Mapping the Eco-Labeling Landscape: A Systematic Review for Coherent Governance and Future Research

Eco-labeling has become an important tool for stimulating sustainable production and consumption, but the rapid increase in schemes can lead to a fragmented and sometimes confusing landscape. The purpose of this study is to map the eco-labeling landscape with a systematic review, trace the design and governance patterns, and identify gaps that prevent coherence. A systematic literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed journals and conference articles. The process followed predefined selection criteria, with consistent coding and synthesis used to categorize eco-labels by sector, region, governance type, and methodological features. The review shows a varied but fragmented eco-labeling landscape, with considerable overlap and inconsistency across sectors and regions. Governance approaches differ significantly: some schemes use third-party verification, while others depend on voluntary or industry-led systems. Major gaps include a lack of harmonization, poor integration of social factors, and little clear evidence that these labels change consumer behavior or drive meaningful sustainability results. Future research should focus on developing harmonized frameworks, strengthening meta-governance, and integrating social alongside environmental criteria. Policy efforts should aim to improve comparability and credibility, while balancing diversity and innovation. Advancing systematic evaluation of eco-label performance will be essential for informing coherent governance and guiding the future of sustainable consumption and production.