedly signifies that the product comes from responsible sources—environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable.
The FSC label is used on a wide range of timber and non-timber products, from paper and furniture to medicine and jewelry, and aims to give consumers the option of supporting responsible forestry.

There are 3 FSC labels:
FSC 100% means all of the forest-based material in a product is from FSC certified forests.
FSC Mix means the forest-based material in a product is from a mix of FSC certified forests, recycled materials and controlled wood.
FSC Recycled means all of the forest-based material in a product is made from 100% recycled content. At least 70% of that has to be post-consumer reclaimed and 30% can be pre-consumer reclaimed.

The main difference between PEFC™ and FSC® is the way in which they carry out the certification process.
PEFC™ depends primarily on underlying inspection companies: bottom-up certification;
Whereas FSC® has a ‘top-down’ approach to the market, where a separate policy is determined for each individual country: Once FSC® has established the standards for this policy, they examine each individual forest in the country in question to determine whether it meets the criteria.
​FSC and PEFC use the same forest management standard in countries such as the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Norway.

Read more about the Forest Stewardship Council on Wikipedia / Visit FSC.org

Green Seal®
Organization: Green Seal®
since: 1993
for: Products, services and spaces

Green Seal® is a global nonprofit organization that pioneered the ecolabeling movement with a mission to transform the economy for a healthier, greener world.
For 30 years, Green Seal’s rigorous standards for health, sustainability and product performance have driven permanent shifts in the marketplace, empowering better purchasing decisions and rewarding industry innovators.
​With thousands of certified products, services and spaces from the world’s leading companies, the Green Seal certification mark is a universal symbol that a product or service meets the highest benchmark of health and environmental leadership.

Green Seal operates under the international guidelines for environmental labeling programs, ISO 14020 and 14024, set by the International Organization for Standardization. Green Seal follows the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) requirements for third-party certification.

GOTS
Organization: Global Organic Textile Standard
since: 2002
for: Organic textile products

GOTS is the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibres, including ecological and social criteria, backed up by independent certification of the entire textile supply chain. This standard stipulates requirements throughout the supply chain for both ecological and labour conditions in textile and apparel manufacturing using organically produced raw materials.
GOTS and the related quality assurance system was developed by the International Association Natural Textile Industry (Germany), the Japan Organic Cotton Association (JOCA), the Organic Trade Association (USA) and the Soil Association (UK), it meets the requirements for the existing environmental labelling "Type I" (ISO 14020 / 14024).

The GOTS label grade ‘made with organic’ requires a minimum of 70% certified organic fibres.
​The GOTS label grade ‘organic’ requires a minimum of 95% certified organic fibres.

Pillars of GOTS:
Safe and fair working conditions - GOTS ensures that employment is freely chosen, workers are treated with respect and dignity, have safe and hygienic working conditions, and appropriate working time. Forced labour and child labour are strictly prohibited.
Dignity and respect for workers - GOTS certified facilities must foster a work environment free from harassment and violence. Workers in GOTS facilities retain the right to join or form trade unions and collective bargaining. Migrant workers must be treated with equity, and there can be no discrimination in hiring, employment opportunities or compensation based on race, gender, ethnicity, social status, or any other aspect with the potential for bias.
Requirements for the whole supply chain - This ensures full traceability from field to finished product starting with the raw material allowed and continuing through the next stages of processing; spinning, weaving and knitting, wet-processing, manufacturing, packaging, labelling, and trading, all the way to the final distribution of organic textile products. For the end product to carry a GOTS label, every company that is part of the process must be certified.
Use of organic fibres - Organic fibres, whether from plant or animal origin, are grown according to the principles of organic agriculture, sustaining the health of ecosystems, soils, and people. They are produced without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or genetically modified organisms (G.M.O.s). 
Responsible use of resources - Minimising the use of water, chemicals, and energy and decreasing CO2 emissions, while increasing the use of renewable energy are the most critical actions needed in textile processing. GOTS requires that all Certified Entities collect and make available data on energy and water usage and have target goals in place to lessen consumption and reduce waste.
Free of harmful chemicals - GOTS has strict criteria for the use and approval of chemicals aimed at protecting the health of workers along the supply chain, the environment, and the end consumer. To produce a final product free from harmful residue, GOTS prohibits all chemicals that don’t meet rigorous conditions, including flame retardants, PFAS and toxic dyes. Allergenic, carcinogenic or toxic chemical residues are not allowed.

Visit global-standard.org

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
​organization: US Green Building Council (USGBC)
since: 1993
for: buildings & public space

LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is the most widely used green building rating system in the world and an international symbol of excellence in green building. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED certification ensures electricity cost savings, lower carbon emissions and healthier environments for the places we live, work, learn, play and worship.

