"Free range" isn't the label used in the example you replied to, but "from caged hens". The problem isn't trying to define meaningful labels, but to record the

"Free range" isn't the label used in the example you replied to, but "from caged hens". The problem isn't trying to define meaningful labels, but to record the most salient facts. For starters: record and disseminate the human hours exerted and wage paid for each manufactured item. 2 Assemblers @ 1 hr/each @ $2/hr 1 Packager @ 1 minute @ $1/hr etc Consumers may then dynamically choose based on their current preferences. I don't think it's an ideal system, but it would be a significant improvement over the current situation.