Ecolabel

1. Ecolabel

2. What is Ecolabelling? • 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.

3. 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.

4. Types • 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 

5.   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 preferabilityof 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    

6. The Community Eco-label award scheme is designed to • 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.

7. European Ecolabel • 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.

8. 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.

9. so, what does this mean for you? • 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.

10. 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 health • Throughout 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

11. 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

12. Establishedproduct groups Home and garden • Bed mattressesWooden Furniture(Criteria under development) • Hard and soft floor coveringsIndoor & Outdoor paints and VarnishesSoil improvers and growing media • Textile products • Clothing • Footwear • Textile products • Tourism • Camp Site service • Tourist accommodation service • Lubricants • Lubricants • PRODUCT GROUP DEVELOPMENT • EuP/ Ecolabel project • Buildings Cleaning Products: All purpose cleaners and cleaners for sanitary facilities Detergents for dishwashers Hand dishwashing detergents Laundry detergents Soaps and shampoos Appliances Dishwashers Heat pumps(Criteria under development) Light bulbs Personal computers Portable computers Refrigerators Televisions Vacuum cleaners Washing machines Paper Products Copings and graphic paper Printed Paper(Criteria under development) Tissue paper

13. Example: Personal computerscriteria • 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

14. Energy Labelling Is a way to show energy efficiency in household appliances, helping the consumer to choose more efficient equipment and save money The 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?

15. Green Labels: what is the Energy Star programme? • The ENERGY STAR is a voluntary appliance specific label, identifying to consumers appliances (office equipment) that meet certain standards regarding energy efficiency. • 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

16. Green Public Procurement: what is it? • “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.

17. 3 – Green Public Procurement: why? • 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

18. Eco Hotels Certified • 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.

19. What is GEN? • 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.

20. The mission of the GEN is to: • 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.