Smart Shopper's Non-Food Labels Guide

Are you devoted to shopping with your health and ethical values in mind, but bewildered by the seemingly vast array of labels out there, festooned like so many prayer flags? Not all labels are created equal or held up to the same rigorous standards, but wading through them isn't as hard as it might seem. Look first for "Reliable labels," below, then consider "Somewhat Reliable" labels, and don't put much faith in the "Least Reliable" labels (their meaning has not been established).

*V* = Verified by an Independent Third Party

RELIABLE LABELS

Caution, Warning, Danger and Poison: Contents are hazardous to human health.
Cleaning products, paints, solvents and chemicals used around the home, garden and workplace.

Co-op America Business Seal of Approval: Assesses businesses for their putting into action a commitment to social and environmental responsibility.
Baby products, building materials, clothing, paper, pet products, wood, toys, and many other goods and services.

Cradle to Cradle (C2C): Promotes production of goods using materials that can be recycled indefinitely; verifies use of environmentally safer materials, recyclability, renewable energy, efficient use of water and social responsibility. The C2C certification process requires that all "confidential" and "proprietary" ingredients be disclosed to the certifiers (www.mbdc.com).
Building products, office chairs, carpets, baby care and cleaning products

Fair Labor Association (FLA): Accredited companies sign onto the FLA's code of conduct, and company factories must provide reasonable work hours, the right to collective bargaining and bans on forced and child labor, among other standards. While the FLA does require factories to pay either the local minimum wage or the prevailing industry wage, they've been criticized by other advocacy groups for not requiring factories to pay at least a living wage. Company factories are monitored primarily by the companies themselves, but FLA accreditation allows the organization to spot-check factories at random and publish results of the spot check online. While FLA doesn't provide a certification, FLA-accredited companies/brands are listed on its web site (www.fairlabor.org).
Clothing and sports shoes

Fair Trade Federation (FTF): Companies commit to paying crafts producers at least the local minimum wage and protecting natural resources (www.fairtradefederation.org).
Clothing, jewelry and hand-crafted goods