Glossary

The obligation to demonstrate that the work has been carried out in accordance with the agreed rules and standards, or to report properly and accurately on the performance results to the commissioners. This may require a careful, even legally defensible, demonstration of the work's compliance with the terms of the contract.

Source: IUCN, OECD

The formal recognition by an independent third party that a conformity assessment body possesses the necessary competence to carry out specific conformity assessment activities in accordance with established standards.

Source: ISEAL Code 2025 (v1.1), adapted from ISO/IEC 17000:2020; ASI Glossary 2024 (v5.3), adapted from ISO/IEC 17011:2017

The requirements of Siegelklarheit for sustainability labels are divided into three areas: 

• Credibility 
• Environmental Friendliness
• Social Responsibility

Source: Siegelklarheit, SSCT

Also: Verifier

A person appointed by an accreditation body to carry out, alone or as part of an assessment team, the assessment of a conformity assessment body.

Source: ISO 17011

Also: Conformity assessment system

Management system to guarantee that the scheme requirements in the area of assurance are adhered to and practicable. This includes an at least annual systematic management review by the scheme owner's senior management to assess performance of its assurance system, update classification of risks, and inform improvements. An analysis of assurance system data, stakeholder input and risk classifications can be used for the assessment.

Source: Adapted from ISEAL's Assurance Code Version 2.0, 4.5.1

Systematic, documented process for obtaining records, statements of fact or other relevant information and objectively evaluating them to determine the extent to which the specified requirements have been met.  

Source: ISEAL Assurance Code, adapted from ISO 17000

Control activity performed by a person or body independent of the person or organisation providing the test object and of the user interests in that object.

Source: Derived from ISO 17000

A report on observations of compliance of establishments with the requirements. The report focuses on information about non-conformities (cf. ' Audit '). 

Source: Adapted from ISO 9000

A person who carries out the audit (cf. ' Audit ').

Source: ASI Glossary 2024 (v5.3), adapted from ISO 9000:2015

Business-to-Business (B2B) is generally used for the relationship between at least two companies. B2B labels distinguish particularly committed companies and their products and services. They are often not readily visible to the end consumer. Siegelklarheit currently focuses mainly on consumer labels (business-to-consumer/B2C labels). In other words, labels that are not aimed at other companies, but primarily at consumers.

Source: OECD Environment Directorate: Labelling and Information Schemes for the Circular Economy, Environment Working Paper No. 183

Collective term for all means used to indicate that compliance with the specified requirements has been demonstrated.

Source: ISEAL Assurance Code (Adapted from ISO 17000)

Third party attestation in relation to a conformity assessment body , providing formal evidence of its competence, impartiality and consistent operation in carrying out specific conformity assessment activities (cf. 'Conformity Assessment Body ').

Quelle: ISO 17000

Also: Product Chain, Chain of Care

The aim of chain of custody (CoC) systems is to validate statements about the product, process, company or service covered by the sustainability standard. This is achieved by defining a set of requirements and measures. They provide the necessary controls for the movement of material or products (and associated sustainability data) from approved or certified companies through each stage of the supply chain. The CoC system thus forms the basis for all statements that can be made about the approved or certified product.

Source: ISEAL Guidance: Chain of custody models and definitions

Also: Assertion

Written or pictorial statement about the sustainability attributes of a product, process, service or organisation. They can act as filters that provide people with information about the social and environmental attributes of a product or service, which can influence the decision to buy a particular product.

Source: ISEAL Credibility Criteria, ISEAL challenge the label

Expression of dissatisfaction by an individual or organisation to a signatory organisation, an audit body or a regulatory body in relation to their respective activities, where a response is expected.

Source: ISEAL Assurance Code (adopted from ISO 17000)

Any activity that is used to determine whether a product, service, system, person or body meets specified requirements.

Source: ISEAL Code 2025 (v1.1), adapted from ISO/IEC 17000:2020

Also: Assurance provider, certification body, verification body

Body that assesses compliance of a client with a standard, also known as Conformity Assessment Body (CAB). Assurance providers can be accredited (ISO/IEC 17011: 2004). Oftentimes, membership initiatives are standard-setting body and CAB at the same time.

