If you’ve ever tried to shop sustainably, you’ve probably come across a broad range of labels like Fairtrade, B Corp, GOTS, or Rainforest Alliance. These little symbols can be incredibly helpful, but only if you understand what they actually mean. With so many eco and sustainability certifications appearing on packaging, websites, and clothing tags, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

We have pulled this guide together to break down the most common certifications you will come across in your shopping journey that are also featured on The Jungle Dog’s Certification Hub. Overall, we want to help you make confident, planet-friendly choices without the confusion.

4 Reasons Why Sustainability Certifications Matter

They help consumers quickly identify products and brands that meet specific environmental or ethical standards.
They act as independent validators, meaning a company must meet strict criteria to earn them.
Certifications cut through greenwashing and signal that a brand is taking real steps toward positive impact.
These labels can guide you toward more responsible purchases—whether you’re buying groceries, clothing, beauty products, or home goods.

Keeping Certifications Top of Mind When Shopping

Look for labels that match your values. Whether you care most about worker rights, climate impact, animal welfare, or chemical safety, different certifications signal different priorities.

Be a bit more discerning and check for third-party verification. Independent oversight (like B Corp or Fairtrade) is far more reliable than vague “eco-friendly” claims.

Use directories to explore brands. Bookmark your go-to directories, like The Jungle Dog, to make it easier to find companies grouped by certifications, sustainability actions, and values.

Key Eco & Sustainability Certifications to Know

Below are some of the most widely recognized certifications listed in The Jungle Dog’s directory, along with plain-language explanations grouped by category of what each one actually represents.

Global Benchmarks for Sustainable and Fair Business Operations Recognized standards for ethical, transparent, and sustainable business operations.

B Corp Certification) Focus: Overall social and environmental performance B Corps are companies that meet high standards for sustainability, ethics, transparency, and community impact. Unlike single-issue labels, B Corp measures the entire business—from worker well-being to carbon emissions.

EU Ecolabel Focus: Environmental impact across a product’s life cycle This European certification identifies goods and services that meet high ecological standards from production to disposal.

Butterfly Mark Certification Focus: Holistic sustainability and verified ESG performance The Butterfly Mark certification, awarded by Positive Luxury, identifies brands that meet rigorous standards across environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. It is trusted for its deep assessment of a company’s long-term sustainability strategy.

Fairtrade Focus: Ethical trade and better working conditions Fairtrade certification ensures that farmers and workers are paid fairly, work in safe conditions, and follow environmental practices that protect people and the planet.

Land-Use and Biodiversity Protection

These focus primarily on protecting ecosystems, natural resources, and species.

Rainforest Alliance Focus: Sustainable agriculture and biodiversity The green frog seal supports farming practices that protect forests, wildlife, and farmer livelihoods.

FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Focus: Responsible forestry FSC-certified wood and paper products come from forests that are responsibly managed to protect biodiversity and local communities.

Textile & Material Safety Certifications

Trusted labels ensuring textiles are safe for people and better for the planet.

GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) Focus: Organic textiles GOTS guarantees that textile products are made with at least 70–95% organic fibers, processed responsibly, and free from the most harmful chemicals.

OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 Focus: Chemical safety in textiles This certification ensures that every component of a textile product from threads, buttons, dyes to ensure all is tested for harmful substances.

Eco Passport by OEKO-TEX® Focus: Chemical safety for dyes, inks, and textile treatments Eco Passport verifies that the chemicals used to manufacture textiles meet strict safety standards. It’s especially important in industries where dyes, pigments, and coatings can contain harmful substances.

Masters of Linen Certification Focus: Fully European linen supply chains Masters of Linen certification guarantees that linen is grown, spun, and woven entirely in Europe under high sustainability, quality, and traceability standards. It’s a strong indicator of low-impact textile production.

Proof a Product Is Kind to Animals

Vegan Label Focus: Animal-free products and ingredients A Vegan Label helps consumers quickly identify products that contain no animal-derived ingredients and are made without animal testing. While cruelty-free labels focus on testing practices, a vegan label goes a step further by ensuring the product formula itself does not include substances like beeswax, lanolin, honey, silk, or animal-based dyes. You’ll commonly see vegan labels on cosmetics, personal care products, fashion, and even home cleaning items. It’s important to note that “vegan” doesn’t automatically mean “natural” or “sustainable,” but it does indicate a product free from animal exploitation. For shoppers prioritizing animal welfare, plant-based materials, or low-impact alternatives, a certified vegan label is a clear and trusted guide.

Leaping Bunny Focus: Cruelty-free cosmetics and personal care Leaping Bunny ensures that no animal testing occurred at any point during product development. It’s often paired with a vegan label for shoppers seeking animal-free and cruelty-free products.

The Bottom Line

Eco and sustainability certifications are powerful tools for making informed decisions. They help you choose products that are better for the planet, better for workers, and safer for you. If you want to explore even more certifications, definitions, and brand examples, check out The Jungle Dog’s Certification Hub. It’s one of the most accessible places to learn about sustainability labels while discovering brands that truly walk the talk.