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Demeter
Demeter is a
Have a better idea of the social and environmental conscience of the products you buy with Element's guide to common certification stamps. Photo / Getty Images
Demeter
Demeter is a
. The objects are to maintain the biodynamic approach to agriculture, horticulture, forestry and animal husbandry initiated by Rudolf Steiner in 1924.
BioGro
The BioGro stamp is the
mark of a New Zealand organic certification body
. BioGro-certified producers must undergo a rigorous certification process and their products contain no pesticides, herbicides or genetically modified organisms.
AsureQuality
AsureQuality is the
New Zealand government organic accreditation
. This includes supplying auditing, testing, inspection and certification services in the dairy, meat, seafood, horticulture, wine and arable sectors.
Fairtrade
Fairtrade is about
better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade
for farmers and workers in the developing world. By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices, Fairtrade enables growers to improve their position and have more control over their lives.
CarboNZero
CarboNZero certified organisations
have measured their organisations greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions so they understand what their impact is on the global climate. They then make a commitment to managing and reducing their GHG emissions by creating an emissions management and reduction plan. Remaining emissions that the organisation cannot avoid are then offset by purchasing verified carbon credits.
CEMARS
CEMARS is the first two steps of carboNZero certification.
CEMARS certified organisations
have measured their organisations greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in compliance with ISO 14064-1and made a commitment to managing and reducing their emissions by creating an emissions management and reduction plan.
SPCA Blue Tick
The Royal New Zealand SPCA Blue Tick accreditation
ensures that welfare standards for animals have been met
. Look out for it on animal products such as eggs and pork. All farms are audited by the SPCA before the tick is awarded.
Sustainable Winegrowing
Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand
is an industry initiative directed through New Zealand Winegrowers and was commercially introduced in 1997 and adopted by growers from all grape growing regions. Winery standards were introduced in 2002 to further substantiate the industry commitment to sustainable production.
Conscious Consumers
Conscious Consumers is an
. They have a free smartphone app that you can use to find these businesses, learn about their sustainable practices, get notified about specials and be rewarded for regularly purchasing from them. Over 400 businesses are now listed, and the programme is going global in 2015.
FSC
Forestry Stewardship Certified products is a
global, not-for-profit organisation
dedicated to the promotion of responsible forest management. FSC Certification ensures that wildlife habitats were protected, local communities & indigenous groups were consulted, & workers rights were respected, in the forests of New Zealand and around the world.
MSC
The MSC is the
world's leading certification and ecolabelling program
for sustainable seafood. Look for the blue MSC ecolabel when shopping or dining out.
Buy NZ Made
Established in 1998, Buy NZ made is a membership-based, non-governmental organisation. The iconic
kiwi logo ensures that that product is produced in this country
.
Lifemark
Lifemark accreditation represents home design features that make life easier. Only
and architects can offer plan designs that feature a minimum of 25 standards based on adaptability, accessibility, usability, safety and lifetime value.
NZGBC
The New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC) is a
not-for-profit, industry organisation
dedicated to accelerating the development and adoption of market-based green building practices.
Homestar
Homestar is a
home sustainability rating system
administered by the New Zealand Green Building Council. It awards homes a rating out of ten for energy efficiency and water efficiency, health and waste.
Environmental Choice
In New Zealand, Environmental Choice is the
. The programme operates independently from the government but is government owned and endorsed. More than listing environmentally friendly products for green homes or businesses, the ECNZ eco-label offers strong proof of environmental performance.
Future-Proof Building
Future-Proof Building is all about
educating homeowners to make the right choices for their home
, based on quality of product and performance over time. Information also includes how to make your home energy efficient.
Vegetarian Society
The New Zealand Vegetarian Society trademark
means that the product is free from animal products, genetically modified organisms, egg products produced under intensive farming conditions, not tested on animals and not cross contaminated with equipment used to process animals.
Coeliac NZ
The Crossed Grain logo is the symbol both nationally and internationally
recognised by those who need to follow a gluten free diet
. The logo gives consumers a quick reference point when shopping and faced with uncertainty on the genuine gluten free status of a product.
Read More from Element:
• The rise of the conscious consumer
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