Sustainability Labels: 5 Certifications to Look For

Suzi Quigg
Mar 6
2 min read

Updated: May 21

Organizations have the option to audit their sustainability practices by a third-party entity. This process encourages objectivity and provides useful information for the consumer.

You might wonder, how well does a company pay its employees? What production practices does a company use, and how do they affect the environment? Here are a few certifications that will help you answer these questions as you curate your sustainability journey.

B Corp: Environmental, Social, and Economic Sustainability

This certification shows that an organization is intentional about making a positive impact and respecting the triple bottom line. Companies must meet strict standards related to environmental, social, and governance practices, including:

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Stakeholder Inclusion
Worker Rights and Wages
Responsible Environmental Management

Global Organic Textile Standard: Environmental and Social Sustainability

This certification means that a textile company uses environmentally and socially responsible production practices. A few key areas include:

Organic textiles
Chemical output management
Supply chain transparency
Fair workers’ rights

OEKO-TEX: Environmental and Social Sustainability

OEKO-TEX ensures that companies are using materials that do not pose a risk to human health. This certification comes in various levels, including:

MADE IN GREEN
- Tested for harmful chemicals, responsibly manage outputs, workers’ rights, and material traceability
STANDARD 100
- Poses no risk to human or environmental health due to the evaluation of regulated and non-regulated chemicals
ORGANIC COTTON
- Organic materials, no conventionally grown cotton, material traceability, and free from chemicals harmful to human or environmental health
LEATHER
- Responsible environmental resource management, adherence to global regulatory standards, free from chemicals harmful to human health

1% for the Planet: Environmental Sustainability

An organization, brand, or product can meet the following criteria and demonstrate their commitment to environmental preservation.

Donate 1% of their annual revenue to environmental organizations within the 1% for the Planet network.

Fun Fact: This certification company was co-founded by Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia!

Fair Trade: Social and Economic Sustainability

This social impact certification ensures workers are cared for throughout each aspect of the supply chain through the following standards.

Economic Development for Workers and their Community
Supply Chain Transparency and Traceability
Minimum Price to Ensure Fair Wages
Comply with U.S. Environmental Laws and Free From Specific Pesticides

Certifications are a wonderful way to convey sustainability efforts. However, do not be discouraged if your favorite small business does not have these certifications! Oftentimes, larger companies are favored due to their high volume of products and ability to pay certification fees.

The next time you are browsing for options, be sure to search for these labels! They may be more common than you think!