As a business owner or consumer, it’s easy to get drawn to labels and sustainability certifications touting benefits and claims. For sustainable businesses, they are multiple certifications to be aware of. 

Sustainability certifications are important to understand because they give us a clear indication of where sustainability stands today. 

Some of these certifications or verifications might be available to your business, or you as a consumer. Becoming familiar with these will guide you in the lingo of sustainability and grow your understanding of this vast industry. 

Certification from one of the below bodies is a way to communicate with customers in a recognizable way. It immediately puts you in a class of peers dedicated to a specific sustainability action. Instead of saying “our supply chain is sustainable,” a certification is an instantly recognizable standard.

This is a roundup of popular “sustainability certifications” and how they can be applied to your business. This is by no means comprehensive but is meant to provide an overview and encourage individual research. 

“Certification from one of the below bodies is a way to communicate with customers in a recognizable way. It immediately puts you in a class of peers dedicated to a specific sustainability action. Instead of saying “our supply chain is sustainable,” a certification is verifiable to stakeholders. ”

Organic Certification

“Organic” is probably the most popular certification and most well known. Unless you’re a local farm, you probably aren’t getting this certification in your business. But it’s one you’ve seen and should know about. 

According to the USDA, “USDA certified organic foods are grown and processed according to federal guidelines addressing, among many factors, soil quality, animal raising practices, pest and weed control, and use of additives. Organic producers rely on natural substances and physical, mechanical, or biologically based farming methods to the fullest extent possible.” Organic foods must also be grown without genetically modified organisms (GMOs). 

In short, organic farmers are those that try to make farming practices closely aligned with the health of the plant and the soil, and preserve the farming system in alignment with its external environment. This means avoiding synthetic chemicals, practicing crop rotation and safe pest management.

If you’re supporting organic foods or farms, you’re supporting a community that puts the health of the land and food above the quantity of production. 

How Your Business Can Use It

When purchasing food for office functions, be aware of organic options or products. Encourage employees to support local farmers' markets or organic producers.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certification

FSC is the Forest Stewardship Council. They’re an organization that certifies harvested wood from forests that are environmentally conscious and responsibly managed. This means that the wood is not coming from places that are deforested, harming indigenous tribes or contributing to illegal practices. 

The FSC is a non-profit that operates a third-party verification system for forests. For a company, the “Chain of Custody” certification can be used by suppliers, distributors, retailers or printers that conform to the FSC standards. 

How Your Business Can Use It

If you use, make or manufacture lumber, look into the certification. If you’re purchasing lumber, add a supply chain policy to only use FSC-certified lumber and forest products. 

Fair Trade Certification

According to its website, Fair Trade is, “a global movement made up of a diverse network of producers, companies, shoppers, advocates, and organizations putting people and planet first.”

Similar to organic, a Fair Trade certification is a commitment to put the health and well being of people and the environment first. Their health and well-being is tied to the goods and products sold. 

How Your Business Can Use It

Fair Trade Certification is available to multiple industries and is a certification available to products like coffee, apparel or consumer packaged goods. A company can get certified as a producer, retailer or brand. 

Look for goods marked “Fair Trade Certified” in your supply chain, for office supplies or in daily life. 

LEED Certification 

LEED is a green building certification supplied by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). It is available to new build or existing structures and provides a series of guidelines to meet their certification standards. LEED is available at multiple levels, depending on the number of credentials met. 

How Your Business Can Use It

LEED is used by construction companies but can also be a verification system used by companies looking for office space. If you’re looking for new office space, see if a LEED building is available. 

Energy Star

Energy Star is a certification provided by the EPA for products and buildings to meet an energy efficiency standard. It provides details on the energy consumption of products and usually indicates a “best-in-class” energy usage rate. 

How Your Business Can Use It

Look for the rating in appliances like refrigerators and dishwashers. See if any large appliances hold the certification and be sure to choose those over competitors. 

You can see how these “seals,” would make a brand or business appealing to a discerning customer. What other sustainability seals have you seen around? Which one are you curious to learn more about? Tell us in the comments. 

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