Decoding Green Labels: A Practical Guide to Sustainable Credentials

Read our compact run down of sustainable credentials and what they mean.

If you’ve been exploring eco-friendly stationery and office essentials, you’ve likely noticed a growing number of sustainability credentials popping up on product labels. While these badges and certifications are intended to guide greener choices, they can sometimes be a bit confusing.

That’s why we’re here to simplify things. In this guide, we’ll unpack the most common sustainable credentials, what they stand for, how they’re earned, and what they really mean — so you can shop with confidence and clarity.

BlueAngel

The Blue Angel Certification came from Germany and is awarded to products that are particularly environmentally friendly. It’s a Type 1 Environmental Label, meaning the entire life cycle of a product is taken into account, along with any environmental impact.

This criterion is then used by an independent body to label products that fulfil this accreditation. To gain this certification, products are analysed for: resource conserving production, sustainable production of raw materials, avoidance of pollutants, reduced emissions of harmful substances, durability and recyclability, to name a few.

Blue Angel is used in the UK because it’s a trusted and well recognised eco-label that helps people identify environmentally friendly products with ease. You may find this label on products from Durable, Guildhall, Exacompta and more.

EcoVadis

EcoVadis is a global certification used to recognise a company’s environmental, social and ethical performance. It creates a comprehensive score based on a company's policies, actions and results and pays close attention to four key themes: environment, labour and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement.

They have a distinct rating system, which is as follows:

• Platinum - Top 1%
• Gold - Top 5%
• Silver - Top 15%
• Bronze - Top 35%

FSC

Forest Stewardship Council - this promotes environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world’s forests. Products that get this label are assessed through their production process - from the forest to consumer, including all stages of processing, transformation, manufacturing and distribution.

You will often find this label on Paper Products and increasingly even on sustainable personal care products that are a greener alternative.

GREENGUARD

GREENGUARD aims to reduce chemical exposure and improve indoor air quality by certifying products with low chemical emissions. They focus on identifying low emission products that help contribute to healthier indoor environments. Products have to go through a rigorous testing process in specialised chambers to have their emissions assessed. 

You may find GREENGUARD certifications on furniture, cleaning products and even electronic equipment.

ISO 14001

The International Standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS) provides a framework for achieving a commitment to minimising environmental impact, complying with regulations and improving practices. Its method of assessment includes looking at waste management, resource use and pollution prevention.

ISO 14001 is used as an international standard to signal a commitment to the environment and ongoing practices.

B Corp 

A new type of corporation that meets a set of comprehensive and transparent social and environmental practices. Companies are assessed through social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. B Corps aim to create positive social and environmental impact alongside financial success. In practice, this can look like paying a living wage, sustainable sourcing and supporting local communities.

Examples of B Corps include TrueStart Coffee, Ecover and The Cheeky Panda.

EU Ecolabel

This is a voluntary scheme designed to encourage businesses to market products and services which are kinder to the environment.

To gain this criterion, products must meet high environmental standards throughout their life cycle from extraction to disposal. Popular items with this label include cleaning solutions. Recognised throughout Europe, it’s considered a label of environmental excellence which is used widely in the UK to help customers make more informed choices.

Leaping Bunny

Products that have this certification have eliminated animal testing from all stages of product development. This means the product is 100% free from new animal testing. Any company or product with this certification has to recommit to re-testing annually to comply with evolving regulations.

Often you will find this label on personal care items, toiletries and cleaning products, helping you choose cruelty free products not tested on animals.

Rainforest Alliance Certified

Any products with this certification commit to meeting high standards that protect the farming environment and the well being of workers, their families and communities. This helps farmers produce better crops, adapt to climate change, increase their productivity and reduce costs.

This certification is most widely seen on products such as coffee, tea, chocolate, fruit and tissue products.

TerraCycle

This is a national waste collection program used in 10 countries where non recyclable post consumer waste (such as toothbrushes, pens, and sweet wrappers) is collected and made into new products and materials.

This certification is used to inform consumers that the product or package is no longer waste and can be collected and sent to TerraCycle. When a logo is present on a product TerraCycle has made, it means it has been made from waste that would have otherwise gone to landfill.

Eco Friendly Products from Office Stationery

The above list is by no means exhaustive, as the number of eco credentials is constantly expanding; however, these are some of the most common you will come across when browsing our website.

Products that meet one of these certifications or more will be labelled as Eco Friendly on product pages, and you can always find out more about what material each product is made from by reading the description.

Feel free to browse our Eco Friendly Office Supplies, or if you have any questions, please get in touch with us via phone or email, and we’ll be more than happy to assist you in your search.