Certifications


Certifications/Labels

Environmental or low-carbon certifications help assess, measure, and confirm companies' performance in terms of sustainability and carbon emission reduction. Each label and certification has its own criteria and requirements, making it important to inform oneself about the different options and choose those best suited to your profile. To obtain these environmental certifications, companies can seek help from specialised organisations offering support, auditing, evaluation, and verification service.


TopicLabelDescriptionOrganisation
Environmental management ISO 14000
  • This series of standards focuses on environmental management and is intended for any organisation that aims to implement a system to control its environmental impact.
  • ISO 14050: This standard addresses the structure of environmental management systems, including organisational structure, planning, responsibilities, practices, procedures, processes, and resources needed to develop, implement, achieve, review, and maintain an environmental policy.
  • ISO 14064: This standard provides guidelines for measuring, quantifying, and reporting GHG emissions to assess environmental impact and improve environmental performance. GHG inventory methodologies are based on this standard.
 		ISO
Energy management ISO 50001
  • ISO 50001: Developed through the collaboration of 61 countries, this standard aims to improve the energy performance of any organisation by providing guidelines for establishing an energy management system that prioritises energy performance.
  • Starting with an initial energy audit, the organisation sets its energy targets and establishes an energy metering plan to achieve short-term energy savings and cost reductions. The Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) tool is utilised for managing process quality.
  • According to the International Energy Agency, this standard could potentially impact 60% of the world's energy demand.  
 		ISO
Buildings LEED
  • LEED Certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a green building rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) aimed at promoting sustainable construction.
  • It evaluates buildings based on several criteria, including site sustainability, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation.
  • LEED certification has different levels: LEED Certified, LEED Silver, LEED Gold, and LEED Platinum.
  • The benefits of LEED certification include a commitment to sustainability, reduced operating costs, improved indoor environmental quality, and increased building value.
 		USGBC
Buildings BREEAM
  • BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is an environmental certification standard established in 1990 to assess the performance and sustainability of buildings.
  • The BREEAM method covers the entire building lifecycle, including design, construction, use, and renovation, to enhance environmental performance.
  • Millions of buildings worldwide are registered with BREEAM, demonstrating its reach and influence in the sustainable construction sector.
 		BRE Global
Buildings EDGE
  • EDGE Certification (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) is a green building certification system developed by the IFC, a member of the World Bank Group.
  • The free EDGE software helps identify the most cost-effective options for improving resource efficiency in new and existing buildings.
  • The EDGE certification aims to promote sustainable construction globally by making eco-friendly and economical solutions more accessible.
 		IFC by World Bank
Tourism Green Key
  • Green Key is an international environmental label for accommodation and catering establishments, such as hotels, hostels, and campsites.
  • The programme aims to promote sustainable and responsible practices in energy conservation, water management, waste management, and eco-friendly sourcing.
  • This label enables customers to choose eco-responsible establishments and raises awareness about the importance of sustainability in the tourism sector.
 		Foundation for Environmental Education
Tourism Green Globe
  • Green Globe is an international certification programme dedicated to sustainable development in the tourism and hospitality sectors.
  • The certification assesses the performance of establishments based on environmental, social, and economic criteria, covering resource management, procurement practices, and community engagement.
  • Green Globe aims to encourage tourism businesses to adopt sustainable and responsible practices to reduce their environmental impact and support local communities.
 		Green Globe Ltd.
Textile Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
  • Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): Sustainable fashion and ethical clothing aim to reduce the environmental and social impact of the fashion and textile industry.
  • GOTS is the leading international standard for the processing of organic fibers, incorporating both ecological and social criteria.
  • GOTS certification ensures a responsible and transparent textile supply chain.
  • GOTS-certified products include a wide range of items, such as fibers, yarns, fabrics, garments, home textiles, mattresses, personal care products, and textiles that come into contact with food.
 		Global standard
Textile OEKO-TEX
  • OEKO-Tex Made in Green: Allows supply chain traceability, ensuring that each step – from production to the final product - is built on rigorous testing standards.
  • OEKO-Tex Organic Cotton: Offers verification from farm to product. Products bearing this label have been manufactured without the use of GMO and tested for pesticides and other harmful substances.
