Ethibel

The Ethibel certification program, managed by Forum ETHIBEL asbl, is a labeling system designed to identify and recognize investment funds that meet rigorous standards for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The program operates in Europe and is aimed at asset managers, investment fund providers, and financial institutions seeking to demonstrate that their products align with sustainable and ethical investing principles.

Forum ETHIBEL maintains two distinct quality labels: the ETHIBEL PIONEER label and the ETHIBEL EXCELLENCE label. These labels are awarded to investment funds whose holdings are drawn exclusively from the ETHIBEL investment register — a curated list of companies that Forum ETHIBEL has evaluated as performing a leading or pioneering role within their sector across all CSR dimensions, including environmental protection, social justice, and sound governance. Both labels are officially registered trademarks protected in the Benelux, the European Union, and internationally.

The certification is relevant for fund managers who want a credible, third-party-verified signal of their fund's sustainability credentials. By earning an Ethibel label, a fund can communicate to investors — particularly those focused on Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) — that its underlying holdings have been independently screened against established CSR criteria. Forum ETHIBEL also plays a broader role in fostering dialogue between companies, governments, trade unions, NGOs, and the investment community to advance sustainable finance in Europe.