The question assumes everyone does the same thing. They do not, so the more useful question is: which claim needs to be substantiated? Along that line the market sorts into three levels.
- Testing and certification houses such as TÜV SÜD, TÜV Rheinland, SGS, Intertek, Bureau Veritas, DEKRA, Eurofins or Control Union measure, audit and certify across a wide range, from transport testing to compostability.
- Scheme owners such as RecyClass, EuCertPlast, ISCC PLUS or the Global Recycled Standard write a programme that others assess against. They address processes and supply chains, not the single product on the shelf.
- Consumer trustmarks such as flustix evidence one single measurable product property and make it visible on the product, with a publicly searchable licence number.
What is actually interchangeable
Much within a level, nothing across levels. A test report on plastic content does not replace a mark on the packaging, and a mark does not replace laboratory analysis. flustix is therefore not an alternative to the laboratory, it uses one: measurement takes place in laboratories accredited to ISO/IEC 17025, conformity is assessed by a body to ISO/IEC 17065.
What the choice turns on
- If the claim is to appear towards consumers, it needs a certification scheme with independent monitoring, since 27 September 2026 also as a matter of law.
- If it is about one property such as recycled content, recyclability, plastic content, microplastics or PFAS, what counts is the scope of the programme, not the name of the house.
- If recognition in a regulated market matters, for taxes or bonuses, what counts is the accreditation of the assessing body and the underlying standard.
