An ecolabel is a logo that identifies a product or company that has met an environmentally preferable standard.

It’s not always obvious what an ecolabel means (which is why we created ecolabelling.org to begin with). There are lots of different standards with varying levels of quality control around the world.

How it usually works
Typically, a company applies to a ecolabelling organisation for the right to use its label on their product. They pay an application fee and if they successfully meet the standard often pay a fee to use it. Sometimes they just decide to award themselves a label - certainly faster, but perhaps less credible.

Types of Labels
The International Standards Organisation (ISO) identifies three types of ecolabels.

1. The seal of approval: If you meet the standard you get the label.
2. General claim: Adding a generic green term to the product name like “organic” or “biodegradable”. This type is the most likely to be guilty of greenwashing.
3. Graded: Like “grade A beef” or “a four star hotel” graded labels provide relative indicators of quality that allow the consumer to select between different grades.

Why use ecolabels?
To make it easier for us to buy and sell eco-friendly products and services!

It’s nice to just walk down the aisle at the grocery store and pick out the things that are good for the planet and for us. It’s easy, we’re stoked we’re doing the right thing, and we don’t have to think about it too much. In essence: “Boom! Done.”

We’re honestly concerned the flourishing of ecolabels could change the “Boom! Done.” aspect of green purchasing to “what the heck do all these labels mean” or worse “this whole label thing is so over. File under ignored”.

There’s another aspect of ecolabels beyond the individual consumer. Having standards makes it easier for governments and companies to build policies around how to buy and sell green. That’s where some big deal stuff can happen. Home Depot or the Canadian Government can say “Boom! Done.” and have a massive impact.