What does it mean that a product is certified? Check out the web sites below to learn about product certification. The more you know, the more you can make informed choices about the products that you buy.

IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER:

Coffee and Fair Trade

• FAIRTRADE LABELLING ORGANIZATIONS INTERNATIONAL
  Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO) is the worldwide Fair Trade Standard setting and Certification organization. FLO guarantees that products sold with a Fair Trade label conforms to Fair Trade Standards and contributes to the development of disadvantaged producers and workers. Learn about Fair Trade standards, Fair Trade certification, Fair Trade products, national initiatives, and the producers who have benefited from fair trade.
  http://www.fairtrade.net/
• NETWORK OF EUROPEAN WORLDSHOPS
  Established in 1994, Network of European Worldshops (NEWS) is a network of 15 national associations overseeing 2,500 Worldshops in 13 countries all over Central and Western Europe. NEWS cooperates with other Fair Trade networks, IFAT, EFTA and FLO, to define common policies as well as to achieve common strategies for criteria, monitoring, and education. This section of NEWS's web site provides information about the role of and relationship between producers, importers, labeling organizations and retailers, the economic, ecological and social impact of Fair Trade, as well as data about Fair Trade's market share, trends, bestsellers, and consumer support.
  Network of European Worldshops > Fair Trade Advocacy
  http://www.worldshops.org/FairTradeAdvocacy.html
• OXFAM AMERICA
  Oxfam America is an international development and relief agency and an affiliate of Oxfam International. Working with local partners, Oxfam delivers development programs and emergency relief services, and campaigns for change in global practices and policies that keep people in poverty. The Fair Trade Coffee: The Time Is Now resource provides facts and figures about the Fair Trade movement and offers comparisons between conventional coffee and Fair Trade coffee.
  Oxfam America > News and Publications > Publications > Campaign Materials > Fair Trade Coffee Resource and Action Guide
  http://www.oxfamamerica.org/pdfs/coffeeresourceguide.pdf
• TRANSFAIR USA
  TransFair USA, a nonprofit organization, is one of nineteen members of Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO), and the only third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the United States. Learn about the criteria for the Fair Trade Certified label, the history of Fair Trade, and the environmental and social benefits.
  Fair Trade > About TransFair USA > Press
  http://www.transfairusa.org/content/about/index.php

Wood and Certification:

