It can be difficult to tell if a product is green just by looking at it. Fortunately, there are a number of labels you can look for on a product's packaging that indicate just how eco-friendly it is. Look for these green labels on the products you buy at the store to be sure you are getting the real green deal.

Cradle to Cradle. Cradle to Cradle certification analyzes the environmental impact of a product throughout its entire life cycle. Products that bear this label use environmentally safe materials, are designed for reuse, use energy- and water-efficient technology, and incorporate socially responsible strategies into their design. The certification is found on a wide range of products such as diapers (gDiapers), cleaning agents (Begley's Best) and surfboard wax (Wet Women Surf Wax). Check out the Cradle to Cradle website (www.c2ccertified.com), to learn more about the standards behind this label.

Dolphin Safe. Several decades ago, consumer watchdogs blew the whistle on the dangerous fishing practices of the tuna industry, an industry that was damaging the environment and decimating millions of dolphins in its by-catch. In 1990, the Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act was created to prohibit the use of fishing methods that are harmful to dolphins and other marine mammals.

In popular tuna fishing grounds, the dolphin-safe claim is verified by the National Marine Fisheries Service. However, tuna caught outside of these waters can be labeled dolphin-safe, even if it is not. The nonprofit group Earth Island Institute (www.earthisland.org) acts as an independent watchdog by sending its representatives on surprise field visits to canneries and docks in order to inspect the premises and report violations to the Feds. They also have onboard observers who are granted access to inspections at the discretion of the company.

Today, almost all tuna sold in the United States bears the dolphin-safe label. But it is still a good idea to check for it, especially if you are shopping in a new store or buying a brand you've never purchased before.

Energy Star. The EPA created the Energy Star label (www.energystar.gov) as a means of certifying products that use less energy and less water than comparable models. There are more than fifty different categories of products that are eligible for the Energy Star label, including battery chargers, dehumidifiers, ceiling fans, dishwashers, televisions, cordless phones, computers, printers, and even windows and doors. Look for the Star before making your next purchase.

Fair-Trade Certified. If you are concerned about the environmental and social implications of the products you purchase, then seek out the Fair-Trade label on foods such as coffee, tea, chocolate, rice, sugar, and bananas. The Fair-Trade Certification is an independently verified label that ensures that farmers in developing nations receive a fair price for their product.

The Fair-Trade program also prohibits forced child labor, supports sustainable agriculture, limits the use of harmful pesticides, and supports community-building programs such as health care, credit plans, and training workshops. Check out Transfair USA (www.transfairusa.org), to learn more about the fair trade certified label.

FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certified. The Forest Stewardship Council (www.fsc.org) is an international accrediting organization that has developed standards for certifying wood and wood products produced from sustainable forests. Wood certified under FSC standards is rated according to ten principles that take into account the environmental, social, and economic impacts of the timber industry. Look for the FSC label on wood, paper, and wood products such as furniture, cabinets, and windows.

Greenguard. The Greenguard Environmental Institute (www.greenguard.org), is an industry-independent, nonprofit organization that oversees certification of low-emitting products for the indoor environment. A product that carries the Greenguard seal will off-gas the minimum amount of VOCs and other harmful toxins. Look for the Greenguard seal on building materials, furniture, household cleaning products, electronic equipment, and personal care products.

Green Seal. Green Seal (www.greenseal.org), is an independent organization that sets standards for certifying environmentally sound products. Green Seal standards take into account the environmental impacts of a product from manufacturing to use to disposal. Look for this label on paper, wood products, household cleaners, and personal care products.

Leaping Bunny. The Leaping Bunny logo (www.leapingbunny.com) can be found on products that adhere to cruelty-free standards developed by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics, a coalition of animal protection groups. Companies that use this logo on their products sign a pledge not to conduct or commission animal testing of their products or product ingredients. Look for the Leaping Bunny on cosmetics, personal care products, and other household products.

Organic. In 2002, the USDA's National Organic Program (www.ams.usda.gov/nop/indexNet.htm) established the organic certification label to indicate that a product has been produced in an eco-friendly manner. In order for food items such as fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, and dairy products to bear the organic seal, they must be produced without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, antibiotics, genetic engineering, irradiation, and sewage sludge. Animals raised for organic meats must have access to the outdoors and must be fed 100 percent organic feed that does not contain animal byproducts or growth hormones. However, the USDA draws a distinction between chickens and other animals. So cows that are raised to produce organic beef or milk must have continuous access to the outdoors without confinement, whereas chickens are not guaranteed access and can be confined.

There are three different organic labels you may see on the shelves:

100% Organic: Products bearing this label can only contain organically produced ingredients.

Organic: Products can use the Organic label if 95 percent of their ingredients are organically produced and the remaining 5 percent are nonorganic ingredients that have been approved by the National Organic Program.

Made with Organic Ingredients: This label indicates that at least 70 percent of a product's ingredients are organic, with at least three listed on the back of the package. The remaining 30 percent of ingredients must be approved by the National Organic Program.

Look for the organic label of vegetables, meats, dairy products, and processed foods. But don't be fooled if you see the term organic used on seafood as this industry is not yet regulated by organic standards.

Processed Chlorine-Free. Products that claim to be “processed chlorine-free” must be processed without the use of environmentally damaging chlorine, which produces dioxin as a by-product. Look for the PCF label on all paper products. Check out the Chlorine Free Products Association (www.chlorinefreeproducts.org) to learn more about this label.

Rainforest Alliance Certified. The Rainforest Alliance (www.rainforest-alliance.org) is a nonprofit agency dedicated to preserving rainforests, and the people and wildlife that depend on them, throughout the world. Under their SmartWood program, the Rainforest Alliance grants FSC certification to forest products that are verified as originating from responsibly managed forest in accordance with FSC principles and criteria.