Source: ASI, ISO/IEC 17011: 2004

Measures to eliminate the cause of a non-conformity and prevent its recurrence.

Source: ISO 9000

In the credibility area, the requirements are based on principles of the ISEAL Alliance. The focus is on the operational practices of the label-issuing organisation, including, among other aspects, the transparency of the certification system, the involvement of stakeholders in the standard-setting process, and the reliability of auditing. A label is considered credible if it meets at least the minimum requirements in the area of Credibility.

The credibility criteria were developed by Siegelklarheit in cooperation with national and international experts.

Siegelklarheit assesses the credibility of a label based on the following four thematic areas:
 

• System management: How is the standard-setting organisation structured? How transparent are its structures, and how are its decision-making bodies composed?
• Control system: Are the requirements verified by an independent, qualified body? Are violations sanctioned?
• Standard setting: Who is involved in formulating the requirements? Are objections from stakeholder groups taken into account? How frequently is the set of requirements revised?
• Product labelling and traceability: What does a label claim, and who is allowed to use it? Can certified raw materials be traced beyond the production stage?

Source: ISEAL Credibility Principles, Siegelklarheit, SSCT

The overall SSCT criteria catalogue comprises around 300 requirements and forms the basis for assessments on Siegelklarheit. It was developed in 2013/2014 by more than 200 experts from academia, civil society and the private sector. It is based on international standards, scientific evidence and guidance from label initiatives such as the ISEAL Alliance or the Global Ecolabelling Network. 

The criteria or requirements cover three key areas: Credibility, Environmental Friendliness, and Social Responsibility. Where appropriate, they also take into account the specific sustainability requirements of individual sectors (e.g., textiles, paper, computers etc.). 

All sector-specific criteria sets currently used on Siegelklarheit can be found in the download section.

On Siegelklarheit, sector-specific criteria sets are used to take into account the specific sustainability requirements of individual sectors. For example, the criteria set for laptops includes criteria on conflict minerals, while the criteria set for cotton includes criteria on biodiversity.

Each criteria set therefore consists of a targeted selection of sector-specific environmental and social criteria, as well as all credibility criteria, which are applied across all sectors.

Also: Steering body

Basically, the decision-making body is the highest organisational body that has decision-making authority over the strategic and managerial decisions of an organisation. In this context, the decision-making body is usually the scheme owner.

Source: Siegelklarheit, SSCT

In the area of environmental friendliness, Siegelklarheit analyses labels in up to ten sub-areas: 

• Hazardous Substances & Chemical Use: Does the label prohibit particularly dangerous chemicals? Are there rules for the safe handling of pesticides or other pollutants?
• Water Consumption & Wastewater: Are there upper limits on water consumption? Are requirements in place for wastewater treatment before it is released into the environment?
• Raw Materials & Components: Are there requirements for sustainable sourcing of raw materials, such as in mining or fibre production? Is the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) regulated?
• Protection of Nature & Biodiversity: Does the label prohibit the clearing of valuable forests for production? Are there requirements to protect threatened animal and plant species?
• Soil Protection & Soil Health: Are there requirements to prevent soil erosion and compaction? Are measures to maintain soil fertility?
• Energy Use & Climate Protection: Is the use of renewable energy required? Must companies plan measures to adapt to climate change?
• Waste & Air Pollution: Must waste be separated and hazardous materials disposed of safely? Are there prohibitions on the uncontrolled burning of waste?
• Product Quality & Everyday Usability: Are there requirements regarding durability, robustness, or technical performance?
• Durability & Repairability: Must spare parts be available? Are there requirements for a modular, repairable product design?
• Environmental Responsibility in Operations: Must companies hold all relevant environmental permits? Are stakeholders involved in environmental decision-making?

Source: Siegelklarheit, SSCT

They identify products that have been produced in an environmentally friendly way.

Source: Siegelklarheit, SSCT

Also: Extended requirements, Additional requirements

The assessment of the labels is based on a criteria catalogue of around 300 requirements that leading experts from academia, civil society and the private sector developed with Siegelklarheit. Minimum criteria and extended criteria are distinguished in the catalogue. First, the sector-specific minimum criteria are assessed, before both these and all extended criteria are scored. 

