70
Status The increasing importance of social issues could be observed by the increasing
number of labels dealing with this topic. The webpages of the Sustainability
Compass ( http://www.sustainability-compass.com/ ) or of the Standards Map ( http://
www.standardsmap.org/ ) offer a broad overview on social (and sustainability)
labels.
Examples “Rugmark” label, “Fairtrade” label.
3.1.3 Certifi cates of Conformity
Addressed Issues The issues addressed are diverse and refer to specifi c needs.
They might document for example sustainable forestry, fi shery, and agriculture. The
certifi cates document fulfi lment of specifi c environmental requirements, which are
often based on upstream challenges during resource extraction. The right to use a
certifi cate allows their holders to distinguish their certifi ed products from those of
competitors and might offer market opportunities by positive discrimination.
Institutional Issues The institutional characteristics depend from the requirements
label scheme, in general reliable labels are independent from business and request
an independent certifi cation of the fulfi lment of their requirements.
Target Groups Private consumers, but also business and public purchasers.
Status A lot of different certifi cates of conformity have been developed, an
overview is hard to get, but there are several webpages providing some overviews,
e.g. the already mentioned ones of the Sustainability Compass, of the Standards
Map or of the Ecolabelindex . The Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) provides
certifi cates for companies which fulfi l a number of forestry requirements; the
requirements have been elaborated by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) which
is an international organization with business, NGOs, trade unions and representatives of indigenous people. Applying companies need an independent verifi cation of
a certifi er accredited at FSC.
Examples “FSC” (Forrest Stewardship Council) label, “MSC” (Marine
Stewardship Council) label, “Rainforest Alliance” label.
3.2 Self-Declared Environmental Claims
Addressed Issues Self-declared environmental claims according to ISO 14021
depend from the interests of the business/industrial associations in charge of label.
Beside environmental issues, also social issues might be highlighted.
Institutional Issues There are not specifi c institutional prescriptions; however the
relevant national/international legislation (e.g. competition laws) has to be respected.
Target Groups Mainly private consumers.
F. Rubik
Status The increasing importance of social issues could be observed by the increasing
number of labels dealing with this topic. The webpages of the Sustainability
Compass ( http://www.sustainability-compass.com/ ) or of the Standards Map ( http://
www.standardsmap.org/ ) offer a broad overview on social (and sustainability)
labels.
Examples “Rugmark” label, “Fairtrade” label.
3.1.3 Certifi cates of Conformity
Addressed Issues The issues addressed are diverse and refer to specifi c needs.
They might document for example sustainable forestry, fi shery, and agriculture. The
certifi cates document fulfi lment of specifi c environmental requirements, which are
often based on upstream challenges during resource extraction. The right to use a
certifi cate allows their holders to distinguish their certifi ed products from those of
competitors and might offer market opportunities by positive discrimination.
Institutional Issues The institutional characteristics depend from the requirements
label scheme, in general reliable labels are independent from business and request
an independent certifi cation of the fulfi lment of their requirements.
Target Groups Private consumers, but also business and public purchasers.
Status A lot of different certifi cates of conformity have been developed, an
overview is hard to get, but there are several webpages providing some overviews,
e.g. the already mentioned ones of the Sustainability Compass, of the Standards
Map or of the Ecolabelindex . The Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) provides
certifi cates for companies which fulfi l a number of forestry requirements; the
requirements have been elaborated by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) which
is an international organization with business, NGOs, trade unions and representatives of indigenous people. Applying companies need an independent verifi cation of
a certifi er accredited at FSC.
Examples “FSC” (Forrest Stewardship Council) label, “MSC” (Marine
Stewardship Council) label, “Rainforest Alliance” label.
3.2 Self-Declared Environmental Claims
Addressed Issues Self-declared environmental claims according to ISO 14021
depend from the interests of the business/industrial associations in charge of label.
Beside environmental issues, also social issues might be highlighted.
Institutional Issues There are not specifi c institutional prescriptions; however the
relevant national/international legislation (e.g. competition laws) has to be respected.
Target Groups Mainly private consumers.
F. Rubik