​LEED certification is proof that buildings are going above and beyond to ensure the building is constructed and operated to the highest level of sustainability. To earn LEED certification, project teams must earn points outlined in the rating system by adhering to prerequisites and credits across nine measurements for building excellence from integrative processes to building materials ;to indoor air quality. Prerequisites are required elements that must be incorporated into a building project to earn LEED certification, but project teams can choose the credits they want to pursue to gain points toward LEED certification.

LEED certification levels run from Certified, to Silver, Gold and Platinum.

More about LEED and its ratings

the Leaping bunny logo
organization: Cruelty Free International
since: 1996
for: Cosmetics, personal care and household products

The Leaping Bunny Logo is the only internationally recognized symbol guaranteeing consumers that no new animal tests were used in the development of any product displaying it. The Logo can be seen on packaging, advertising, and websites for cosmetics and household products around the world.
The Leaping Bunny programme is regarded as a global gold standard for cruelty free cosmetics, personal care and household products. It is the only internationally recognisable programme that:
-checks for brands conducting, commissioning or being party-to animal testing;
-requires a supplier monitoring system to be implemented by the brand;
-requires supply chain checking for animal testing right down to ingredient manufacturer level;
-requires adherence to a fixed cut-off date policy; and
-acceptance of ongoing independent audits to ensure compliance.
Fees are dependent on gross sales of the products being approved and start at £149.00 plus VAT per year for the smallest brands.
The timeframes for auditing your supply chain, implementing Leaping Bunny criteria and preparing an application is different for each applicant, and can be anything from 3 to 24 months. ​

the Leaping Bunny Logo on the Cruelty Free International website

Nordic Swan
organization: The countries of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland & Iceland
since: 1989
for: products

The Nordic Ecolabel or Nordic swan is the official sustainability ecolabel for products from the Nordic countries. It was introduced by the Nordic Council of Ministers in 1989. The logo is based on the logo of the Nordic Council adopted in 1984 which symbolises trust, integrity and freedom.[1] The Nordic Swan covers 67 different product groups, from hand soap to furniture to hotels.

The Nordic Swan is a voluntary license system in which the applicant agrees to follow criteria set outlined by the Nordic Ecolabelling. These criteria include environmental, quality and health arguments. The criteria levels promote products and services belonging to the most environmentally sound and take into account factors such as free trade and proportionality (cost vs. benefits).
Companies using the Nordic Swan label for their products must verify compliance, using samples from independent laboratories, certificates and control visits. The label is usually valid for three years, after which the criteria are revised and the company must reapply for a license.

More about Nordic Swan

OEKO-TEX®
organization: The International Association for Research and testing in the Field of Textile and Leather Ecology
based in: Switzerland    since: 1992
for: textile & leather products

The OEKO-TEX® label is issued by the International Association for Research and Testing in the Field of Textile and Leather Ecology (Oeko-Tex), which is an independent, non-profit organization.
Overall, the OEKO-TEX® label provides assurance to consumers that textiles and other materials have been independently tested and certified to be free from harmful chemicals and substances. It also provides a framework for manufacturers to ensure the safety and environmental sustainability of their products.

There are several different varieties of the Oeko-Tex label, each with its own set of standards and requirements:
OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN is a traceable product label for all kinds of textiles and leather products that have been manufactured in environmentally friendly facilities under safe and socially responsible working conditions. The MADE IN GREEN label also reassures consumers that the textile or leather product is made of materials that have been tested for harmful substances.
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 is the most well-known and widely recognized Oeko-Tex label. It certifies that textiles and other materials are free from harmful levels of chemicals and substances that are harmful to human health.
OEKO-TEX® LEATHER STANDARD is an internationally standardised testing and certification system for leather and leather goods at all production levels, including accessory materials. The label indicates that the labelled article has successfully passed a test for chemicals that are harmful to health.
OEKO-TEX® STeP stands for Sustainable Textile & Leather Production and is a modular certification system for production facilities in the textile and leather industry. The goal of STeP is to implement environmentally friendly production processes in the long term, to improve health and safety and to promote socially responsible working conditions at production sites.
OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT is an independent certification system for chemicals, colourants and auxiliaries used in the textile and leather industry. The label gives transparent proof of which articles meet the criteria for ecologically responsible textile and leather manufacture. 
OEKO-TEX® RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS is a management tool to meet supply chain due diligence requirements in the textile and leather industry. It certifies the management system of a company and assesses to which extent due diligence obligations with regard to human rights and environmental criteria are implemented in the company and in their supply chains.

