Logo | Name | Purpose |
Organic Food Production Act of 1990 |
Single ingredient foods such as produce or grains with the USDA Organic label meet the standards set forth by the USDA. Unfortunately, this label does not ensure that the food is entirely chemical free. Some short-lived botanical sprays and a few herbicides and insecticides are allowed during organic cultivation. Multi-ingredient foods may have one of three labels: 100% Organic, Organic or Certified Organic, or Made with Organic Ingredients. 100% Organic is self-explanatory. Organic or Certified Organic means that 95-99% of the ingredients are organic. Made with Organic Ingredients means certifies 70-94% of the ingredients are organic. For more information, visit the USDA site. |
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Certified Naturally Gorwn Naturally Gorwn Food |
Certified Naturally Grown is a non-profit, alternative certification program utilized by many farmers in the United States. |
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Good Housekeeping Green Seal 2009 |
Any item that earns the Good Housekeeping Green Seal must first earn the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval, which provides a 2-year limited warranty. Good Housekeeping’s website says, “For the Beauty and Cleaning product categories, a product that earns the Green Good Housekeeping Seal cannot contain certain harmful ingredients or any ozone-depleting compounds (ODCs) above 0.001%, produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) above a certain threshold, or have been tested on animals within the last five years (unless required by government regulation).” For specifics, visit their site. |
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Green Seal 1989 Products and Services Hotels, businesses, stains and finishes etc. Lifecycle certification. |
As stated on their website: “Green Seal meets the criteria of ISO 14020 and 14024, the standards for ecolabeling set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO); the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's criteria for third-party certifiers of environmentally preferable products; and the criteria for bona fide ecolabeling bodies of the Global Ecolabeling Network.” Click here for Green Seal's website. | |
Green Globe Sustainable Tourism |
Green Globe certification is for hotels, transportation, and other businesses that support tourism. They state, “Green Globe Certificated businesses meet rigorous sustainability standards and are verified by independent auditors.” Click here to visit their website. |
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EcoLogoTM Program
Third-party certification of environmentally-preferable products 1988 Canada, but now recognized world wide. |
EcoLogo certifies thousands of products over a wide range of categories. It is a Type I eco-label as defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that meets the ISO 14024 standards. Visit EcoLogo's Site for more information. | |
Market Transformation to Sustainability (MTS) was launched in 2000. |
SMaRT certification is the certification of the Institute for Market Transformation to Sustainability (MTS). They state, “MTS dedicates its entire operation to raising awareness of the positive impact that manufacturing, promoting, and purchasing sustainable product choices has on every aspect of our daily lives.” SMaRT certification covers more than 80% of the world’s products. Click here to visit their website. |
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MBDC Cradle to Cradle Cradle to Cradle certification designates eco-effective design. Lifecycle certification. |
MBDC Cradle to Cradle Certification is an eco-effective design certification that analyses how a product is manufactured, what materials were used, reuse of materials, energy efficiency and more. If a product receives certification, it is certified as Basic, Silver, Gold or Platinum Cradle to Cradle CertifiedCM. This is an exceptional certification, as it evaluates the entire lifecycle of a product. For more information, read their certification overview. |
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Rainforest Alliance Protects the rainforest and its inhabitants. |
On their website, the Alliance states, “The Rainforest Alliance works with foresters, farmers and tour operators throughout the world to ensure that their goods and services are environmentally and socially friendly.” Visit their website for more information. | |
USGBC or the U.S. Green Building Council Green Building Certification |
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System TM is an internationally recognized, third party certification that uses a point system to measure green building design, construction, operations, and maintenance. On their website they state, “LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.” Certifications scores are as follows: 40+ points are required for certification; 50+ points qualify for LEED Silver Certification; 60+ points qualify for LEED Gold Certification; 80+ points qualify for LEED Platinum Certification. For more information visit their website. |
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Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO) Certifies wages, labor conditions, and environmental impact. |
The FLO is a group of 24 organizations that set international Fairtrade standards and support Fairtrade producers. Visit their website fro more infromation. | |
An energy efficiency certification backed by the U.S. government, best known for appliances. |
ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. To learn more go to wikipedia.org. | |
ANSI is a non-profit founded in 1918 |
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) works to “strengthen the U.S. marketplace position in the global economy while helping to assure the safety and health of consumers and the protection of the environment.” Its mission: “To enhance both the global competitiveness of U.S. business and the U.S. quality of life by promoting and facilitating voluntary consensus standards and conformity assessment systems, and safeguarding their integrity.” Click here for their website. |
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International
Organization
for Standardization World Economy Sustainability |
ISO develops and publishes international standards, including specific environmental standards. Check out ISO's website |