• CENTER FOR A NEW AMERICAN DREAM
  The Center for A New American Dream (CNAD) advocates responsible consumption to protect the environment, enhance quality of life, and promote social justice. Check out CNAD's Conscious Consumer page to learn how you can buy environmentally and socially responsible products.
  Center for a New American Dream > Buy Wisely > Conscious Consumer > Logging
  http://www.newdream.org/consumer/logging.php
• FOREST CERTIFICATION RESOURCE CENTER
  The Forest Certification Resource Center (FCRC) provides comprehensive, objective information about forest management, forest certification and responsible wood and paper purchasing. Be sure to check out the Forest Certification Comparison Matrix!
  http://www.metafore.org/?s=147
• FORESTS MONITOR
  Forests Monitor is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization, established in 1993 to contribute to the debate about sustainable forest management by collecting and disseminating information about companies operating in the forestry sector around the world. For publications, maps, and information about specific companies in the forest sector visit this site.
  http://www.forestsmonitor.org/index.htm
• FORESTS.ORG Forest.org is an Internet search engine and portal, dedicated to the protection of the world's remaining tropical rainforests and the rights of their inhabitants. This portal provides links to most forest related issues, including forest biodiversity, forest destruction, protection, and many more.
  http://www.forests.org/
• FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL
  Founded in 1993, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a global, non-profit organization that promotes environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world's forests through the process of forest certification. FSC standards represent the world's strongest system for guiding forest management toward sustainable outcomes.
  http://www.fsc.org/en/
• GREENPEACE
  Founded in 1971, Greenpeace employs peaceful direct action and media campaigns to address global environmental problems. Learn about deforestation and Greenpeace's work to protect ancient forests.
  Green Peace > Issues > Forest
  http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/campaigns/forests
• NATIONAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL
  National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) uses law, science and the support of its members to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things. This web site provides in-depth reports, how-to-guides, photo essays, facts and figures, links, news and issue highlights on topics such as forests, parks & wildlands, green living, wildlife and fish, and more.
  http://www.nrdc.org/land/Forests/default.asp
• RAINFOREST ALLIANCE
  Rainforest Alliance's mission is to protect ecosystems and the people and wildlife that depend on them by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior. Rainforest Alliance sets standards for sustainability for farms and forestry enterprises and tourism. The Rainforest Alliance, an international non-profit organization, is the world's leading FSC Forest Management certifier. This site provides information about sustainable forestry and agriculture and Rainforest Alliance's sustainable forestry certification program, SmartWood.
  Rainforest Alliance > What We Do > Forestry
  http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/programs/forestry/index.html
• RAINFOREST FOUNDATION
  The Rainforest Foundation seeks to support indigenous people and traditional populations of the world's rainforests in their efforts to protect their environment and fulfill their rights to secure and control the natural resources necessary for their long term well being. This Kids Corner page of the Rainforest Foundation web site provides games, activity sheets, photos and teacher resources to help kids to learn about the rainforest-its people, plants and animals.
  The Rainforest Foundation > Kids Corner
  http://www.rainforestfoundationuk.org/s-Kids%20Corner
• RAINFORESTWEB.ORG
  Created by Rainforest Action Network, Rainforestweb.org provides a consolidated web forum on rainforests, the threats to their survival and the myriad strategies underway to save them. This site offers a wealth of information on the world's rainforests: why they are important, what is happening in the rainforests, why they are being destroyed, how they can be protected, and how you can help.
  http://www.rainforestweb.org/
• SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY INITIATIVE
  Established in 1994, the timber industry-based Sustainable Forestry Initiative is the certification program of the American Forest and Paper Association (AFPA), and is preferred by many large North American timber companies. Partially in response to FSC, SFI has been strengthening its standards and seeking independent third-party verification for its certification of forests. AFPA members are required to win SFI certification to stay in the organization. SFI has an environmental focus and does not deal with such FSC issues as rights of indigenous people to use forests. SFI certifies 150 million acres of US forest lands. Several state forests have been seeking dual certification from both FSC and SFI.
  http://www.aboutsfi.org/core.asp
• UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM - World Conservation Monitoring
  The United Nations Environment Program World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) provides objective, scientifically rigorous products and services to help decision makers recognize the value of biodiversity and apply this knowledge to all that they do. Visit this site to find data sets and maps, status indicators and trends, regional information, and other resources related to forests, species, protected areas, and the relationship between trade and the environment.
  http://www.unep-wcmc.org/
• WORLD RESOURCES INSTITUTE
  World Resources Institute (WRI) is an environmental think tank that provides objective information and practical proposals for policy and institutional change that will foster environmentally sound, socially equitable development. This site offers country profiles, maps, data tables, features and other resources on issues such as forests, agriculture and food, people and ecosystems.
  http://www.wri.org/
• WORLD WILDLIFE FUND
  World Wildlife Fund (WWF) leads international efforts to protect endangered species and their habitats by promoting sustainable approaches to the use of renewable natural resources and pollution reduction. Explore the wealth of information WWF offers on issues such as deforestation, forest conservation, endangered species, wildlife trade, deteriorating ocean health, and much more.
  http://www.worldwildlife.org/index.cfm

Renewable Energy

• GREEN-E
  Did you know that you can switch from your regular electricity provider to green electricity certified provider? The Green-e Renewable Electricity Certification Program is administered by the non-profit Center for Resource Solutions. Find out about switching to green electricity today!
  Green-e >Your Electric Choices
  http://www.green-e.org/your_e_choices/e_choices_index.html
• GREEN-E - PRODUCT LABELING INITIATIVE
  Businesses across the nation are purchasing Green-e certified energy and feature the Green-e logo (meaning "Made with Certified Renewable Energy") on their products , in their offices, and on their websites. Similar to other on-package certification symbols indicating that the product meets stringent guidelines for content, the Green-e logo informs consumers that the product was made using a certified renewable, environmentally friendly, source of energy. Consumers across the United States can now choose from over 175 certified products committed to renewable energy, cleaner air and combating climate change.
  Green-E > "Made with Certified Renewable Energy"
  http://www.green-e.org/PLI/
• THE GREEN POWER NETWORK
  The U.S. Department of Energy's Green Power Network (GPN) provides news and information about green power providers, product offerings, consumer protection issues, and policies affecting green power markets. Check out this excellent resource about green energy.
  http://www.eere.energy.gov/greenpower/

Marine Stewardship

• MARINE STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL
  The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is an independent, global, non-profit organization whose role is to recognize, via a certification program, well-managed fisheries and to harness consumer preference for seafood products bearing the MSC label of approval. Find out which fisheries are MSC certified.
  Marine Stewardship Council >
  http://www.msc.org/

Organic

• USDA NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM
  The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the governmental certifying body for organic food in the U.S.. To learn about organic certification and the label to look for, check out the consumer information page.
  USDA > Agencies & Offices > Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) >National Organic Program >
  http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/

Sustainable Tourism

• RAINFOREST ALLIANCE
  Rainforest Alliance's mission is to protect ecosystems and the people and wildlife that depend on them by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior. Rainforest Alliance sets standards for sustainability for farms and forestry enterprises and tourism. Learn what sustainable tourism means and check out their recommendations for how to be a Savvy Traveler!
  Rainforest Alliance > What We Do > Tourism
  http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/programs/tourism/