🔎 Three Clear Certification Categories

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As of March 25, 2025, Alko has launched a renewed sustainability labelling system under the name Certified Alternative. This concept replaces the previous Green & Ethical communication and Alko’s own in-house sustainability symbols.

The updated approach is designed to help customers make better-informed choices while aligning with modern standards for environmental claims and corporate responsibility.

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✔ Cultivation

✔ Production
✔ Working Conditions

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🌱 Cultivation -

Focuses on environmental responsibility in agriculture, including:

✅  Soil health and biodiversity

✅  Responsible use of pesticides and fertilizers

✅  Climate impact, water usage, and waste management

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🏭 Production - 

Evaluates environmental impact in manufacturing, such as:

✅  Energy and water consumption

✅  Emissions and waste

✅  Sustainable packaging

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👷 Working Conditions - 

Emphasizes ethical and social responsibility in labor practices:

✅  Fair wages and safe working environments

✅  Reasonable working hours and freedom of association

✅  Non-discrimination and the ban on child labor

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A product may carry certifications in one, two, or all three categories.

Some certifications apply to multiple areas simultaneously.

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🔍 Key Updates to Alko’s Sustainability Labelling System

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🌱 Organic Wines

• As of March 25, 2025, organic wines are no longer marked with the cultivation certification icon (brown circle) on price tags.

• Instead, they now carry only the organic label.

• ⛔ Due to a data transfer issue, some organic wines may temporarily lack the brown circle even if they meet cultivation standards.

• ✅ Correction expected by May 2025 – updated price tags will be reissued.

• Organic wines will now feature:

  • 🟢 An Organic shelf speaker

  • 🟤 A Certified Alternative shelf speaker (if applicable)

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📝 Label Adjustments & Discontinuations

• ❌ The Green & Ethical concept has been officially discontinued.

• 🛑 Alko has also phased out its own sustainability symbols.

• 🍇 Biodynamic wines are no longer considered certified alternatives.

  • They are now treated as informative labels, like "natural" or "vegan".

  • A valid organic certification is required to use the biodynamic label.

• ⛔ Certifications no longer recognized by Alko:

  • B Corporation

  • Haute Valeur Environnementale

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🌍 Certified Sustainability – Global Recognition

Alko accepts certified sustainability practices from numerous global regions.

Below is an overview of accepted schemes:

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🇪🇺 Europe

• VIVA (Italy)

• Terra Vitis (France)

• Sustainable Austria

• FairChoice (Germany)

• ...and others
   

🌎 Americas

• Certified Sustainable Wines of Chile

• California Sustainable Winegrowing (CCSW)

• Bodegas de Argentina

• ...and others
   

🌏 South Africa, Australia & New Zealand

• WIETA (South Africa)

• Sustainable Winegrowing Australia

• Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand

🌐 Global Certifications

• Equalitas

• Fair for Life

• Regenerative Organic Certified

• EU Organic

• ...and more

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🟩 Legend

• 🟩 Certified in the category

• ⬜ Not certified in the category

👉 Click here to view the full visual overview
📥 Download the full certification list (Excel)

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