Source: Siegelklarheit, SSCT

Also: Quality label

Any written, printed, or graphical representation that is present on a product, accompanies the product, or is displayed near the product. Labels for social and environmental sustainability aim to support consumers in making informed purchasing decisions and thereby promote responsible economic practices.

A label does not necessarily have to be based on independent assessments or objective criteria. It may also be awarded solely for symbolic or promotional purposes.

Source: IFOAM

An agreement or contract that grants a certified operator the right to use certificates or certification marks in accordance with the requirements of this scheme.

Source: IFOAM

A set of interrelated or interacting elements of a labelling organisation to establish policies and objectives and processes to achieve them.

A management system can address a single discipline or several disciplines, e.g. quality management, financial management or environmental management. The elements of the management system define the organisation's structure, roles and responsibilities, planning, operations, policies, practices, rules, beliefs, objectives and processes to achieve these objectives. The scope of the management system may include the entire organisation, specific and identified functions of the organisation, specific and identified areas of the organisation, or one or more functions in a group of organisations.

Source: ISO 9000

Also: Minimum requirements 

Minimum criteria are requirements that cover fundamental aspects in the areas of Credibility, Environmental Friendliness, and Social Responsibility. These were defined by national and international experts. You can view the sector-specific minimum criteria in the downloads section.

The minimum criteria address topics of particular relevance in the respective areas (Environment/Social/Credibility), for example because they play a particularly important role in ensuring ecological and social sustainability within the production process. They ensure that

• the labels address the most significant social and environmental challenges within their sector, and
• they are supported by a credible implementation system.

Meeting all minimum requirements is currently a prerequisite for a label to be assessed.

The distinction between the overall requirements catalogue and the minimum requirements is important because labels can vary greatly in their structure.

Some labels are highly comprehensive and set ambitious requirements for products that are to be certified across all areas. Other labels focus on a single area, such as environmental aspects, or consider only specific parts of the respective value chain. Others set lower requirements for certification and should be reflected on Siegelklarheit as long as they have a credible standard-setting and implementation system.

Source: Siegelklarheit, SSCT

Systematic repetition of conformity assessment activities as a basis for maintaining the validity of the declaration of conformity. Monitoring activities of false claims and misuse of claims and labels to support quality assurance.

Source: ISO 17000, ISEAL Assurance Code

In this context, the term means a process in which different interest groups (stakeholders) are fully involved. By including the perspectives and opinions of diverse stakeholders, it is more likely that the outcomes will be seen as legitimate. In turn, pooling the knowledge and resources of the respective stakeholders enables better and potentially more sustainable solutions. The ISEAL Alliance, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to strengthening sustainability standard systems for the benefit of people and the environment, considers multi-stakeholder processes as good practice for developing, structuring and improving credible and effective standard systems.

Source: ISEAL Code of Good Practice

The German National Programme for Sustainable Consumption (NPNK) is an important instrument for implementing the 2030 Agenda. The programme aims to align the consumption behaviour and needs of current generations with those of future generations, without exceeding the capacity limits of a sustainable environment.

In this context, Siegelklarheit is an important tool for making sustainable purchasing decisions easier and promoting sustainable private consumption.

Source: Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN)

Overall criteria, overall requirements/criteria catalogue

The overall catalogue of requirements comprises around 300 criteria and forms the basis for assessments on Siegelklarheit. It was developed in 2013/2014 by more than 200 experts from academia, civil society and the private sector. It is based on international standards, scientific evidence and guidance from label initiatives such as the ISEAL Alliance or the Global Ecolabelling Network. 

The requirements cover three key areas: credibility, environmental friendliness, and social responsibility. Where appropriate, they also take into account the specific sustainability requirements of individual product groups. 
In the download section, you can find an overview of the overall catalogue of requirements, broken down by product groups (i.e., the set of assessment criteria)

Source: Siegelklarheit, SSCT

The systematic and independent monitoring of conformity assessment activities to ensure they are reliable, impartial, and meet regulatory or standard requirements.