  • OEKO-Tex STANDARD 100: Certified items including every thread, button and accessory are tested against a list of over 1,000 substances that are harmful to your health but also to the environment.
 		OEKO-TEX
Forestation Forest stewardship Council (FSC)
  • The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting responsible forest management on ecological, social, and economic levels.
  • The FSC develops and provides market-based tools to encourage sustainable forest management and ensure the traceability of forest products.
  • The FSC label is recognised as an eco-label and a socio-environmental label, certifying that the products (such as wood, paper, biomass) originate from forests that are managed in a sustainable and responsible manner.
 		FSC
Carbon credit certification Carbon Trust Standard
  • The Carbon Trust Standard is a certification framework for companies aiming to quantify, manage, and reduce their GHG emissions.
  • The standard relies on the GHG Protocol method to establish a company's GHG emissions inventory.
  • The Carbon Trust Standard certification helps companies demonstrate their commitment to reducing their carbon footprint and taking action against climate change.
 		Carbon Trust
Carbon credit certification Verified Carbon Standard
  • Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) is a high-quality standard dedicated to projects aimed at reducing GHG emissions.
  • The VCS verifies the emission reductions achieved and issues corresponding carbon credits.
  • VCS carbon credits can be used to offset GHG emissions, enabling companies to meet their carbon neutrality or emission reduction goals.
 		Verra
Carbon credit certification Certified Gold Standard
  • The Gold Standard (GS) is a voluntary emission reduction mechanism, recognised and valued internationally for its reliability and rigor.
  • It certifies GHG reduction projects, while supporting sustainable development and ensuring positive environmental and social impacts.
  • Gold Standard carbon credits are highly regarded in carbon markets, guaranteeing the quality and integrity of emission offset projects.
 		Gold Standard
Carbon credit certification The Climate Label
  • The Climate Label: Launched in 2019 as Climate Neutral Certified, this label will evolve into The Climate Label in 2025, setting a new standard for climate action beyond neutrality by requiring companies to actively fund carbon-reducing projects through an internalised carbon fee.
  • Financial Accountability and Carbon Pricing: The Climate Label mandates that companies establish a budget based on their total annual emissions and dedicate this budget to climate solutions. This approach ensures that companies are financially accountable for their climate pledges and contribute appropriately to the low carbon transition.
  • Comprehensive Climate Solutions and Transparency: Certification under The Climate Label involves year-on-year tracking and disclosure of emissions, mandatory target-setting, and action planning. This transparency helps build trust and demonstrates concrete progress in emissions reduction across the company’s value chain.
 		Change Climate Project
Net zero SBTi (Science Based Targets Initiative)
  • The Science-based Targets Initiative (SBTi) is an initiative aimed at helping companies reduce GHG emissions by setting targets based on scientific principles.
  • In November 2021, the SBTi launched a standard for achieving carbon neutrality (Net zero) for businesses, based on robust and credible emission reduction targets.
  • The partners of the SBTi include the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), which collects and communicates corporate emissions data, the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), which offers a framework for engagement around 10 fundamental principles of sustainable development, and the World Resources Institute (WRI), a research organisation specialising in economic and environmental issues related to businesses.
 		CDP, UNGC, WRI
Product certification Cradle to Cradle
  • Cradle to Cradle Certified®: This is a global scientific standard for creating healthy, fair, and sustainable products, providing guidance to designers, brands, and manufacturers.
  • For over a decade, this certification has supported the innovation and optimisation of materials and products across five categories: material health, material reutilisation, renewable energy, water stewardship, and social fairness.
  • Cradle to Cradle Certified promotes the creation of circular products, reducing waste and environmental impact to foster a sustainable economy.
 		Cradle to cradle institute
Environmental performance of supply chains ECOVADIS
  • EcoVadis provides a global platform for rating Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) performance for global supply chains, financial institutions, and public organisations.
  • EcoVadis ratings, validated by a global team of experts, are tailored to over 200 industry categories and cover 160 countries, including North Macedonia, and companies of all sizes.
  • EcoVadis scorecards offer insights, benchmarks, and a guided improvement journey for environmental, social, and ethical practices. Companies such as Amazon, Johnson & Johnson, L'Oréal, Unilever, LVMH, Salesforce, Bridgestone, BASF, and ING Group are among the 90,000
 		Ecovadis
Product certification Environmental product declaration (EDP)
  • The International EPD® System is a global programme for environmental declarations for products and services.
  • EPDs provide transparent, verified, and comparable information on the environmental impact of products throughout their entire life cycle.
  • EPDs enable businesses and consumers to make informed decisions about purchasing and using environmentally friendly products.
 		EDP International

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