FEATURED: SEAL CLARITY FOR CONSUMERS

1. I like to pay attention to seals. But do they really contribute to fighting hunger in the world?

Consumers can signal for more sustainability through their purchasing behavior. With their decision to purchase a product from environmentally friendly or fair production, they show: It matters to me how the product I’m buying was manufactured. The people who have worked on it should be able to live from their work and feed their families. The environment is to be spared, because I want the livelihoods of our generation and of future generations to be preserved. Therefore, with our purchasing decision, we all hold an important key in our hands for a world without hunger.

2.There are so many seals. Who can tell me what that is - without me having to search long?

The Consumer Information Portal of the Federal Government „Siegelklarheit.de“ provides guidance. Here you can search for seals or find out which seals are available in certain product groups, such as textiles, laptops or paper. On the website, you will find the seals which are common in Germany and see immediately who is behind the seal, how demanding and credible it is and what it means: Is it a purely environmental seal, for example, or is the focus on socially responsible production? The app "Siegelklarheit" also provides this information directly while shopping. Simply scan the seal and learn more.

3. How do I know if a seal is credible?

Siegelklarheit.de examines and evaluates the seals with regard to their credibility and content. A comprehensive evaluation grid was developed in collaboration with national and international experts. It checks whether the seal covers the key sustainability issues in a product group. In the textile sector, for example, working conditions in production and the avoidance of hazardous chemicals are particularly important. The expert group also examines how strict compliance with requirements is controlled and how the standard organization works. Are the decision-making processes transparent? Does the seal keep what it promises? To offer consumers a quick orientation, there are color-coded evaluations at Siegelklarheit.de. When the minimum requirements of the Federal Government are met, the seals appear in a green category. More detailed information can be accessed in a second step.

4. Can I compare the seal at Siegelklarheit.de?

Within a product group the evaluation results can be compared. The results are presented clearly, so that you can quickly find out which seal covers the topics that are particularly important to you.

5. And who is behind Siegelklarheit.de?

Siegelklarheit.de is an important initiative by the Federal Government to promote sustainable purchasing behavior. The portal was developed by the German Association for International Cooperation (GIZ) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). It was designated as a flagship project in 2015 within the framework of the sustainability strategy for Germany.