How Siegelklarheit evaluates labels
Here you can find out how Siegelklarheit assesses existing sustainability labels and the criteria used in the evaluation.
- Siegelklarheit evaluates sustainability labels using a transparent, professionally verified evaluation system.
- Credibility, Environmental Friendliness, and Social Responsibility are assessed.
The Siegelklarheit evaluation system
The Siegelklarheit team collaborates with the International Trade Centre (ITC), a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization. Together with independent evaluators, the ITC collects data and information from label-issuing organisations and provides it for evaluation by Siegelklarheit.
All ratings are regularly reviewed and updated.
Any label-issuing organisation can voluntarily have its sustainability labels assessed.
Siegelklarheit evaluates labels using a transparent system.
What criteria are used to evaluate sustainability labels?
Labels are evaluated based on:
- Credibility,
- Environmental Friendliness,
- Social Responsibility.
For each of these three areas, specific criteria have been established. Siegelklarheit distinguishes between minimum criteria, which are particularly important, and additional criteria.
Credibility:
The Siegelklarheit team assesses the extent to which the claims of a label can be trusted.
The evaluation is based on the principles of a global association of sustainability initiatives: the ISEAL Alliance. Over 400 organisations were involved in developing the ISEAL credibility principles. The Siegelklarheit Credibility criteria apply to labels from all sectors (e.g., textiles, paper, computers etc.).
Environmental & Social criteria:
Siegelklarheit assesses how strict a sustainability label’s requirements are regarding environmental and/or social issues. The assessment criteria used by Siegelklarheit are based on international agreements, such as those adopted by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
They are aligned with general labour laws and sector-specific issues. In the textile sector, for example, this includes the prohibition of hazardous chemicals; for IT products, it covers conflict minerals and recyclability.
Important topics include, among others:
- Prohibition of child labour
- Equal treatment
- Protection of biodiversity
- Prevention of soil, air, and water pollution
Detailed information on the criteria and Siegelklarheit’s evaluation methodology can be found here.