Source: ISEAL Code 2025 (v1.1), adapted from ISO/IEC 17000:2020

Also: Oversight body, Accreditation body

An organisation that assesses the competence of a conformity assessment body to carry out specific conformity assessment tasks. 

Source: Adapted from ISEAL's Assurance Code Version 2.0

(Not to be confused with the sector)

To provide quick and easy orientation for consumers, Siegelklarheit currently assigns the labels shown to five product groups:

• Home & Living
• Household & Personal Care
• Fashion & Textiles
• Electronics & Office

A single label can appear in several product groups. For example, a label for certified cotton may appear in the product group “Fashion & Textiles” (cotton T-shirts), in “Household & Personal Care” (cotton pads), as well as in “Home & Living” (cotton bed linen).

It is important to note that the product group does not indicate the criteria used to assess a label. This is only implied by the allocation of a label to a specific sector (e.g. textiles, paper, computers, etc.). All sector-specific criteria sets currently used on Siegelklarheit can be found in the download section.

Source: Siegelklarheit, SSCT

Objective evidence that a product, service, system, person or body meets specified requirements. 

This evidence results from conformity assessment activities.

Source: Adapted from ISO/IEC 17000:2020

A type of verification used by one system, where recognition of another system's verification mechanism is considered sufficient to demonstrate assurance.

Source: ISEAL Assurance Code Version 2.0

A public consultation is a process in which the general public is invited to give their views and feedback on matters that affect them. The main objectives of a public consultation are to enhance the transparency, efficiency, effectiveness, and legitimacy of decision-making.

Source: OECD

Publicly available refers to the free availability of something without having to ask for it. A document available for free download from a website is considered publicly available. In turn, if you have to send a request to get the document, this is considered "available on request".

Source: Siegelklarheit, SSCT

The part of a management system that relates to the quality of a standard, organisation, product or service. 

Source: ISO 9000

Also: Criteria

What requirements or criteria must be met by a company to be able to use a label for its product? 

The requirements may refer to these points: 

• Manufacturing process, e.g. the prohibition of child labour  
• Properties, e.g. energy consumption of an electrical appliance 
• Management processes, e.g. operational environmental management 

However, they are basically label-specific or rather sector-specific.

Source: Siegelklarheit, SSCT

Activity of reviewing a normative document to determine whether it should be reaffirmed, amended or withdrawn.

Source: ISO Guide 2

Introduction of all necessary changes to the content and presentation of a normative document. The results of the revision are made available by the publication of a new edition of the normative document.

Source: ISO Guide 2

The probability of something happening that has an impact on the targets. It is measured by a combination of the probability of an event and the severity of its consequences.

Source: ISEAL Assurance Code Version 2.0

The probability of something happening that has an impact on the targets. It is measured by a combination of the probability of an event and the severity of its consequences.

• Analysis (and comparison) of the likelihood of negative outcomes of alternative actions, which is anticipated in development, harvesting or management strategies and can serve, for example, as a basis for determining audit frequency.
• A process consisting of three components: risk assessment, risk management and risk communication. 
• An analytical technique in which the probabilities of occurrence of an adverse event (e.g. drought, hurricane, fall in the price of a product) are estimated for each critical element of a project. Repeated calculations are then made (usually by computer) of a measure indicating the value of the project, with each element entering the successive calculations according to the probability of its occurrence. 

Source: FAO Fisheries Glossary

Applied when management capacity is limited in relation to the number of objectives and related problems to be addressed. The limited management capacity is concentrated on solving priority problems. In this way, management capacity is not diluted by too many problems. A phased approach is introduced, where low-risk problems are addressed at a later stage.

Source: HIVOS

(Not to be confused with the product group)

On Siegelklarheit, eight sector-specific criteria sets are currently used to assess sustainability labels according to their sector (e.g. textiles, paper, computers, etc.).

Within a sector, different labels are grouped together if they are similar in terms of their intended use, material composition or characteristics, so that the same criteria set can be applied to them. 

