How can you recognise credible sustainability labels?
For consumers, it is often difficult to distinguish credible sustainability labels from those that are less reliable.
- Labels differ in their credibility. Not all deliver on their promises.
- Credible sustainability labels have transparent criteria, independent verification, and clear consequences in case of non-compliance.
Which criteria indicate that a sustainability label is credible?
With the large number of sustainability labels, it is often difficult for consumers to keep track. Many labels appear trustworthy but do not deliver on their promises.
If you want to assess whether a label is credible yourself, you can pay attention to the following points:
- Transparency:
The requirements - the so-called label standard - are publicly accessible, for example on the label’s website. They often go beyond legal requirements. - Independent verification and awarding of the label:
Qualified, neutral bodies check whether the requirements are met and then award the label. They regularly monitor compliance with the requirements. - Broad stakeholder involvement:
The label’s requirements are not determined solely by the label-issuing organisation, but developed together with various stakeholders. - Consequences for non-compliance:
If the requirements are violated, or the label is wrongly applied to a product, there are established measures to address this.
EU Directive "Empowering consumers for the green transition" (ECD)
From 27 September 2026, stricter rules will apply to sustainability labels and label-like symbols. In the long term, a sustainability label you find on a product is therefore more likely to represent a genuine, verified claim. Purely marketing-driven labels without independent verification will increasingly disappear from the market.
Verified sustainability labels in the label directory
In the label directory on Siegelklarheit, you will find sustainability labels that have been independently assessed and rated by experts and partner organisations. You will also find other marks used on products and background information about them.
