Kompass Nachhaltigkeit

Öffentliche Beschaffung

Sustainability Labels

Gütezeichen als Wegweiser für nachhaltige Vergaben

Gütezeichen sind ein wichtiges Instrument, um weltweit sozialverantwortliche und ökologische Produktionsbedingungen zu fördern und zu zertifizieren. Durch die steigende Anzahl an Siegeln, Zertifikaten und Standards wird es immer schwerer, den Überblick zu behalten und ihre Verlässlichkeit einzuschätzen. Hier schafft der Kompass Nachhaltigkeit Transparenz und dient Ihnen als kompetente Navigations- und Interpretationshilfe, damit Sie auf fundierter Basis sozial und ökologisch nachhaltige Entscheidungen in Ihrem Vergabeprozess treffen können.

Orientierung behalten im Siegel-Dschungel

Sie möchten Gütezeichen nach konkreten sozialen und ökologischen Kriterien suchen oder Unterschiede zwischen Standards herausfinden? Dann nutzen Sie einfach unseren Gütezeichenfinder, um verfügbare Siegel zu filtern und zu vergleichen. Darüber hinaus finden Sie zu den Gütezeichen Listen von Unternehmen mit zertifizierten Produkten.

Zum Gütezeichenfinder

Was sind Nachweise für Nachhaltigkeitskriterien und wie können sie rechtssicher angewandt werden?

Was ist ein Gütezeichen und wie kann es im Beschaffungsprozess genutzt werden?

Gütezeichen sind das zentrale, vergaberechtlich ausdrücklich geregelte Mittel für den Nachweis bestimmter Produktmerkmale in der öffentlichen Beschaffung von Waren und Dienstleistungen. Um ein Gütezeichen als Nachweis fordern zu können, muss es vergaberechtlich definierte Bedingungen erfüllen. Hier erläutern wir den Rechtsrahmen und zeigen, welche alternativen Nachweisformen es außerdem gibt:

  • Wie kann die Einhaltung von sozialen und ökologischen Aspekten möglichst glaubwürdig gefordert werden?
  • Welche Vor- und Nachteile haben alternative Nachweise?
  • An welchen Stellen im Vergabeprozess können sie implementiert werden?
  • Wie kann man alternative Nachweisformen sinnvoll mit Gütezeichen kombinieren?

Die folgenden Seiteninhalte beruhen auf einem vergaberechtlichen Gutachten.

Rechtliche Rahmenbedingungen zur Nutzung von Gütezeichen in Vergabeverfahren

Anwendung von alternativen Nachweisen

Was sind alternative Nachweise und wie können sie in Vergabeverfahren genutzt werden?

Da Gütezeichen im Sinne des § 34 VgV und § 24 UVgO in der praktischen Anwendung einigen Restriktionen unterliegen (siehe oben), besteht ein Bedarf an alternativen Nachweisformen für Nachhaltigkeitsmerkmale in der öffentlichen Beschaffung.

Die folgenden Bereiche stellen einige alternative Nachweisformen mit Vor- und Nachteilen vor und zeigen auf, an welcher Stelle des Vergabeprozesses sie eingesetzt und so sinnvoll mit Gütezeichen kombiniert werden können.

So können alternative Nachweise einerseits genutzt werden, um Unternehmen die Möglichkeit zu geben, zu belegen, dass diese die Anforderungen des Leistungsverzeichnisses erfüllen, wenn es dem Unternehmen nicht möglich ist, ein Gütezeichen zu erlangen. So bleibt auch bei ambitionierten Anforderungen an die Nachhaltigkeit der Wettbewerb gewahrt. Andererseits können Gütezeichen auch als Standard genutzt werden, um die inhaltlichen Anforderungen an alternative Nachweise zu konkretisieren. Es ist außerdem möglich, für über vorhandene Gütezeichen hinausgehende Kriterien, die aktuell noch nicht oder nur teilweise über Gütezeichen nachgewiesen werden können, alternative Nachweise zu nutzen. Beispielsweise könnte für die Einhaltung grundlegender Kriterien wie die ILO-Kernarbeitsnormen ein Gütezeichen gefordert (und eingereicht) werden. Für deutlich darüber hinaus gehende Kriterien könnte die Vergabestelle dann alternative Nachweismöglichkeiten benenne, bzw. könnten Bietende diese einreichen und somit für ein Vergabeverfahren Gütezeichen nach § 34 VgV und Alterativen kombinieren. Wichtig ist, dass in diesem Fall die über das Gütezeichen hinausgehenden Anforderungen ausdrücklich in den Vergabeunterlagen benannt werden. Ein Verweis auf die Inhalte des alternativen Nachweises wäre nicht ausreichend.

