Eco-Friendly Shopping? These Sustainability Certifications Matter.
In an age where there are more than half a million brands with new products constantly launching and consumerism is at an all-time high, how do we know which brands out there are following sustainable practices in their businesses? Which ones are not exploiting our natural resources?
It’s easy for brands to say they are ‘green’ and make statements that make the consumer think they are eco friendly. But how do we know for sure? That’s why we have Sustainability certifications. These certifications make it easy for us to figure out which brands are definitely sustainable and eco friendly. They verify a company’s commitment to ethical and environmentally responsible practices.
Below, we break down some of the most important sustainability certifications you should look for when shopping. These certifications ensure that brands have been rigorously tested to be environmentally friendly. Look out for these badges to live a more sustainable lifestyle.
1. Fair Trade Certified
Fair Trade certification guarantees that workers are paid fairly and work in safe conditions while ensuring sustainable farming practices that benefit communities.
Type: Ethical and social responsibility certification
How Brands earn it: Businesses must meet Fair Trade USA’s standards for fair wages, safe working conditions, and local sustainability.
Testing and Standards: Regular audits asses labor rights, environmental impact, and community investment to ensure ethical production practices.
Brands with Fair Trade Certification:
- Ben & Jerry’s – Uses Fair Trade ingredients in its ice cream.
- Alter Eco – Offers Fair Trade chocolate whilst boasting ‘the cleanest greenest snacks on earth’ and involved in regenerative agriculture.
- Green and Blacks – Uses fair trade cocoa powder for a delicious deep chocolatey flavour
- Dip & Doze – Offer fair trade certified cotton bedding sets for a natural cosy nights sleep
2. USDA Organic
This certification checks that food and agricultural products are grown without synthetic pesticides, GMOs, and harmful chemicals, making them cleaner for you and greener for the environment.
Type: Agricultural and food certification
How brands earn it: Companies must comply with the USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) standards, which says NO to synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Testing and Standards: Regular inspections checking that at least 95% of a product’s ingredients are organic. Soil quality, animal welfare, and farming practices are also assessed.
Brands with USDA Organic Certification:
- Nature’s Path – Produces certified organic cereals and granola.
- Dr. Bronner’s – Offers USDA Organic-certified personal care and cleaning products.
3. B Corp Certification
B Corp certification is awarded to businesses that meet high social and environmental standards, ensuring they operate responsibly and transparently.
Type: Corporate sustainability certification
How It Is Acquired: Companies must pass the B Impact Assessment, scoring high in governance, community, environment, and worker impact.
Testing and Standards: Companies must score at least 80 out of 200 points and undergo an assessment every three years to maintain certification.
Brands with B Corp Certification:
- Patagonia – Sustainable outdoor clothing.
- Eileen Fisher – Focuses on ethical fashion and responsible sourcing.
- Ben & Jerry’s – Ice Cream
- AllBirds – Sustainable Footwear
- TOMS – Uses organic cotton in their shoes
- The Body Shop – Beauty experts dedicated to sustainable and ethical practices.
4. LEED Certification
LEED: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.
LEED is the world’s most widely used green building rating system. It recognizes buildings and structures that are energy-efficient, use sustainable materials, and minimize waste and water consumption.
Type: Sustainable building certification
How Brands earn it: The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) awards this certification based on energy efficiency, water usage, air quality, and material sustainability.
Testing and Standards: Buildings earn points based on sustainable design, construction, and operational efficiency.
The levels go from:
- Certified (40-49 points)
- Silver (50-59 points)
- Gold (60-79 points)
- Platinum (80+ points)
Examples of LEED-Certified Companies:
- Apple Park, Apple’s headquarters, California – LEED Platinum
- The Empire State Building, New York City – LEED Gold
- The Crystal, London – LEED Platinum
5. FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certification
FSC certification ensures that wood and paper products come from responsibly managed forests, preventing deforestation and habitat destruction.
Type: Sustainable forestry certification
How Brand earn it: Companies must follow FSC principles, ensuring responsible forest management and replanting efforts.
Testing and Standards: Annual audits verify that wood and paper products come from responsibly managed forests.
Brands with FSC Certification:
- Seventh Generation – Produces FSC-certified paper products.
- IKEA – Sources FSC-certified wood for furniture.
6. Cradle to Cradle Certification
Cradle to Cradle certification ensures that products are designed for continuous reuse, recycling, or composting, promoting a circular economy.
Type: Circular economy certification
How Brands earn it: The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute evaluates products based on material health, recyclability, water stewardship, and carbon management.
Testing and Standards: Products are assessed for their ability to be continuously recycled or biodegraded without harming the environment.
Brands with Cradle to Cradle Certification:
- Blueland – Produces plastic free sustainable cleaning essentials.
- Herman Miller – Designs sustainable office furniture.
7. OEKO-TEX Standard 100
OEKO-TEX certification guarantees that textiles are free from harmful chemicals, making them safe for your skin and the environment.
Type: Textile safety certification
How Brands earn it: Manufacturers must meet strict limits on harmful substances in textiles.
Testing and Standards: Products are tested in labs to ensure they are free from toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde and heavy metals.
Brands with OEKO-TEX Certification:
- H&M Conscious Collection – Offers OEKO-TEX-certified clothing.
- Patagonia – creates outdoor clothing
Why These Certifications Matter
Sustainability certifications are more than just labels; they show us a brands commitment to environmentally friendly living and sustainability. It shows us they care about us and our environment, not just their pockets.
Through our choices WE can make a difference. YOU can make a difference. Together we can shop greener, for a cleaner way of life.
Every small choice matters, and together, we can drive a more sustainable world.