Visit Oeko-tex.com

Organic Content standard
organization: Textile Exchange
since: 2018
for: textile

The Organic Content Standard (OCS) is a voluntary global standard that sets the criteria for third-party certification of organic materials and chain of custody that ​aims to increase organic agricultural production.

NB. GOTS has additional processing requirements. It also requires a 70% minimum content percentage and has restrictions on other the fibers that organic content can be blended with.

More about the Organic Content Standard on TextileExchange.org

PEFC™
​organization: Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification
since: 1999
for: wood/timber

PEFC was introduced as a response to the FSC label: small European foresters did not belong to the FSC Council’s target group (that was initially focused on tropical forests and regions) and FSC certification was too expensive for smaller parties, yet these foresters also wanted a certificate to demonstrate that they engaged in sustainable forest management. 
PEFC International bases its criteria on internationally accepted intergovernmental conventions and guidelines, thereby linking its sustainability benchmark criteria with existing governmental processes.

There are different PEFC labels:
The PEFC certified label may be used whenever at least 70% of the forest and tree based material included in the product is PEFC certified material and the content of recycled material is lower than 100%.
The PEFC recycled label shall be used when the product includes only recycled material

The main difference between PEFC™ and FSC® is the way in which they carry out the certification process.
PEFC™ depends primarily on underlying inspection companies: bottom-up certification;
Whereas FSC® has a ‘top-down’ approach to the market, where a separate policy is determined for each individual country: Once FSC® has established the standards for this policy, they examine each individual forest in the country in question to determine whether it meets the criteria.
​FSC and PEFC use the same forest management standard in countries such as the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Norway.

Read more about the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification on Wikipedia // Visit PEFC.org

PETA Approved - vegan
organization: PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)
since: 
for: Clothing, Fibers/Materials, Handbags/wallets, Home Furnishings, Jewelry, Footwear

The logo helps consumers identify vegan items at a glance while shopping and make purchases that align with their values.
More than 1,000 companies are using the “PETA-Approved Vegan” logo to highlight clothing, accessories, furniture, and home decor items made of vegan alternatives to animal-derived materials, such as leather, fur, silk, feathers, and bone.
In order to complete the process, companies must complete PETA's two questionnaires to fully inform PETA of the materials used to make products, and make a statement (under penalty of law if misrepresented) that the companies' products are entirely vegan.
Annual certification fee between $250,- and $3000,-
​
More about PETA on Wikipedia / Visit the PETA Approved website

Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) & Global Recycled Standard (GRS)
organization: Textile Exchange
for: textile goods

The Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) and Global Recycled Standard (GRS) set the criteria for third-party certification of recycled materials and chain of custody. The GRS includes a higher (50%) minimum recycled content percentage and additional social and environmental requirements related to processing and chemical use.

Recycled material verification - Materials are verified to meet the ISO definition of “recycled”. Both pre-consumer and post-consumer material is accepted.
Responsible production - GRS sites are required to meet strict social and environmental requirements and don't use harmful Chemicals on GRS products.
Chain of custody - Certification makes sure the identity of the recycled content is maintained from feedstock to final product.

​More about the RCS & GRS on TextileExchange.org

Responsible Wool, Mohair, Alpaca & Down Standard
organization: Textile Exchange
for: textile goods

The Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) aims to improve the welfare of sheep and the land they graze on, and requires all sites, from wool farmers to the seller in the final business-to-business transaction, to be certified. RWS farmers and ranchers must meet animal welfare, land management, and social requirements.

The Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS) addresses animal welfare and environmental responsibility in mohair supply chains, it is a voluntary standard that requires all sites, from farms through to the seller in the final business- to-business transaction, to be certified. RMS farmers and ranchers must meet animal welfare, land management, and social requirements.

The Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS) safeguards the welfare of alpacas and the ecosystems around them. It is a voluntary standard that requires all sites, from alpaca farms through to the seller in the final business-to-business transaction, to be certified. RAS farmers and ranchers must meet animal welfare, land management, and social requirements.

The Responsible Down Standard (RDS) aims to protect ducks and geese used for down. It incentivizes the down and feather industry to treat ducks and geese humanely and rewards organizations leading the way. The standard also gives companies and consumers a way to know what’s in the products they buy.

​

​More about the RWS, RMS. RAS and RDS on TextileExchange.org

Rainforest Alliance
organization: Rainforest Alliance
for: products

Rainforest Alliance: This label is used on products that come from farms that meet certain environmental and social standards, as certified by the Rainforest Alliance.

Visit the Rainforest Alliance website

USDA Organic
organization: US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
for: agricultural products

USDA Organic: This label is used on products that are produced using organic farming methods, as certified by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).