How to Verify
1. Find the Certification ID
Look for the Friend of the Sea or Friend of the Earth logo and the Certificate ID shown beside or beneath it on the product.
2. Enter the ID
Enter the Friend of the Sea or Friend of the Earth ID exactly as shown in the verification field above.
3. Check the certified scope
Understanding Your Search Result
What the Certification Confirms
The product or species shown in the record is covered by a certification issued following an independent audit against the applicable Friend of the Sea or Friend of the Earth standards.
Check the Exact Certification Scope
Your search result will show:
- Certification ID
- Certified product or species
- Certification standard
- Certificate holder
- Certificate status
- Issue and expiry dates
Certificate Status Guide
Active
Certification is currently valid.
Expired
The certification period has ended.
Recertification in Progress
A renewal assessment is underway.
Suspended
Certification is temporarily inactive.
Withdrawn
Certification has been formally withdrawn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about verifying Friend of the Sea or Friend of the Earth certified products and species.
Where can I find the FOS or FOE ID?
Look beside or beneath the Friend of the Sea or Friend of the Earth logo on the product, packaging, label or garment hangtag. Enter the ID exactly as printed, including any leading zeros
Where can I learn about the certification requirements?
Visit the Friend of the Sea or Friend of the Earth standards pages, where you can select the standard you want to review and access its available requirements and information.
What should I do if I cannot find a result?
Check that you have entered the ID correctly. You can also try searching by product or certificate-holder name.
If you still cannot find a matching record, contact us with the ID and a clear photograph of the product and label. A missing result alone does not confirm whether a product is certified.
Does certification cover every product sold by the certificate holder?
No. Certification applies only to the products, species or activities explicitly included in the certification scope. Other products sold by the same company or brand are not automatically covered.
What does “Active” mean?
An active record indicates that the certification is currently valid for the scope shown. Check that the product you are verifying matches the record, and review the standard and validity dates.
What does “Expired” mean?
The certification’s stated validity period has ended. An expired record does not confirm current certification. Contact us if you need clarification about a particular product or a possible renewal.
View More Questions
A product’s brand name may differ from the legal name of its manufacturer, processor or certificate holder. Check that the specific product is included in the record. A certified supplier does not automatically make every product sold by its customers certified.
A renewal assessment is underway. This status alone does not confirm that certification remains valid. Check the validity dates and contact us if you need confirmation of the current status.
“Suspended” means certification has been temporarily placed on hold. “Withdrawn” means certification has been formally withdrawn. Neither status confirms active certification.
Yes. Use the product or certificate-holder name and the available filters to narrow your search. Check the matching record carefully to confirm the certification scheme, scope, status and validity dates.
Contact us with clear photographs of the product, packaging and logo, along with the brand name and where you found it. We can help check the relevant certification record.
No. The certification ID is separate from the product’s barcode, batch number or stock reference. Use the number specifically identified as “FOS ID” or “FOE ID.”
Yes. The WSO directory brings together Friend of the Sea and Friend of the Earth certification records. Check which scheme and standard appear in the result. Certification under one scheme does not automatically establish certification under the other.
Click HERE and provide as much of the following information as possible:
- Product or brand name
- Certificate-holder or company name, if available
- Where the product or logo was found
- Photographs of the product, packaging and logo
- FOE ID, if displayed
- Website link if the logo was found online
Information submitted through the report will be treated confidentially.
Need Help Verifying a Product?
Contact Friend of the Earth if you cannot find a certification record or need assistance.
World Sustainability Organization · Verification directory