Here you will find information and links about different terms and certifications used in the sustainability world.
Many of the products on our site and in our retail space have logos on them. Most recognized logos require the company to apply for the rights to display after going through a certification process. This right often comes at a hefty cost as the process can be time-consuming, complicated and often very pricey. These certifications are certainly great to have but a product or a company that does not have a logo to display might still be up to, or even beyond the standards required. Small entrepreneurs like The Green Collective's members, are often a one-person show and the multifaceted commitment to obtain a logo is just not a priority. So while the product you like may not have a specific logo, it is as deserving as the one with one. We did the homework for you, every product sold by our members has a valuable impact. It may just not be officially recognized by a logo.
GOTS: 
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) was developed by leading standard setters to define world-wide recognised requirements for organic textiles. From the harvesting of the raw materials, environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing to labelling, textiles certified to GOTS provide a credible assurance to the consumer.
FSC: 
The Forest Stewardship Council is in international non-profit, multistakeholder organization established in 1993 that promotes responsible management of the world's forest vis timber certification.
Oeco-tex:
Oeko-Tex labels and certificates confirm the human-ecological safety of textile products and leather articles from all stages of production (raw materials and fibres, yarns and fabrics ready-to-use end products) along the textile value-chain. Some also attest to socially and environmentally sound conditions in production facilities.
Fair-Trade:
The Fairtrade International certification system covers a wide range of products, including banana, coffee, cocoa, cotton, cane sugar, flowers and plants, honey, dried fruit, fruit juices, herbs, spices, tea, nuts and vegetables.
Organic: 
Organic certification is a certification process for producers of organic food and other organic agricultural products, more commonly known as ecological or biological products. In general, any business directly involved in food production can be certified. Requirements vary from country to country and generally involve a set of production standards for growing, storage, processing, packaging and shipping. Logos may vary by countries.
Green Label Singapore
Administered by the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) since 1999, the Singapore Green Labelling Scheme (SGLS) is Singapore’s leading environmental standard and certification mark with over 3800 unique products certified across 43 countries. The scheme aims to help the public identify environmentally preferred products that meet certain eco-standards.
B Corp:
B Corp Certification is a designation that a business is meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials.
Open ESG:
Sustainability ID for brand, suppliers and products. A revolutionary new scoring system that transform the way Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) scores are determined. OpenESG is the first open, democratic, and credibly neutral ESG Scoring System that aims to restore trust in the ESG movement. See The Green Collective's page here.
Sustainable sourcing
Sustainable sourcing can be defined as obtaining the materials, products, and services an organization needs from its suppliers in a manner that is socially and environmentally responsible, while still being economically sound. Refers to the inclusion of social, environmental, and economic criteria in the sourcing process. There are no internationally recognized logos.
Sustainable products:
Sustainable products are those products that provide environmental, social and economic benefits while protecting public health and environment over their whole life cycle, from the extraction of raw material until the final disposal.
UNSDG:
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The Sustainable Development Goals are a collection of seventeen interlinked objectives designed to serve as a "shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.
Eco-friendly
Also environmentally-friendly, earth-friendly, ecological, sustainable, green etc.
Designed to have little or no damaging effect on the environment.
These ambiguous terms are often used to promote goods and services, sometimes with additional, more specific certifications.
The use of these words on our site means a lower footprint, a bigger impact, a better choice.
Their overuse can be referred to as greenwashing.
Greenwashing
Greenwashing is a form of advertising in which marketing is deceptively used to persuade the public that an organization's products, aims, and policies are environmentally friendly. This word gives us chills down the spine! Our strict curation process ensures that claims made by all entrepreneurs within The Green Collective are based on facts.