SMEs should carefully consider the use of certain labels and certifications. These labels can be
prohibitively costly for SMEs and may not even generate the desired financial return, given consumers’
widespread mistrust of some of them.
SMEs that pursue this strategy should ensure their target clientele truly values the selected labels. In
certain cases, the benefits of products can be communicated much more effectively (and affordably)
by simply giving examples of the results of the company’s CSR actions. This transparent, fact-driven
approach can create a similar or higher level of trust among consumers than traditional labels.