From Complexity to Clarity: A Map to Find and Establish Credible Labels
Today, sustainability labels are widely used to inform purchasing decisions, procurement processes, and market claims. Across sectors and regions, hundreds of ecolabels and certification schemes exist, covering environmental, social, and ethical aspects of products and services. While this growing landscape reflects increased attention to sustainability, it has also made it more difficult for users to understand which labels are credible, how they differ, and how to assess their robustness. For many stakeholders, particularly those without technical expertise, navigating this complexity can be challenging and may increase the risk of confusion, misinformation, or greenwashing.
The Map to Find and Establish Credible Labels was developed to help address this challenge. The interactive map brings together practical resources in one place to support users in navigating the diverse ecosystem of ecolabels and certification schemes. Rather than promoting specific labels or prescribing which tools should be used, the map provides a consolidated reference that enables users to identify relevant resources according to their needs and context.
How the Map Helps in Practice
The map is structured around two complementary sections: Find Credible Labels and Establish Credible Labels.
The Find Credible Labels section brings together existing tools that help users search for, identify, and compare ecolabels and certification schemes. These include search engines, mobile applications, curated lists, and guidance documents developed by a range of organisations. The resources in this section are intended to support users who are looking to understand what labels exist, what they cover, and how they can be compared in terms of scope, criteria, and governance. This can be particularly useful for consumers making every day purchasing choices, businesses selecting certifications for products or services, and public procurers developing sustainability requirements.
The Establish Credible Labels section focuses on resources that support the development, improvement, or strengthening of ecolabels and certification schemes. It includes frameworks, guidelines, and best-practice documents that outline how credible schemes can be designed, structured, governed, and implemented. These resources address key elements such as transparency, governance arrangements, verification processes, stakeholder engagement, and alignment with international standards and guidelines. This section is particularly relevant for public and private entities that are developing new ecolabels and certification schemes, revising existing ones, or seeking to better align their approaches with recognised good practices.
Together, these two sections reflect the dual objective of the map: supporting users in identifying credible labels that already exist, while also contributing to longer-term efforts to improve the overall quality and credibility of ecolabels and certification schemes.
Goal of the Map
The primary goal of the map is to contribute to greater transparency, trust, and credibility in sustainability claims. By compiling both “Find Credible Labels” and “Establish Credible Labels” resources in one place, the map enables users to select the most suitable tools according to their specific needs and decision-making context It thereby supports informed decision-making and helps reduce the risk of misinformation and greenwashing. Ultimately, it aims to promote more sustainable production and consumption patterns by strengthening the role of credible consumer information.
Who Can Benefit from the Map
The map is designed for a broad and diverse audience.
Consumers can use the “Find Credible Labels” resources to better understand ecolabels and certification schemes encountered in everyday purchases and to make more informed choices.
Public procurers can use the tools to identify credible, pre-established criteria that can inform sustainable public procurement requirements and tender specifications.
Businesses, including manufacturers, retailers, and service providers, can reference the map when selecting credible certifications for products, services, or operations, or when assessing existing schemes.
Public and private entities involved in developing, managing, or revising ecolabels and certification schemes can use the “Establish Credible Labels” resources to strengthen governance, verification, and overall credibility.
An Evolving Resource
The map is intended as a living document that will be updated periodically to reflect new or revised tools and resources. Contributions and suggestions for additional tools are welcome, and users are encouraged to share relevant resources to help improve and expand the map over time. Please write to: ciscp@un.org
