For Vietnamese businesses targeting Singapore, ASEAN, and the wider Asian market, a credible, regionally recognised ecolabel is a real competitive edge. The SGLS (Singapore Green Labelling Scheme) is one of them. This guide explains what the SGLS is, how it works, and how to qualify.
What is the SGLS?
The SGLS (Singapore Green Labelling Scheme) is Singapore’s only Type 1 ISO 14024 ecolabel. It was launched by Singapore’s Ministry of the Environment in 1992 and has been administered by the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) since 1999.
It is a life-cycle-based ecolabel, independently verified against the international ISO 14024 standard for Type 1 ecolabels. A key mark of its credibility: the SGLS has been a member of the Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN) since 2003 — the network of trusted Type I ecolabels worldwide.
SGLS in numbers
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Certified products | 3,500+ |
| Countries with certified products | 30+ |
| Active licensees | 400+ |
| Product standards (criteria) | 50+ |
| Certifying since | 1992 |
These figures show the SGLS is a mature, regionally relevant label — not confined to Singapore.
Which product groups does it cover?
The SGLS certifies products across nine major categories (note: food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals are excluded):
- Building Materials & Interior Products
- Cleaning Products
- Electronics Products
- Household & Consumer Products
- Lighting
- Office Supplies & Equipment
- Personal Care Products
- Solar Equipment
- Sustainable & Specialised Products (including newly launched home/industrial compostable products)
Why the SGLS matters for businesses in Vietnam
- An edge in Singapore & ASEAN: the Singapore Green Label is trusted by regional consumers and procurement teams.
- Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs): the SEC signs MRAs with other ecolabels — for example, with Korea’s KEITI for multipurpose cleaners (May 2026) — extending the label’s value across markets.
- GEN & ISO 14024 credibility: independently verified, an effective shield against greenwashing.
- Procurement advantage: certification evidence can be downloaded from the SGLS Directory for tender submissions.
How to get certified (3 steps)
- Confirm eligibility — contact the Secretariat with your product details and sales information; receive the relevant criteria document.
- Submit application — complete the form and submit the required test reports, ISO certifications, and supporting documents.
- Receive certification — the Secretariat reviews your submission; approved products receive a Green Label licence and are listed in the SGLS Directory.
Our SGLS services in Vietnam
We are an independent consulting and training provider, helping businesses prepare for and achieve the SGLS (the label is awarded by the Singapore Environment Council):
- Consulting to review and optimise your product/process against the target category’s criteria.
- Training for R&D, QA, and marketing on criteria, life-cycle assessment, and labelling rules.
- Dossier preparation (test reports, ISO certifications) and connection to accredited laboratories.
- Support in working with the SGLS Secretariat and leveraging MRAs to extend your label’s value.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1. Can Vietnamese businesses obtain the SGLS? Yes. SGLS-certified products are present in 30+ countries; companies meeting the criteria can apply.
2. Does it apply to food? No. Food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals are excluded.
3. How is the SGLS different from a self-declared claim? It is a Type 1 label, independently verified to ISO 14024 and a GEN member — far more credible than self-declarations.
4. Is the SGLS recognised beyond Singapore? Yes. Its products reach 30+ countries, and the SEC holds MRAs with regional ecolabels (e.g. Korea’s KEITI).
Contact us for a business consultation
ISC Global Co., Ltd. Hotline: +84 933 096 426 – +84 868 591 260 Email: info@iscglobal.asia | van.pham@iscglobal.asia Website: iscglobal.asia | iscglobal.edu.vn
Representative partner in Vietnam – Duc Luong Services Hotline: +84 933 096 426 – +84 868 591 260 Email: ducluongservices@gmail.com Website: ducluongservices.com
STC VN Co., Ltd. (Staunchly Vietnam) Hotline: +84 933 096 426 – +84 868 591 260 Email: info@staunchlyservices.com.vn Website: staunchlyservices.com.vn
Beyond the Greenwashing: Why the Singapore Green Label is the New Gold Standard for ASEAN Business
In the current ESG-driven landscape, “green noise” has transitioned from a marketing nuisance to a significant commercial liability. For businesses across ASEAN, the challenge is no longer merely claiming sustainability, but surviving the intensifying scrutiny of greenwashing litigation and tightening supply chain transparency requirements. In this high-stakes environment, the Singapore Green Labelling Scheme (SGLS) has emerged as much more than a logo; it is a critical market-access tool and a rigorous framework for ESG compliance.
