Decoding Labels: What do they really mean?
Product labels can be confusing. Is “organic” the same as “eco-friendly”? What does a “cruelty-free” logo guarantee? Here is a guide to help you understand what common ethical and sustainable labels actually mean.
Fair Trade Certified
A label that guarantees workers in the supply chain are paid fair wages, work in safe conditions, and have rights to organize. It bans child labor and ensures a premium is paid to help local communities (e.g., for education or healthcare).
Also covers: environmental protections, including reduced water use and pesticide bans.
Found on: clothing, cotton, coffee, chocolate, and more.
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)
The most recognized certification for organic clothing. It ensures that a textile is made from at least 70% organic fibers, and that the entire supply chain – from cotton picking to dyeing to stitching – follows strict environmental and labor rules.
Also requires: wastewater treatment, no toxic chemicals, and social criteria based on ILO standards (e.g., no forced labor).
Found on: organic cotton t-shirts, underwear, bedding, etc.
OEKO-TEX Standard 100
Focuses on safety for humans and the environment. This label means the final product (fabric, buttons, thread) is tested for harmful substances like lead, formaldehyde, and azo dyes.
It does not guarantee fair labor – but is still a strong sign of non-toxic, skin-safe textiles.
Found on: Most baby clothes, bedsheets, and everyday apparel.
Bluesign
Focuses on reducing environmental harm in textile production. It ensures responsible chemical use, lower water and energy consumption, and worker health and safety in dyehouses and factories.
Found on: Outdoor gear (e.g., Patagonia, The North Face), activewear.
B Corp Certified
A certification for entire companies – not just a product. To get it, a company must meet high standards of social, environmental, and ethical responsibility, from workers rights to supply chain transparency.
Found on brands like: Danone, The Body Shop, etc.
Fairtrade
Ensures small-scale farmers and workers in developing countries are paid fairly, work under safe conditions, and can invest in their communities. It also bans child and forced labor and supports sustainable farming.
Covers: coffee, cocoa, tea, bananas, sugar, and more.
Rainforest Alliance
Focuses on sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation. Farmers must protect forests, wildlife, and waterways, reduce carbon emissions, and treat workers fairly.
Commonly used for: tea, coffee, cocoa, and bananas.
Note: Merged with UTZ in 2018 – now a combined standard.
EU Organic (Euro-leaf logo)
The official European Union organic label. It guarantees that food is grown without synthetic fertilizers, GMOs, or harmful pesticides, and that animals are treated humanely.
Also includes: animal welfare standards, biodiversity protection, and eco-friendly packaging.
Found on: milk, eggs, grains, fruit, meat, processed food.
UTZ Certified
Focused on improving farming practices, protecting the environment, and ensuring traceability in cocoa, coffee, tea, and hazelnuts. Still seen on some packaging, but being phased out under the Rainforest Alliance system.
MSC (Marine Stewardship Council)
For sustainable seafood. It ensures fish are caught responsibility – without overfishing, damaging the marine ecosystem, or using illegal methods.
Look for the MSC label on frozen and canned fish.
Leaping Bunny
The most rigorous cruelty-free certification. It means no animal testing at any stage – not by the company, suppliers, or manufacturers. Requires annual audits and supply chain transparency.
Cruelty-Free (PETA)
Products not tested on animals. Easier to obtain than Leaping Bunny, but still valuable. PETA requires a signed statement from the company and proof of cruelty-free practices.
Vegan Certified
Ensures the product contains no animal ingredients or byproducts, and is not tested on animals. Covers everything from makeup to shampoo and deodorants.
EcoCert
An EU-based label for natural and organic cosmetics. Requires that at least 95% of ingredients are natural, and packaging is eco-friendly. Also bans GMOs and parabens.
Common on: skin care, cleaning products, organic lotions, etc.
Carbon Neutral Certified
The company has measured its carbon emissions, reduced what it can, and offset the rest – often through verified environmental projects (like planting trees or clean energy funding).
EU Ecolabel (EU Flower)
The official EU sustainability label for non-food products. Looks at the full lifecycle of a product – from raw materials to disposal – and ensures it meets high environmental and performance standards.
Seen on: paper products, cleaning supplies, paint, personal care items.
Be careful with these (potential signs of greenwash):
“Eco-friendly”/”Natural” – No legal definition. Can be used freely with no proof.
“Sustainable” – Meaningless unless backed by actual certification.
“Dermatologically tested” – Does not guarantee safety, ethics, or cruelty-free status.
“Biodegradable packaging” – Unless certified, it can mean anything. Often misleading