All sector-specific criteria sets currently used on Siegelklarheit can be found in the download section.

In contrast to sectors, the product groups in the label directory do not indicate the criteria used to assess a label. They serve solely to provide quick and user-friendly orientation for consumers.

They identify products that were produced in a socially responsible manner.

Source: Siegelklarheit, SSCT

In the area of social responsibility, we examine the labels in five thematic areas:  

• Fair Work & Safe Working Conditions: Does the label prohibit child labour and forced labour? Must at least the minimum wage or a living wage be paid?
• Fair Business Practices & Trustworthiness: Are companies required to comply with all relevant laws? Are there requirements to prevent corruption and bribery?
• Corporate Responsibility: Must companies actively review and assess their human rights impacts? Are measures for equal opportunities and community engagement required?
• Conflict-Free Raw Materials: Does the label include requirements for so called conflict minerals - such as tantalum, tin, tungsten, or gold, which may be mined in crisis regions and used to finance armed groups?
• Community & Local Responsibility: Must companies give preference to hiring local workers and using local suppliers? Are the rights of indigenous peoples protected?

Source: Siegelklarheit, SSCT

Individuals or groups who have an interest in the system or are affected by its decisions or activities. Stakeholders also include parties with protected interests such as rights holders

Source: ISEAL Credibility Principles

The "standard" is a document. It specifies the content requirements for the product or production process.

Source: Siegelklarheit, SSCT

The founding documents of a labelling organisation, which contain basic information such as the by-laws, articles of association, memorandum of association, charters, articles of association, etc.

Standard documents form the basis for the evaluation of labels and the implementation and control systems established by the label-issuing organisations.

Source: Siegelklarheit, SSCT

Standard systems are used in many sectors to improve social, environmental and economic performance. They are market-based initiatives that address sustainability issues by introducing a standard or similar tool that defines levels of performance or ways to improve. However, the "standard system" goes beyond the standard itself. It involves the implementation process and the monitoring mechanism in addition to the requirements defined in the standard.

Source: ISEAL Credibility Criteria, Siegelklarheit

Also: Standard organisation, Label-issuing organisation, Scheme owner, Label owner

An organisation that is responsible for developing and maintaining the standard and the assurance scheme. It sets the objectives and scope of the scheme, defines which goals are to be achieved with it as well as the rules for how the scheme will operate. It also decides whether a product may be awarded with a label. It defines the standard and the standard system.

Standard-setting organisations can be set up by

• government agencies
• non-governmental organisations
• companies

or a combination of the above. Recognised inspection bodies usually verify the requirements. They must be independent of the companies applying for a label for their production process. Some organisations award labels for which they have formulated the requirements and monitor compliance. Some labels do not provide for any controls at all.

Source: ISEAL Assurance Code

Also: Sub-contractor

An organisation that provides the enterprise with goods and/or services that are an integral part of the enterprise's goods and/or services and are used in their production.

Source: SA8000

The Sustainability Standards Comparison Tool (SSCT) is a tool for analysing and evaluating existing sustainability standards. It enables various actors to research and compare the credibility, social and environmental requirements of the standards. 
The SSCT was developed together with national and international experts by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). 

In the section on evaluation methodology you will find further information.

Source: Siegelklarheit

The ability to track the history, application or location of an object.

Source: ISO 9000

Environment in which the objectives, framework, data and information of a policy are provided to stakeholders in a comprehensible, accessible, and timely manner.

Source: ITC (adapted from OECD Procurement ToolBox)

Confirmation through the provision of objective evidence that specified requirements have been met. The objective evidence required for verification may be the result of an inspection or other forms of determinations, such as making alternative calculations or reviewing documents.

Source: ISO 9000

Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) are special regulations that ensure that products are manufactured in an environmentally friendly and socially responsible manner. They focus on economic sectors such as forestry, agriculture, mining and fishing and emphasise the protection of water sources, the preservation of biodiversity and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. VSS also support worker protection and the protection of labour rights and focus on specific processes along the production chain. VSS are developed by companies, business associations, NGOs or governments and endeavour to take the interests of stakeholders into account.

Source: UNFSS