How Well Do Eco-Labels Really Work for Green Products?

People are buying more eco-friendly products. To show they are green, these items often have special labels or certificates. But do these labels really mean the products are sustainable? That's a big question. Right now, there are many different labels. Some are strict, others not so much. This makes it hard to know which ones truly care about the environment and people. A new study tried to fix this problem. They looked at lots of research and talked to experts. They found that many labels are not clear or consistent. They don't always protect the environment or workers well. The study created a new way to check these labels. This new tool looks at three big things: 1. How much can we trust the label? 2. Does it protect the environment and workers? 3. Does it keep getting better over time? They tested this tool on a well-known label called GOTS. It did well in some areas but not others. For example, it didn't do great at checking if products are made in a way that doesn't waste resources. The tool is flexible. It can be used by governments, companies, and even shoppers. The goal is to make labels more trustworthy and clear. But will this work? It's a step in the right direction. However, making all labels follow the same rules is a big challenge. People need to keep asking questions and pushing for better standards.