Ecolabel

Definition "Ecolabelling" is a voluntary method of

environmental performance certification and labelling that is practised around the world. An "ecolabel" is a label which identifies overall, proven environmental preference of a product or service within a specific product/service category. There are different classifications of label.

 

What is Ecolabelling?

In contrast to "green" symbols, or claim statements developed by manufacturers and service providers, the most credible labels are based on life cycle considerations; they are awarded by an impartial third-party in relation to certain products or services that are independently determined to meet transparent environmental leadership criteria.

the International Organization for Standardisation (ISO) has identified three broad types of voluntary labels, with ecolabelling fitting under the Type I designation.

Voluntary Environmental Performance Labelling -- ISO Definitions 

   

Types

  TYPE I    a voluntary, multiple-criteria based, third party program that awards a license that authorises the use of environmental labels on products indicating overall environmental preferability of a product within a particular product category based on life cycle considerations          TYPE II

  informative environmental self-declaration claims          TYPE III   voluntary programs that provide quantified

environmental data of a product, under pre-set categories of parameters set by a qualified third party and based on life cycle assessment, and verified by that or another qualified third party    

promote products which have a reduced environmental impact compared with other products in the same product group;

provide consumers with accurate and scientifically based information and guidance on products.

The Community Eco-label award scheme is designed to

The European Ecolabel is a voluntary scheme, established in 1992 to encourage businesses to market products and services that are kinder to the environment. Products awarded the Ecolabel are authorised to carry the flower logo, making them easy to identify and select.

European Ecolabel

The European Ecolabel is your guarantee of responsible manufacturing from “cradle to grave”.

The environmental criteria behind the Ecolabel are tough, and products are measured against  more than one element. They are measured and analysed on performance against the impact of the product on the environment throughout its life cycle, starting from extraction of raw materials in the pre-production stage, through to production, distribution and disposal of the product.Only products which meet these strict environmental standards are entitled to use the Ecolabel - giving consumers a label they can genuinely trust.

The European Ecolabel will help give you confidence when it comes to selecting the right products for your business.

Clear labelling, makes it easier to select products which have been accredited

The European Ecolabel will help you build and protect your business by enabling you to offer differentiated, high-performance products which carry the Ecolabel.

 

so, what does this mean for you?

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The easiest way to do Green Public Procurement: use the European Eco-label

The EU Eco-label is an official label managed by the European Commission which certifies that

a product or service is of good environmental quality and

guaranteed technical performance

An eco-labelled product generates less environmental impacts on air, water, soil and

human healthThroughout its life cycle, from

raw material extraction to end of life (“from cradle to grave”)

Added value: usage cost generally lower than average

Example: life cycle of a detergent

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What are the advantages of using the EU Eco-label in GPP

approaches? Public Procurement approaches

You do not have to be an expert in environmental issues to do green purchasing

The EU Eco-label is an official European recognition of the ecological quality of a product

The requirements for the award of the EU Eco-label relate to both technical performance and environmental characteristics of the product

The EU Eco-label covers 23 product and service groups, including products bought by public purchasers; cleaning products, office equipment, tourist accommodations…

European consensus on the scientific reliability of the criteria

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Established product groups Cleaning Products:

All purpose cleaners and cleaners for sanitary facilities

Detergents for dishwashers Hand dishwashing detergents

Laundry detergents Soaps and shampoos

AppliancesDishwashers

Heat pumps (Criteria under development) Light bulbs

Personal computers Portable computers

RefrigeratorsTelevisions

Vacuum cleaners Washing machines

Paper Products Copings and graphic paper

Printed Paper (Criteria under development)

Tissue paper

Home and garden Bed mattresses

Wooden Furniture (Criteria under development)

Hard and soft floor coverings Indoor & Outdoor paints and Varnishes

Soil improvers and growing media Textile products

ClothingFootwear Textile products

Tourism Camp Site service

Tourist accommodation service

LubricantsLubricants

PRODUCT GROUP DEVELOPMENT

EuP/ Ecolabel project Buildings

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Example: Personal computers criteria 1. Energy savings 2. Lifetime extension 3. Mercury content of a liquid crystal display (LCD)

monitor 4. Noise 5. Electromagnetic emissions 6. Take-back, recycling and hazardous substances 7. User instructions 8. Packaging 9. Information appearing on the eco-label

Energy Labelling

Is a way to show energy efficiency in household appliances, helping the consumer to choose more efficient equipment and save

moneyThe label also shows other information

related to the use of energy or other resources: e.g. water consumption

Energy labels are mandatory for all appliances placed on the EU market and

should always be clearly displayed on each appliance at the point of sale

2.1 – Energy Labels: what is it?

The ENERGY STAR is a voluntary appliance specific

label, identifying to consumers appliances (office equipment)

that meet certain standards regarding energy efficiency .

Green Labels: what is the Energy Star programme?

•It was orginally set up by the US EPA in 1992. In 2001 the European Union signed an Agreement with US EPA to introduce the ENERGY

STAR in Europe as well (for office equipment) – agreement updated 2006

•This allows potential partners in the European Union to sign up through the European Commission, who is responsible for the EU

ENERGY STAR Programme

“A process whereby public authorities seek to procure goods, services and works with a reduced environmental impact throughout their life cycle when compared to goods, services and works with the same primary function that would otherwise be procured”

GPP is a voluntary instrument, which means that individual Member States and public authorities can determine the extent to which they implement it.

Green purchasing is also about influencing the market: public authorities can provide industry with real incentives for developing green products.

Green Public Procurement: what is it?

To allow public authorities to buy products / services / work with reduced environmental impact

To drive the market to develop cleaner technologies and products

To involve people in a more sustainable market and to increase their wareness

3 – Green Public Procurement: why?

This certification stands for more ecology, more sustainability and more regionality in a business. It is certification of sustainably operating tourism businesses and takes account of their total resource use.

The CO2 data are collected and evaluated against similar businesses, using an anonymous benchmark system, and this means they can be compared with the best in the particular segment/category (class). This evaluation also identifies where specific improvements could be made.

Eco Hotels Certified

The Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN) is a non-profit association of third-party, environmental performance labelling organizations founded in 1994 to improve, promote, and develop the "ecolabelling" of products and services.

What is GEN?

Serve its members, other ecolabelling programs and stakeholders, and the public by improving, promoting and developing the ecolabelling of products and the credibility of ecolabelling programs worldwide

Foster co-operation, information exchange and harmonisation among members, associates, and other ecolabelling programs

Participate in international organisations in order to promote ecolabelling generally; and

Encourage the demand for, and supply of, more environmentally responsible goods and services.

The mission of the GEN is to: