Methodology for quick check

Why a quick check for sustainability labels?

The quick check gives consumers an initial indication of whether a label takes important requirements for trustworthy sustainability labels into account. Its criteria are based on the requirements of EU Directive (EU) 2024/825, 825 "Empowering consumers for the green transition" (ECD). From 27 September 2026, stricter requirements will apply to sustainability labels.

Siegelklarheit is responding to this regulatory development by introducing the quick check, helping to ensure that consumers receive appropriate information at all times. 

The quick check is positioned between non‑assessed company-owned logos and the labels subject to detailed assessment using the Sustainability Standards Comparison Tool (SSCT). The detailed assessment also reflects these regulatory developments.

The quick check is intended as guidance only. It does not involve a legal review of labels for compliance with applicable legislation.

How does the quick check work?

With the support of experts, the following five credibility criteria from the SSCT were classified as particularly relevant in view of the requirements of the directive:

1. Availability of the Standard (SSCT-ID B.01 / ITC-ID 700138): 
   Are the standard documents made publicly available free of charge?
2. Scheme Accessibility (SSCT-ID C.1.02 / ITC-ID 7000168): 
   Is the application for certification open to all potential applicants within the scope of the system?
3. Independent Conformity Assessment (SSCT-ID C.2.02 / ITC-ID 700236): 
   Does the standard require a third-party conformity assessment of all label holders to ensure compliance?
4. Procedure on Non-Conformities (SSCT-ID C.2.05 / ITC-ID 700175): 
   Does the standard organisation require assurance providers to have a procedure in place for how label holders are required to address non-conformities?
5. Claims and Labelling Policy (SSCT-ID D.2.01 / ITC-ID 700077): 
   Does the standard organisation have documented requirements for the use of its symbols, logos and/or claims related to its standard and make these publicly available?

Approach:

When assessing a label, the first step is to search for publicly available standard documents. If these are not publicly accessible, the standard organisation is contacted. 

Since transparency is an overarching requirement of the ECD as well as of the internationally recognised ISEAL credibility principles, assessment of the four remaining criteria is suspended until the relevant standard documents are publicly available.

Based on the public documents, each criterion is answered with "Yes", "No" or "No Information". The first criterion is an exception, as the standard documents are either publicly accessible ("Yes") or not ("No"; there is no third response option).

Result:

The number of criteria fulfilled provides information on how trustworthy the checked label is in principle. All five criteria and the extent to which they are met are presented in a transparent and easy‑to‑understand way for each label with a quick check in the respective label profile within the label directory.

Outlook:

If a label meets all five criteria of the quick check, it may in future be considered for a detailed assessment using the SSCT. This requires that the standard organisation has entered its data with the International Trade Centre (ITC). You can find more information on the detailed assessment and the data collection procedure here.

How is the quick check result displayed?

To make things easier for consumers, the number of criteria met is translated into three smiley levels. Depending on how many of the five questions can be answered with "Yes", a label receives one of three indications of its general trustworthiness in the quick check:
 

• Smiling face = 5/5 x "Yes"
• Neutral face = 3/5 or 4/5 x "Yes"
• Sad face = 0/5, 1/5 or 2/5 x "Yes"
   

A label with a smiling face is considered to be generally trustworthy. 

For a label with a neutral or sad face, its trustworthiness is less well evidenced.