Ecolabels: Breaking Down Common Environmental Certifications
What is an ecolabel exactly? Well, simply put, they are labeling systems for all food and consumer products to show that the items do less harm to the environment compared to similar products. You’ll see these at the grocery store on organic produce, at a lumber yard on wood, and on the tags of any textile. It’s handy information to know especially when you’re trying to make greener shopping choices! So, the GA team has researched the ecolabels you should care about when shopping for home furnishings.
GOTS
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibers throughout the entire textile supply chain. That means they set strict (and binding) requirements regarding ecological and social parameters from harvesting the raw textile material, to environmentally and socially responsible processing and manufacturing, all while remaining transparent to the end consumer. Their definition of organic production is, “based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic, persistent pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. In addition, it includes welfare standards for animal husbandry and prohibits genetically modified organisms.” You can find GOTS certification labels on apparel and home textiles and fabrics.
Greenguard
Greenguard certification helps manufacturers create and identify interior products and materials that have low chemical emissions. So, if you’ve seen this label while shopping for paint, a mattress, or even new flooring, that means the item has been tested and meets the low VOCS and chemical emissions standards to help reduce indoor air pollution and the potential health risks of chemical exposure.
FSC Certified
You can find FSC labels on a variety of wood and paper products including furniture, decking, lumber, office paper, tissue paper, greeting cards and more. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international non-profit that helps protect the world’s forests from illegal and unethical logging. All products that are FSC certified fit the criteria below:
Comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
Enhance the quality of life of workers.
Identify and uphold Indigenous Peoples’ legal and customary rights of ownership.
Enhance the quality of life of local communities.
Manage the range of multiple products and services of the Management Unit.
Maintain, conserve, or restore ecosystem services and environmental value of the Management Unit.
Have a management plan consistent with its policies and objectives and proportionate to the scale, intensity, and risks of its management activities.
Demonstrate that the impacts of management activities are monitored and evaluated to implement adaptive management.
Maintain or enhance the High Conservation Values in the Management Unit through applying the precautionary approach.
Management activities conducted by or for the organization for the management unit shall be selected and implemented consistent with the organization’s economic, environmental, and social policies and objectives and in compliance with the Principles and Criteria collectively.
Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX
This label is found on any textile and means that all components of the product including, prints, coatings, buttons, zippers etc. have been tested for harmful substances and is harmless to human health. This is important because with any textile in contact with your skin, any toxic substances they were treated with can be absorbed into your body. So, by purchasing products that have the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 label, you guarantee the textiles you wear or sleep in are safe. They update the criteria catalog yearly to stay up to date with any new scientific data, knowledge or new global requirements. They also have a handy buying guide so consumers can find OEKO-TEX labeled products.
B Corporation
A Certified B Corp is a business certification for companies who meet comprehensive and transparent social and environmental performance standards. This includes employee benefits, charitable giving, supply chain practices, and input materials. B Corps have become a part of a global cultural shift towards business as a force for good by using profits and growth as a means to committing to help build a more inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy. The B Corp Declaration of Interdependence states,
That we must be the change we seek in the world.
That all business ought to be conducted as if people and place mattered.
That, through their products, practices, and profits, businesses should aspire to do no harm and benefit all.
To do so requires that we act with the understanding that we are dependent upon another and thus responsible for each other and future generations.
Fair Trade Certified
Fair trade is a global movement or network of producers, companies, consumers, advocates, and organizations that put people and the planet first. It is based on the idea that everything bought and sold is connected to the livelihood of people across the globe. So, the Fair Trade network supports responsible companies, empowers sustainable farmers, workers, fishermen, etc all while protecting the environment. Any product like coffee, chocolate, linen towels, or a wooden bowl that has the fair trade logo on it meets the following criteria:
Safe working conditions
Environmental protection
Sustainable livelihoods
Community Development Funds
