Certification marks symbols
14 certification marks symbols, each with what it looks like and what it actually requires.
| Symbol | Looks like | Means |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Star | A five-pointed star sitting inside a rounded blue rectangle, with the words ENERGY STAR beside it. | The product meets US Environmental Protection Agency efficiency criteria for its category. |
| Fairtrade Mark | A blue and green circle enclosing a black figure with an arm raised, resembling a person against a horizon. | The certified ingredients were bought on Fairtrade terms, including a minimum price and a premium paid to the producer organisation. |
| OEKO-TEX Standard 100 | A rectangular label with the words OEKO-TEX and STANDARD 100, a test number and the issuing institute. | Every component of the textile was tested for harmful substances and passed. |
| Woolmark | A ball of yarn drawn as several interlocking curved black strands. | The product is made from pure new wool and meets the Woolmark performance specifications. |
| NSF certification | The letters NSF inside a blue circle or oval. | Tested and certified by NSF against a public health or food equipment standard. |
| BSI Kitemark | A heart-shaped outline formed from a single looping line, resembling a kite, with BSI beneath. | BSI has tested the product and audits the factory that makes it. |
| GS mark (Geprüfte Sicherheit) | The letters GS in a rounded square, with the name of the testing body beneath. | Tested safety — a German voluntary mark requiring independent testing and factory surveillance. |
| Kosher certification (OU and others) | A letter U inside a circle for the Orthodox Union, a K inside a star, a K inside a circle, or one of dozens of other agency marks. | A certifying agency attests that the product is kosher, often with a letter alongside for the category. |
| Halal certification | Usually the Arabic word حلال or the word HALAL in a circle or crest, with the certifying body named. | A certifying body attests that the product complies with Islamic dietary rules. |
| USDA Organic seal | A circle divided with USDA across the top and the word organic below, in green and white or black and white. | At least 95% of the ingredients are certified organic under the US National Organic Program. |
| EU organic leaf | A leaf outlined by twelve white stars on a green background. | At least 95% of the agricultural ingredients are organic under EU rules. |
| Crossed grain (certified gluten free) | An ear of wheat inside a circle with a vertical bar or cross through it, usually with a registration number beneath. | Independently certified to contain no more than 20 parts per million of gluten. |
| Vegan Society sunflower | A stylised sunflower with the word Vegan beside or beneath it. | Registered with the Vegan Society: no animal ingredients and no animal testing at any stage. |
| Leaping Bunny | A rabbit in outline mid-leap, sometimes inside a circle of stars. | Certified cruelty free: no animal testing by the company, its suppliers or third parties after a fixed cut-off date. |
- Energy Star The product meets US Environmental Protection Agency efficiency criteria for its category.
- Fairtrade Mark The certified ingredients were bought on Fairtrade terms, including a minimum price and a premium paid to the producer organisation.
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Every component of the textile was tested for harmful substances and passed.
- Woolmark The product is made from pure new wool and meets the Woolmark performance specifications.
- NSF certification Tested and certified by NSF against a public health or food equipment standard.
- BSI Kitemark BSI has tested the product and audits the factory that makes it.
- GS mark (Geprüfte Sicherheit) Tested safety — a German voluntary mark requiring independent testing and factory surveillance.
- Kosher certification (OU and others) A certifying agency attests that the product is kosher, often with a letter alongside for the category.
- Halal certification A certifying body attests that the product complies with Islamic dietary rules.
- USDA Organic seal At least 95% of the ingredients are certified organic under the US National Organic Program.
- EU organic leaf At least 95% of the agricultural ingredients are organic under EU rules.
- Crossed grain (certified gluten free) Independently certified to contain no more than 20 parts per million of gluten.
- Vegan Society sunflower Registered with the Vegan Society: no animal ingredients and no animal testing at any stage.
- Leaping Bunny Certified cruelty free: no animal testing by the company, its suppliers or third parties after a fixed cut-off date.