Overview of green credentials & standards
Green credentials help you prove and improve
Green credentials, such as sustainability standards, certifications and eco-labels, are increasingly used by businesses to build a sustainability profile and publicly demonstrate their capability.
Sustainability standards and certifications don’t just help you prove your green credentials – they help you improve them too. Through the process of applying for credentials, you will usually be able to spot issues or inefficiencies, and explore opportunities to improve aspects of your business and its supply chain.
Sustainability standards and credentials…
Can apply to products, systems or services
May be mandatory (required by regulation) or voluntary
Give consumers an assurance of sustainability through use of certificates, icons or specific text descriptors
Require companies to demonstrate compliance (subject to audit/renewal)
Are often country-specific, but many are globally recognised
Can involve mutual certification where related schemes overlap
Certification types
There are numerous certification schemes, standards and eco-labels. Because of this, it’s advisable to check the credibility of certifications in your local and/or global marketplace, and focus on certifications relevant to your business and customers.
Here are a few types…
Eco-labeling schemes for products/services
Product certifications for recycled content and/or sustainable and ethical sources
Energy efficiency and carbon footprint labels
Hazardous substance-free statements/labels
Modern slavery statements (see Australian Government info)
Other green product certifications
Certification of measuring, reporting and governance systems
Certification standards in Australia and around the globe
Which standards you need to know about in the countries will depend on where you operate and which countries or regions you trade with. Read about…
Global standards
Certification standards in Australia
Certification standards in other countries
Certification standards in Europe
Green credentials & standards
