What are sustainability labels?
Many products today carry a variety of labels and certifications. But what exactly are sustainability labels, and what different types are there?
- Sustainability labels are labels found on products. They indicate that a product meets certain environmental and/or social requirements.
- They are issued by companies, interest groups, or government bodies.
Many products carry different labels, including sustainability labels. These set environmental and/or social requirements for a product or for how it is made - for example, concerning harmful substances, energy or water consumption, working conditions, or the treatment of animals.
The strictness and credibility of these requirements vary from label to label.
Sustainability labels can be issued by different actors:
- 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.
- Companies that create their own labels. These may be trademarks or labels designed to highlight specific product features.
Types of sustainability labels
Labels can focus on different aspects of sustainability:
Eco-labels (Environmental labels)
- Eco-labels can be found on products that have been produced in a more environmentally friendly way than conventional products or that contain particularly 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 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 highlight a specific product feature, such as regional origin, particular quality standards, or requirements relating to the production process.
Sustainability labels and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Regardless of their particular focus, many sustainability labels contribute to one or more of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. These include, for example:
