Sustainability is a big deal right now, with more consumers demanding products that are kinder to people and the environment. No wonder we’re noticing an influx of businesses and professionals obtaining sustainability certifications and eco-labels.
But, why sustainability certifications and eco-labels, you ask?
These credentials provide businesses with the framework and tools they need to measure and improve the sustainability of their production and consumption practices. In the case of professionals, they help verify their practical expertise by requiring them to take an exam.
Of course, certifications and eco-labels aren’t the ultimate solution for all environmental and social woes. Still, we think they are a great starting point and resource to encourage more businesses and professionals to be more transparent and accountable for their operations.
They are also a great tool for consumers to distinguish businesses that are truly sustainable from those that are just “greenwashing” — a practice in which businesses self-proclaim they are green without substantive credentials to back it up.
Today, hundreds of third-party certifications and ecolabels exist. Checking each of them would be overwhelming. So to somehow ease the burden, we’ve listed some renowned credentials in the sustainability field below.
This list is by no means exhaustive, but it should be a good starting point for businesses and professionals to determine which credentials could fit their needs and goals.
Certifications for Environmental Protection and Climate Action
1. ISO 14001
Image Credit: ISO
ISO 14001 is a standard for adopting environmental management systems (EMS). It is one of the standards set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which independently develops and publishes international standards for companies in over 160 countries. The credential is widely used by businesses seeking to reduce their environmental footprint, increase business efficiency, and ensure regulatory compliance.
ISO 14001 provides businesses with the knowledge and tools to set up an effective EMS. When done right, an EMS can assist in improving environmental performance by ensuring efficiency in how businesses use resources, reduce emissions, and manage waste.
2. Rainforest Alliance Certification Program
Image Credit: Rainforest Alliance
The Rainforest Alliance Certification is a credential that supports social, economic, and environmentally sound practices by empowering businesses in the coffee, cocoa, tea, and forestry products industries.
The Rainforest Alliance Certification Program’s criteria promote and protect multiple areas, including:
- Sustainable agriculture
- Responsible land management methods
- Wildlife conservation and biodiversity preservation
- Protection of rights and livelihoods of farmworkers
Achieving this seal of approval gives businesses a competitive edge by providing them with a reliable means to communicate to stakeholders their sustainability commitments, which include keeping a responsible supply chain.
3. Climate Neutral Certification
Image Credit: Change Climate Project
Climate Neutral Certification seeks to bring global carbon emissions to net-zero by supporting businesses in decarbonizing their operations.
The structured certification process lasts for 3-4 months. By the end, businesses are assured of an effective way to reduce their energy use and waste management costs and make climate a part of their consumer engagement.
The great thing about the Climate Neutral Certification is that it follows a three-step verification process:
- Measure the previous year’s emissions from the entire lifecycle of products and services
- Reduce value chain emissions by documenting plans and progress
- Contribute to global net-zero by offsetting remaining emissions
By making the process straightforward, it becomes affordable and accessible to all businesses. It also enables them to spend their dollars on things that really make a difference in mitigating climate change.
4. Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Forest Management Certification
Image Credit: FSC
Logging, wood harvesting, and other forestry operations are a hotbed for unsustainable practices. Although they provide timber products for making furniture, paper, and other forest goods, they are also among the biggest contributors for deforestation.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) aims to address the issue by introducing certifications, including the FSC Forest Management Certification.
Providing unified guidelines based on FSC’s standards, this certification helps companies and landowners provide assurance to stakeholders of responsible forest management operations and practices.
According to FSC, it has issued more than 1,800 forest management certificates worldwide. That covers over 230 million hectares of forest lands being responsibly managed by businesses and landowners that care for the environment and not just their bottom line.
5. Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Certification
Image Credit: SFI
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Certification advocates for sustainable forest management in North America. There are multiple standards upon which businesses can assess their operations, products, and services. They cover forest management, fiber sourcing, and chain-of-custody.
SFI-certified businesses have forestry operations that prevent deforestation and embrace other sustainability practices.
Certifications on Fair Practices and Social Impact
1. Fair Trade International Certification
Image Source: Fair Trade International
Fair Trade International Certification recognizes businesses that comply with the sustainable trading standards set by Fair Trade USA and Fair Trade International.
The certification aims to enrich the lives of farmers and workers by ensuring the following:
- Fair product pricing
- A living wage
- Safe working conditions
- Access to advanced credit
- Secure buyer relations
The certification process is conducted by FLOCERT, an independent, ISO-accredited auditor. It conducts a rigorous physical audit of the entire business supply chain, making sure it is aligned with Fair Trade International’s standards.
If no non-conformities are found during evaluation or if they have been corrected by the business following an audit, FLOCERT awards the certification, which is effective for three years.
Note that the Fair Trade International Certification applies to producers, traders, manufacturers, importers, and exporters. Businesses that want their products to have the Fairtrade label need to apply as a licensee, which follows a different process.
2. SA8000 Accreditation Program
Image Credit: SAI
The Social Accountability International (SAI) developed the SA8000 Accreditation Program to call attention to and tackle the social and human rights issues affecting supply chains. It is administered by certification bodies accredited by the Social Accountability Accreditation Services (SAAS), an independently managed division of SAI.
SA8000’s criteria chiefly focus on workers’ rights. Businesses that receive this certification ensure solid social compliance management throughout their operations, covering ethical employment practices, fair compensation, safe working conditions, and freedom of association, to name a few.
3. World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) Guarantee System
Image Credit: WFTO
The World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) Guarantee System is a certification for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Created by the World Fair Trade Organization, it assesses the entire business, including its structure and business model, as opposed to focusing on a specific commodity or supply chain domain.
This process ensures an enterprise is completely aligned with WFTO’s Fair Trade Standard, which is based on the 10 Principles of Fair Trade and the conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Businesses seeking to undergo WFTO’s guarantee system must fill out a series of self-assessment reports. They also need to develop and implement an improvement plan and go through monitoring and desk audits conducted by WFTO-trained auditors.
Members who complete and pass the GS process are awarded the “Guaranteed Fair Trade Enterprise” status, giving them access to WFTO’s tools and community, and the permission to use the WFTO label on their products or services.
Certifications for Materials, Products, and Buildings and Design
1. Cradle to Cradle Certified™
Image Credit: Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute Inc.
Cradle to Cradle Certified™ is a certification program by Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Inc. It verifies the safety, circularity, and responsible development of various products, ranging from furniture to packaging.
The certification has four ascending achievement levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. These levels encourage businesses to improve and innovate their products continuously.
Those awarded with a certification need to recertify triannually to remain listed on the Cradle to Cradle Certified Products Registry.
2. The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
Image Credit: GOTS
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification is a quality assurance system for products made with organic materials. Before a product can be labeled as GOTS certified, its entire supply chain must be inspected by an approved certification body, from harvesting and garment making to wholesale.
GOTS issues two certification documents: Scope Certificates (SCs) verifying that a supplier meets the GOTS criteria for processing GOTS goods and Transaction Certificates (TCs) verifying that the products themselves satisfy all GOTS product standards.
3. USDA Organic
Image Credit: USDA Organic
The USDA Organic Certification is awarded to farms and businesses adopting organic practices in the production of their products. The rules and regulations of the certification were developed by the National Organic Program of the US Department of Agriculture with input from the National Organic Standards Board and the public.
A USDA-accredited certifying agent will conduct the certification process, review the application, and verify compliance with USDA organic regulations. Then, an on-site inspection will be conducted to assess an applicant’s operation.
Should it meet the regulations, the organic certification will be awarded and should be renewed annually following the same process.
4. Global Recycle Standard
Image Credit: Global Recycle Standard
Global Recycle Standard (GRS) is a certification developed by the Textile Exchange for products derived from recycled materials, including those with recycled content higher than 50%. Besides tracing recycled inputs, the certification also provides additional social and environmental standards pertaining to production and chemical use.
Following the ISO 1421 standards, this certification covers the full supply chain of a product “from source to store.” It aims to verify the presence of recycled content in products, ensure transparent and responsible production, encourage recycling, and support consumers in their buying decisions.
A third-party certifier must carry out GRS certification. Annual audits need to be conducted to maintain the certification.
5. OEKO-TEX®
Image Credit: OEKO-TEX®
OEKO-TEX® is a group of certifications and labels given to various products, including textiles and leather goods, that are verified safe and responsibly sourced and produced. Developed by the International Association for Research and Testing, OEKO-TEX has three credentials:
- STANDARD 100 ensures certified products are free from toxic chemicals that can harm users’ health and the environment.
- MADE IN GREEN offers supply chain traceability, ensuring that a certified product has been tested for harmful substances and responsibly developed in a certified and audited facility.
- ORGANIC COTTON provides assurance that products with this label are free from GMOs, pesticides, and other toxic chemicals.
6. EWG Verified™
Image Credit: EWG
Personal care and consumer products are notorious for containing harmful ingredients to people and the environment. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) aims to change that and provide consumers the power to choose safer and healthier products through its EWG Verified™ program.
EWG Verified recognizes products that meet EWG’s standards for ingredients’ safety and disclosure transparency. EWG’s seasoned team of scientists developed the program’s science-backed standards and criteria, ensuring their reliability.
Brands seeking to get the EWG Verified mark on their products will undergo a thorough testing, evaluation, and disclosure process.
Once verified, products can use the mark for three years. After that, the brand must resubmit their products’ details and undergo the verification process again.
7. UL GREENGUARD
Image Credit: UL GREENGUARD
UL GREENGUARD Certification programs set the test methods and emission limits for many products, including building materials, furniture, electronics, and cleaning products.
Its standards cover health-based criteria that aim to limit more than 360 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in different consumer products. These compounds are proven to affect indoor air quality and can cause headaches, dizziness, and irritation.
Long-term exposure to some VOCs has also been found to result in chronic diseases.
Products certified under the UL GREENGUARD standard undergo routine and manufacturing process testing to ensure minimal impact on indoor air quality. Those that undergo the UL GREENGUARD Gold Certification comply with stricter emissions requirements set by California Section 01350.
8. ENERGY STAR Certification
Image Credit: Energy Star
The energy consumption of home appliances, electronics, buildings, and industrial facilities influences greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants. The more energy they consume, the more fossil fuels are burned, which means more atmospheric emissions.
The ENERGY STAR certification follows the standards the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set. It is designed to reduce emissions by supporting the production and adoption of energy-efficient products and practices.
To obtain the Energy Star label, a third party must test and verify products against strict performance requirements. Buildings and industrial facilities must undergo third-party inspections and testing, ensuring they earn an Energy Star score of 75 or higher.
Animal Welfare
1. Leaping Bunny
Image Credit: Leaping Bunny
Leaping Bunny Program by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC) is a process that verifies cruelty-free brands.
Products bearing the mark guarantee that the brands behind them do not conduct animal testing throughout their production, from research to sourcing and beyond. It offers an easy way for consumers to make an informed and responsible choice.
As of this writing, more than 2000 brands are Leaping Bunny-certified.
2. Vegan Action’s Certified Vegan
Image Credit: Vegan Action
Similar to Leaping Bunny, Certified Vegan by Vegan Action indicates that a product is free from animal-derived ingredients and is not tested on animals. It helps consumers shop without constantly checking the ingredients list by assuring that a product complies with vegan ethical and sustainability standards.
The certification also helps mainstream the vegan lifestyle. Such increased consumer awareness encourages brands to develop cruelty-free products and educates the public about veganism.
3. Vegan Trademark
Image Credit: The Vegan Society
Vegan Trademark is a certification offered by The Vegan Society. It has verified vegan products since 1990, reassuring consumers that their choices meet high standards for cruelty-free ingredients and production practices.
To ensure the integrity of its standards and thoroughly assess products, Vegan Trademark works closely with the manufacturers and supply chains of brands registering their vegan options.
Receiving the certification requires products to be free from animal-derived ingredients or by-products. Production and management processes must also not involve the testing of any sort of animal at any stage.
Today, over 60,000 products bear the Vegan Trademark. The list keeps growing to include products from popular brands such as Lush, Gola, Superdry, and even Burger King.
4. Global Beauty Without Bunnies Program
Image Credit: PETA
Beauty Without Bunnies is a program that endorses products made without animal testing that do not contain animal-derived ingredients.
Offered by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), this certification program has been around since 1987. It is considered the gold standard for consumers and supporters looking to shop with cruelty-free and vegan values in mind.
Under Beauty Without Bunnies, businesses can be certified based on one of two categories:
- Global animal test-free verifies that businesses, including their suppliers, do not conduct any type of animal testing on their ingredients, formulations, and finished products.
- Global animal test-free and vegan verifies businesses with supply chains and product lines that are completely cruelty-free.
The certification is free for both categories. Once certified, companies or brands can use PETA’s logos for a one-time licensing fee of $350.
Other Notable Certifications
1. B Corp Certification
Image Credit: B Lab
B Corp Certification is a rigorous assessment that measures a business’s overall environmental and social impact. It is operated by B Lab, a non-profit organization established in 2006.
As of April 2024, there are over 8,600 certified B Corporations across 162 industries in over 90 countries.
There are multiple pathways to becoming a certified B Corp, depending on factors like industry, business size, employee count, revenue, etc.
Each certification route requires a business to undergo a specific approach. However, they all share the same basic standards that require businesses to:
- Achieve a score of 80 or above on the B Impact Assessment. They also need to pass B Lab’s risk review. Multinational companies must meet the B Lab’s baseline requirement standards.
- Change their corporate governance structure and legally commit to demonstrate stakeholder accountability. They must also achieve benefit corporation status if available in their jurisdiction.
- Demonstrate transparency by agreeing to publish the status of their performance against B Lab’s standards on their B Corp profile and on B Lab’s website.
2. ETHY Certification
Image Credit: ETHY
ETHY Certification provides brands with a transparent system to verify their sustainability claims and contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The certification’s holistic sustainability standards were developed in partnership with Efeca, Carbon Neutral Britain, Edinburgh University Innovations, and Social Enterprise UK.
They aim to achieve six goals:
- stable climate
- clean planet
- responsible use and production of resources
- healthy people
- thriving communities
- biodiversity and animal protection
ETHY simplifies the verification process through online application and assessment. Applicants are provided with a comprehensive dashboard where they can choose their preferred ecolabel and submit their application and supporting documents.
ETHY’s experts assess the application and award the certification with a two-week turnaround.
Businesses can apply for reassessments anytime without additional cost.
For Professionals
1. LEED Professional Credentials
Image Credit: USGBC LEED AP with Specialty Candidate Handbook
LEED Professional Credentials are offered by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), which also developed the most widely adopted green building rating system, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).
LEED Professional Credentials recognize the expertise of professionals in green building. They are used by more than 200,000 professionals worldwide to establish their credibility in sustainable design, construction, and operations standards.
There are two certification routes offered within the LEED Professional Credentials:
- LEED Green Associate provides foundational credentials to professionals new to green building. It measures their knowledge of core green building principles and how to support other professionals involved in LEED projects.
Earning this credential requires exposure to LEED and green building concepts through structured courses, volunteering, or work experience. It also involves a 2-hour long examination, spanning 100 multiple-choice questions.
- LEED AP with Specialty applies to experienced professionals actively working on green building and LEED projects. It verifies their proficiency in green building and a specific LEED rating system.
This certification combines exams for LEED Green Associate and LEED AP with Specialty. To maintain this credential, professionals must obtain 30 hours of continuing education within two years of passing the exam.
2. Sustainability Excellence Credentials
Image Credit: ISSP
Sustainability Excellence Credentials help professionals demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and substantiate their competency in leading sustainability initiatives. Professionals can choose between the Sustainability Excellence Associate (SEA) and the Sustainability Excellence Professional (SEP).
SEA is a foundational credential for early career professionals, fresh graduates, students, and those new to the sustainability field. It offers fundamental sustainability concepts, trends, issues, and frameworks.
On the other hand, SEP is for sustainability professionals with advanced knowledge and experience in the field. To become eligible for this credential, a professional must demonstrate mastery in key sustainability disciplines, including strategy planning and implementation, stakeholder management, initiative evaluation, and plan adjustment.
Both credentials are administered by the International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP).
3. Green Globes Credentialing
Image Credit: GGP
Green Globes Credentialing by the Green Building Initiative (GBI) offers professionals within the green building field to distinguish themselves with a sustainability expertise credential. The goal is to give professionals the knowledge and skills to develop, evaluate, support, and manage the environmental sustainability, health, and resilience of all building types.
Professionals have five certification pathways/designations to choose from:
- Green Globes Emerging Professional (GGEP) is for students pursuing degrees like design, construction management, engineering, and sustainability. Architects, engineers, and sustainability professionals with less than 5 years of experience are also eligible for this certification.
- Green Globes Professional is a credential designed to help experienced professionals master the unique building assessment and rating system of Green globes.
- Guiding Principles Compliance Professional is aimed for experienced building industry professionals involved in the federal government. It is meant to build their competency in the Green Building Initiative (GBI) Guiding Principles Compliance (GPC) sustainable building assessment system. Certified GPCPs can offer consulting and project management services to clients.
- Green Globes Assessor helps sustainability professionals develop comprehensive knowledge to make built environments sustainable. Those who obtain this designation are verified to have technical expertise in sustainable design, construction, energy, and facility management.
- Fellow is a distinction given by the GBI to professionals with demonstrated success in improving built environments following its Green Globes standards. There are two certification routes for aspiring fellows: Green Globe Fellow and Guiding Principles Compliance Fellow.
4. Association of Climate Change Officers (ACCO) Credentialing
Image Credit: ACCO
The Association of Climate Change Officers (ACCO) offers certifications to climate change professionals looking to validate their expertise and contribute to climate change mitigation.
Two credentialing routes are available for interested climate change professionals:
- The Certified Climate Change Professional (CC-P) Candidate is the ideal stepping stone for individuals transitioning to a climate change career, including young professionals and graduating students. It covers core knowledge and competencies for supporting climate preparedness and action activities.
- The Certified Climate Change Professional® (CC-P®) is the certification for senior- and mid-level professionals in the fields of climate change, sustainability, resilience, and/or adaptation. Earning this CCP credential reflects mastery of critical climate change disciplines. These include concepts and systems, vulnerability assessment, GHG footprint reduction, organizational change, stakeholder engagement, risk management, and response strategies.
Ways Sustainability Certifications and Ecolabels Add Value to Businesses and Professionals
Now that we’ve covered some of the leading sustainable certifications and ecolabels, you’re probably wondering if it makes sense to obtain one or even several of them. Our answer is a resounding “Yes!”
Sustainability certifications and ecolabels are vital additions to your credentials, and there are good reasons for that.
A study by Harvard Business Review examined 180 businesses over the course of 18 years. Those embracing sustainability practices showed improved financial performance in the context of return on equity and return on assets compared to better competitors.
It means that sustainability certifications help businesses convey compliance to strict environmental ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance). This becomes their biggest differentiator, allowing them to gain consumers’ attention, trust, and loyalty.
Such an outcome is aligned with what has been shown as consumers’ willingness to support brands and products with ESG-related claims.
Enhanced access to sustainability-related financing is another merit of having a sustainability credential.
According to MSCI ESG, based on its 4-year study of multiple companies, those with higher ESG ratings demonstrate lower capital costs, suggesting stronger investor interest and creditors’ willingness to lend at lower rates.
On the part of professionals, obtaining sustainability certifications may require a significant investment of time and money. Yet, in a field like sustainability, where challenges and changes evolve, these credentials are essential for personal growth and career success.
Facing increasing pressure from the public and regulators to work on their sustainability efforts and goals, companies recognize that they need the help of a workforce with practical sustainability knowledge.
As a result, they are very selective of the people they hire, often focusing their attention on professionals with certifications. Companies view these credentials as a commitment to continuing education and a willingness to translate learning into actions.
Certain certifications can also influence promotions and earnings.
According to Ryan Miller, Employment BOOST’s director of client success, substantive credentials on resumes can lead to salary increases of up to 20 percent depending on the industry and demand for a certification.
Some Reminders When Obtaining a Sustainability Certification or Ecolabel
Ready to acquire a certification or ecolabel? Here are a few basic things to do to ensure you come prepared and get the verification you or your business deserves:
- Research and choose the right credentials for your needs and goals.
- Stay on top of the requirements and standards to ensure compliance.
- Implement sustainable practices and engage key stakeholders (for businesses).
- Participate in training/workshops (for professionals).
- Prepare the supporting evidence to validate the sustainability of your products/services, practices, and initiatives.
If you are a business seeking to obtain certification for your operation or product, complete the certification process by submitting the application and undergoing an assessment or audit.
If you are a professional, show your sustainability expertise by passing the certification exam.
Once you are awarded a sustainability certification or ecolabel, be sure to keep ongoing compliance with the standards. Engage in continuous development or learning and renew your certification on time.
Final Thoughts
Sustainability certifications or ecolabels are worthwhile investments. They serve as a differentiator that substantiates the sustainability claims of businesses and opens job opportunities for professionals.
As the sustainability field evolves, certifications and ecolabels can be your or your business’s best ally. They will show employers or consumers your full commitment to making a difference to the environment and other people’s lives.
