Standards and Certifications

There is a myriad of standards and certifications when it comes to making businesses and business processes sustainable and green that range from offices and buildings to product packaging. Listed below are select standards and certification programs for businesses striving for sustainability as well as other sources for finding standards that fit your industry. There are some aggregators of standards that allow searching across many issuing organizations such as ASHRAE/TechStreet and IHS Global Standards. If you need assistance identifying the right standard Ask a Librarian in Technical Reports and Standards section at the Library of Congress.

The 33 Sustainability Certifications You Need to Know External
By Trish Kenlon, GreenBiz, May 18, 2021
A useful list of sustainability certifications. Does not include certifications for products or companies.
Certified B Corporation External
Certified B Corporations are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. B Corps are accelerating a global culture shift to redefine success in business and build a more inclusive and sustainable economy. B Corp Certification doesn’t just evaluate a product or service; it assesses the overall positive impact of the company that stands behind it.
The website incudes B Corp Directory as well as information on B Corp Certification.
Cradle to Cradle Certified External
The Cradle to Cradle Certified® Product Standard is the global standard for products that are safe, circular and responsibly made. Cradle to Cradle Certified assesses the safety, circularity and responsibility of materials and products across five categories of sustainability performance: material health, product circularity, clean air & climate protection, water & soil stewardship, and social Fairness.
Forest Stewardship Council External
FSC sets the following standards for businesses associated with productive forests and forest products: Chain of Custody certification, Forest Management Certification.
They help businesses with improved efficiency, market access, meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and offer tailored solutions for different sectors, from furniture to pulp and paper.
Global Reporting Initiative External
Offers a comprehensive set of standards on topics ranging from anti-corruption to water, biodiversity to occupational health and safety, tax to emissions. The GRI Standards represent global best practice for reporting publicly on a range of economic, environmental and social impacts. Sustainability reporting based on the Standards provides information about an organization’s positive or negative contributions to sustainable development.
Green Building Rating Tools (World Green Building Council) External
"Green building rating tools – also known as certification – are used to assess and recognize buildings which meet certain green requirements or standards. Rating tools, often voluntary, recognize and reward companies and organizations who build and operate greener buildings, thereby encouraging and incentivizing them to push the boundaries on sustainability."
This page lists ratings tools and certifications related to green buildings.
Green Building Standards (EPA)
Lists some of the major model codes or rating systems that communities can use to develop green building programs or revise building ordinances.
Green Business Benchmark External
Formerly known as Green Business Bureau, Green Business Benchmark° software and certification program helps you quickly tailor your sustainability program to your goals and achieve more sustainable practices for your workforce. GBB will assess and score your current sustainability, guide, identify and prioritize sustainability initiatives, track your progress, achieve certification, and promote your accomplishments for the market to recognize your commitment to sustainability practices.--Description provided by the company.
Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) External
GBCI was founded in 2008 to drive implementation of the LEED green building program. Although LEED is their widely used, leading program, GBCI now includes 10 certification programs and 15 professional credentials and certificates.
Green Guides (Federal Trade Commission) (PDF, 1.3MB)
The Federal Trade Commission’s Green Guides are designed to help marketers avoid making environmental claims that mislead consumers.
The Green Guides were first issued in 1992 and were revised in 1996, 1998, and this is the latest revision of 2012. The guidance they provide includes: 1) general principles that apply to all environmental marketing claims; 2) how consumers are likely to interpret particular claims and how marketers can substantiate these claims; and 3) how marketers can qualify their claims to avoid deceiving consumers. See the related press release from FTC.
Green Seal Certification External
Green Seal is a founding member of the Global Ecolabelling Network, the internationally recognized network of ecolabelling organizations. Its flagship program is the certification of products and services based on Green Seal standards, which contain performance, health, and sustainability criteria.
International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) External
The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) is an independent, private-sector body that develops and approves IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards (IFRS SDS). The ISSB was established in 2021 and operates under the oversight of the IFRS Foundation. Their focus is to introduce global enforceable baseline standards to eliminate greenwashing by corporations. IFRS Standards Navigator External allows search for standards; requires digital subscription for full access and basic registration for browsing.
ISO 14000 Environmental Management External
For companies and organizations of any type that require practical tools to manage their environmental responsibilities, there’s the ISO 14000 family.
Organic Certification (Rodale Institute) External
USDA sets the standards for organic certification, a process backed by the National Organic Standards Board. This page offers guidance for farmers and food processors to getting organic certification and resources for financial assistance and other available programs.
Standards Collection at the Library of Congress
The Library of Congress standards collection contains publications that have been deposited at the Library of Congress to meet copyright registration requirements. If you need assistance identifying or accessing standards please Ask a Librarian.
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) External
USGBC developed Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built, and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life.

Green Business: Sources of Information

Standards and Certifications