Product Labels Explained: What They Actually Mean

This plain guide walks you through checking product labels, no marketing jargon included.

What these labels are, and why it matters

When you shop online or in person, you will see small symbols printed on product pages, tags and packaging. These are third party labels. Each one means an independent organisation checked that product against a written set of rules. This guide does not endorse any one label. Nobody paid for this explanation, there is no preferred list. This is just how these systems work, for any shop anywhere. Anyone can make their own little badge and put it on a product page. Only labels run by separate outside organisations have external checks. You do not need to memorise every label. You only need three simple checks you can do in 10 seconds on any product page, on any shop. That is all this guide will teach you.

How to check if a label is verified

First, click on the label symbol. On any good shop, this will link directly to the certification body's own website, not a page written by the shop. If clicking does nothing, or it only shows text written by the shop, that is not an independent label. Second, look up the name of the label once, outside the shop. You do not need to do this every time, just once when you first see a new one. See if they publish their full rules publicly, and say who runs the checks. Third, ignore any badges that just have words, no registered mark or number next to them. All proper independent labels have a registered logo, and most will show a unique certificate number for that individual product. This works for every product category, from Everyday Clothing to Kitchen & Dining to home decor.

Common labels you will see on textiles

You will see these most often on clothes, bedding and soft furnishings.

• GOTS: this label sets rules for fibre content, production steps and working conditions. When this label appears on a product, the full final product has been checked, not just one part.
• OEKO-TEX: this label checks for restricted substances in the finished fabric. It does not check how the fibre was grown, or working conditions.
• FSC: this label applies to wood, paper and items made from wood fibre. It sets rules for how trees are harvested.
• Fairtrade: this label sets rules for payment and working conditions for people producing raw materials.

Remember that none of these labels mean a product will last longer, fit better, or be right for you. They only mean the product met the specific written rules for that label. Always check the fabric description, size and return terms before you buy. You can use our Size calculator for clothing items.

Things that are not proper labels

There are many phrases you will see on product pages that look like claims, but are not verified third party labels. These phrases have no standard definition. Any shop can write them. They do not mean a product has been checked by anyone outside the shop. You will never see an independent certification body use these phrases alone, without the full official label logo. When you see these phrases, you can ask for proof of the claim. Most good shops will show you the actual label certificate if you ask. If they will not, there is no independent check. This applies equally to products in Beauty & Wellness and Home & Lifestyle.

What labels do not tell you

No label will tell you if you will actually use this item. No label will tell you if it fits you properly, if you like how it feels, or if it will last for years in your home. That part is still your choice. Labels only check the thing against a fixed list. They do not judge if this is a good purchase for you personally. Before you buy anything, first check if it works with what you already own. You can upload items you already have to the Virtual Closet and test combinations before you place an order. A good fit, something you actually like, and something you will use regularly will always matter more than any badge on the tag. That is the part that no label can check for you.

Simple routine you can use every time you shop

This is the full routine, it takes 15 seconds:

1. Look for an official label logo, not just words
2. Click it, confirm it links outside the shop
3. Check fit, care instructions, and return terms first
4. Check if you already own something that does the same job
5. Decide if this is something you will use at least 10 times

That is all. You do not need to do anything else. You do not need to memorise 50 different labels. You do not need to feel guilty if you choose something without a label. 5% of each sale goes to a cause you choose.

A note on labels: WowStore does not hold any of the certificates named in this guide today, and we do not use them to describe our products. We explain them so you can read a label with confidence wherever you shop.

How giving works when you shop with us

5% of each sale goes to a cause you choose. After your order you pick one of three causes: CARE International, Cool Earth or Project Zero. The donation is paid out through PayPal Giving Fund UK. Those three causes, together with how we run our own store (honest product data, fair prices), are matched to 11 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

That is the heart of the 1% Movement: small choices × millions of us = change. It is a giving promise we can show you, and it is the only promise we make on this page.