The Power of “Type 1” (It’s Not Just a Self-Declaration)
The SGLS holds a unique position as Singapore’s only ISO 14024 Type 1 ecolabel. To a strategist, this distinction is the ultimate “shield against greenwashing.” Unlike Type 2 labels, which are often internal “self-declarations” made by manufacturers, a Type 1 label requires independent, third-party verification across a product’s entire life cycle.
“The Singapore Green Labelling Scheme (SGLS) is Singapore’s only ISO 14024 Type 1 ecolabel… independently verified against the international standard for Type 1 ecolabels. A key mark of its credibility: the SGLS has been a member of the Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN) since 2003.”
Strategic Insight: Because Type 1 labels are multi-criteria and life-cycle based, they provide the verifiable data required during deep-dive due diligence audits. For a business, this isn’t just about branding—it’s about mitigating the regulatory risk of making unsubstantiated environmental claims.
The “Passport” Effect (MRA and Global Reach)
The SGLS is a powerhouse of regional reach, with over 3,500 certified products across 30+ countries and 400+ active licensees. Its true strategic value, however, lies in Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs). A definitive example is the May 2026 MRA between the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) and Korea’s KEITI for multipurpose cleaners.
Strategic Insight: For manufacturers—particularly those in Vietnam and the wider ASEAN region—the SGLS acts as a “green passport.” By securing this certification, a company can enter international markets like South Korea without the prohibitive costs and time delays of redundant testing. It is a bridgehead for regional manufacturers to access lucrative Singaporean and global procurement markets with a single, respected credential.
New Frontiers in Sustainability (Compostables & Heat Reflective Tech)
The SGLS continues to evolve to meet the specific challenges of the tropical built environment and the circular economy. January 2026 will see the launch of two critical new categories:
- Home Compostable & Industrial Compostable Products (Category 044A & 044B)
- Heat Reflective Paints & Surface Coatings (Category 32A)
Strategic Insight: The launch of Category 32A is a direct response to Singapore’s “Urban Heat Island” effect. By certifying heat-reflective technology, the SGLS is driving energy efficiency in the built environment, allowing developers to reduce HVAC cooling loads. This aligns product certification directly with national carbon-reduction targets.
The “Selective” Criteria (What’s Excluded and Why)
The SGLS maintains its industrial rigor by focusing on nine major categories where life-cycle assessment yields the most impact:
- Building Materials & Interior Products
- Cleaning Products
- Electronics Products
- Household & Consumer Products
- Lighting
- Office Supplies & Equipment
- Personal Care Products
- Solar Equipment
- Sustainable & Specialised Products
Notably, the scheme explicitly excludes food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals.
Strategic Insight: This exclusion is a mark of regulatory maturity. These categories fall under the specialized jurisdiction of bodies like the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) or the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). By maintaining a narrow, specialized focus on industrial and consumer goods, the SGLS remains the authoritative standard for corporate and government procurement teams.
The Procurement Edge (A Digital Advantage)
For businesses bidding on regional government contracts, the SGLS Directory provides a decisive “digital edge.” It is not just a list; it is a repository of verifiable evidence. Procurement teams can instantly verify a label’s validity and download certification evidence directly for tender submissions.
Strategic Insight: In a competitive bidding landscape where “green procurement” is often a mandatory gatekeeper, the ability to provide downloadable, third-party evidence of ISO-standard compliance is a massive advantage. It replaces vague environmental promises with hard, verifiable data that procurement officers can trust.
Conclusion: The Future of the Green Market
Since its inception by the Ministry of the Environment in 1992 and its subsequent administration by the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) since 1999, the SGLS has matured into the cornerstone of ASEAN’s sustainability infrastructure. It has moved the needle from “acting green” to “being verified.”
As regional markets integrate and environmental standards become legal mandates rather than optional “nice-to-haves,” the question for every business leader is clear: Would your current sustainability claims survive the rigors of an independent, ISO-standard life-cycle assessment? If the answer is uncertain, your market access is at risk.
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