Eigenerklärungen und Nachhaltigkeitsberichte

Management-Systeme, insbes. nachhaltigkeitsbezogene Präqualifizierungssysteme

Projektbezogener Nachhaltigkeitsplan

Metasiegel

Multi-Stakeholder-Initiativen (MSI)

Transparenz durch Offenlegung von Verträgen und Lieferkette

Auftragserfüllungsklauseln

Vertragliche Kontrollmöglichkeiten – Beauftragung einer Monitoring-Organisation

Benchmarks und Peer-Assessments

Blockchain-basierte Nachweise

Oft gestellte Fragen

What is a sustainability standard?

The term ‘Sustainability standard’ represents social and environmental requirements that aim at reducing negative impacts of global economic activity on society and the environment. The requirements can refer to the manufacturing process (e.g. prohibition of child labour) as well as to physical properties of the final product (e.g. energy consumption of electronic devices). Other standards look at corporate management procedures (e.g. corporate environmental management). Not all standards are visible for end consumers. Some are used only for business between companies (business to business, B2B).

Besides the term sustainability standard, the terms label, ecolabel or certification are also widely used. Moreover, experts distinguish between ‘standards’ and ‘schemes’. While the term ‘standard’ refers to the document in which the requirements are specified, a scheme additionally comprises the underlying assurance system.

Who defines the standard and who awards the label?

A scheme can be launched by governments, NGOs, industry or a single company. There are also initiatives formed by multiple stakeholders.

Ideally, labels and certificates are awarded by a conformity assessment body (CAB). CABs need to be independent from both the scheme holder and the certified organisation. Some standards only require monitoring through the scheme holders themselves, and sometimes there is no monitoring at all. The latter case is a good indication that a label is primarily used for marketing purposes. This is what is generally referred to as greenwashing. In other words, bringing about change is not a primary objective.

What are common environmental, social and economic aspects covered by sustainability standards?

The aim of a credible sustainability standard should be to find solutions for the biggest social and environmental challenges in a sector (hot spots). However, the focus and aspirational level of standards can vary greatly. Here you can find a description of the most severe social and environmental challenges in the different phases of the supply chain for several product groups. You can find also out whether a label covers these topics by using the <link file:98 download>Sustainability Standards Comparison Tool.

Most standards don’t cover all three sustainability dimensions (environmental, social and economic), but instead focus on one of the aforementioned. This is partly due to the fact that methods of assurance and monitoring differ depending on social and environmental requirements.

How is compliance with the requirements of sustainability standards assured? How credible are sustainability standards?

Different assurance methods are available depending on the scheme’s focus. If a criterion refers to a certain product property, e.g. chemical residues on the product, compliance can be tested in a lab using random samples. Other criteria, like health and safety requirements, can only be monitored through on-site audits (learn more).These too, however, only offer a snapshot and do not guarantee continuous verification. To effectively implement social standards, workers need to be trained to know their rights and how to claim them.

In order to maintain the credibility of a sustainability standard, basic rules have to be adhered to. This includes that criteria are clearly formulated and verifiable, and can be monitored by a third party. Transparency creates trust, therefore all relevant documents, including the standard itself, need to be accessible to the public. Implementation and monitoring systems that are well aligned with effective implementation of sustainability objectives form a credible standard.

What differences are there between sustainability standards?

Sustainability standards can differ greatly regarding their requirements as well as their credibility. Some standards cover specific problems of a certain sector and define strict, specific requirements. Others define less severe requirements, thereby allowing for a bigger group of producers to comply with the standard.  Less strict standards also contribute to more sustainability. Particularly demanding standards cover most of a product’s life cycle and deal with most of the relevant social and environmental challenges. A standard should always provide a distinct added value regarding sustainability compared with non-certified products.

While content-related differences in standards can be quickly identified, the implementation system that stands behind the standard is even more important. Social and environmental criteria are only effective if the corresponding implementation and monitoring system checks their suitability and compliance. Therefore, the implementation and monitoring system must fulfil several minimum requirements. The <link file:98 download>Sustainability Standards Comparison Tool helps you find labels that meet these requirements. 

Which products are covered by sustainability standards?

There are sustainability standards for many products, including agricultural products, wood and paper products, textiles, electronic devices, cosmetics and detergents. Since many standards only refer to the production of agro-commodities, it is possible that products are certified by a label even though only elements of the production process or a few ingredients are actually certified. Credible standards draw attention to this by using an informative label (learn more).  

Are there sustainability standards for the building and service industries?

Sustainability standards also cover services such as power supply (green electricity) and tourism. There is also a standard for the planning and building of low-energy housing. Certified materials (paint, building material like boarding, etc.) are also available. In Germany, the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen e.V.) can label sustainable housing.

Membership in initiatives like the United Nation’s Global Compact demonstrate a service provider’s interest in sustainability. There are also labels and standards for family- or employee-friendly companies. Please keep in mind that the use of these labels in the tendering procedure is restricted due to the lack of a link to the subject-matter (learn more).

There are many sustainability standards. How can I separate the wheat from the chaff and find out which labels are trustworthy and cover relevant requirements?

