What are sustainability labels?
Many products today carry a variety of labels and certifications. But what exactly are sustainability labels, and how do they differ from other types of labelling?
- Sustainability labels are used on products to indicate that certain environmental and/or social requirements have been met.
- They are issued by different actors, including companies, industry associations, or government bodies such as the EU or Germany.
Not all labels on products are sustainability labels. True sustainability labels are distinguished by their contribution to one or more of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as:
- "Decent work and economic growth"
- "Responsible consumption and production"
- "Life on land"
- "Life below water"
Sustainability labels can be issued by various actors:
- Companies that create their own labels. These may be brand marks or labels highlighting particular product features.
- Interest groups, such as manufacturers’ associations, or civil society organisations.
- The EU or the German government, which are responsible for labels such as the EU Organic Label, EU Ecolabel, Blue Angel, or Green Button.
Types of Labels
Labels can focus on different aspects of sustainability:
- Environmental labels
Environmental labels are found on products that have been produced in an environmentally friendly way or contain very low levels of harmful substances. Requirements may cover, for example, bans on certain chemicals or reductions in energy and water use. - Social standards
Social standards are based on social and ethical principles. They set requirements for production and working conditions, often following international guidelines such as those of the International Labour Organization (ILO). Specific requirements may include occupational safety, fair wages, or bans on child labour. - Animal welfare labels
Animal welfare labels focus on the well-being of animals and define relevant requirements. - Quality seals (Gütezeichen)
These are word and/or picture symbols that show a product or service meets certain pre-defined requirements. There are clear rules behind them, and checks are carried out to make sure these rules are followed (based on defined quality and testing criteria). A well known example is the family of RAL quality marks issued by RAL Deutsches Institut für Gütesicherung und Kennzeichnung e.V. These RAL quality marks appear on many different types of products and services that are regularly monitored, for example candles, windows or packaging. - Test marks (Prüfzeichen)
Test marks (Prüfzeichen) are labels issued by scientific or technical institutions. They verify aspects such as chemical or technical safety or product usability. Examples include the VDE mark, GS mark, or TÜV certification. - Quality marks
Quality marks (Qualitätszeichen) highlight a specific product feature, such as regional origin, particular quality standards, or requirements relating to the production process.