The Sustainability Compass includes a Sustainability Standards Comparison Tool that allows you to analyse and compare labels and find out which ones are credible and cover the requirements you want to be considered.

What is a sustainability standard?

The term ‘Sustainability standard’ represents social and environmental requirements that aim at reducing negative impacts of global economic activity on society and the environment. The requirements can refer to the manufacturing process (e.g. prohibition of child labour) as well as to physical properties of the final product (e.g. energy consumption of electronic devices). Other standards look at corporate management procedures (e.g. corporate environmental management). Not all standards are visible for end consumers. Some are used only for business between companies (business to business, B2B).

Besides the term sustainability standard, the terms label, ecolabel or certification are also widely used. Moreover, experts distinguish between ‘standards’ and ‘schemes’. While the term ‘standard’ refers to the document in which the requirements are specified, a scheme additionally comprises the underlying assurance system.

Who defines the standard and who awards the label?

A scheme can be launched by governments, NGOs, industry or a single company. There are also initiatives formed by multiple stakeholders.

Ideally, labels and certificates are awarded by a conformity assessment body (CAB). CABs need to be independent from both the scheme holder and the certified organisation. Some standards only require monitoring through the scheme holders themselves, and sometimes there is no monitoring at all. The latter case is a good indication that a label is primarily used for marketing purposes. This is what is generally referred to as greenwashing. In other words, bringing about change is not a primary objective.

What are common environmental, social and economic aspects covered by sustainability standards?

The aim of a credible sustainability standard should be to find solutions for the biggest social and environmental challenges in a sector (hot spots). However, the focus and aspirational level of standards can vary greatly. Here you can find a description of the most severe social and environmental challenges in the different phases of the supply chain for several product groups. You can find also out whether a label covers these topics by using the <link file:98 download>Sustainability Standards Comparison Tool.

Most standards don’t cover all three sustainability dimensions (environmental, social and economic), but instead focus on one of the aforementioned. This is partly due to the fact that methods of assurance and monitoring differ depending on social and environmental requirements.

How is compliance with the requirements of sustainability standards assured? How credible are sustainability standards?

Different assurance methods are available depending on the scheme’s focus. If a criterion refers to a certain product property, e.g. chemical residues on the product, compliance can be tested in a lab using random samples. Other criteria, like health and safety requirements, can only be monitored through on-site audits (learn more).These too, however, only offer a snapshot and do not guarantee continuous verification. To effectively implement social standards, workers need to be trained to know their rights and how to claim them.

In order to maintain the credibility of a sustainability standard, basic rules have to be adhered to. This includes that criteria are clearly formulated and verifiable, and can be monitored by a third party. Transparency creates trust, therefore all relevant documents, including the standard itself, need to be accessible to the public. Implementation and monitoring systems that are well aligned with effective implementation of sustainability objectives form a credible standard.

What differences are there between sustainability standards?

Sustainability standards can differ greatly regarding their requirements as well as their credibility. Some standards cover specific problems of a certain sector and define strict, specific requirements. Others define less severe requirements, thereby allowing for a bigger group of producers to comply with the standard.  Less strict standards also contribute to more sustainability. Particularly demanding standards cover most of a product’s life cycle and deal with most of the relevant social and environmental challenges. A standard should always provide a distinct added value regarding sustainability compared with non-certified products.

While content-related differences in standards can be quickly identified, the implementation system that stands behind the standard is even more important. Social and environmental criteria are only effective if the corresponding implementation and monitoring system checks their suitability and compliance. Therefore, the implementation and monitoring system must fulfil several minimum requirements. The <link file:98 download>Sustainability Standards Comparison Tool helps you find labels that meet these requirements. 

Which products are covered by sustainability standards?

There are sustainability standards for many products, including agricultural products, wood and paper products, textiles, electronic devices, cosmetics and detergents. Since many standards only refer to the production of agro-commodities, it is possible that products are certified by a label even though only elements of the production process or a few ingredients are actually certified. Credible standards draw attention to this by using an informative label (learn more).  

Are there sustainability standards for the building and service industries?

Sustainability standards also cover services such as power supply (green electricity) and tourism. There is also a standard for the planning and building of low-energy housing. Certified materials (paint, building material like boarding, etc.) are also available. In Germany, the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen e.V.) can label sustainable housing.

Membership in initiatives like the United Nation’s Global Compact demonstrate a service provider’s interest in sustainability. There are also labels and standards for family- or employee-friendly companies. Please keep in mind that the use of these labels in the tendering procedure is restricted due to the lack of a link to the subject-matter (learn more).

There are many sustainability standards. How can I separate the wheat from the chaff and find out which labels are trustworthy and cover relevant requirements?

The Sustainability Compass includes a Sustainability Standards Comparison Tool that allows you to analyse and compare labels and find out which ones are credible and cover the requirements you want to be considered.