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The EU Eco-label Award Scheme and its implementation in Austria. Dr. Regina Preslmair Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management. Taiex Bucharest, 13-14 March 2008. Responsibilities. DG Environment Ministry of Environment as competent body
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The EU Eco-label Award Scheme and its implementation in Austria Dr. Regina Preslmair Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management Taiex Bucharest, 13-14 March 2008
Responsibilities • DGEnvironment • Ministry of Environment as competent body • VKI (Austrian Consumer Association) as administrative support organisation • G&L as marketing experts
Development of Eco-labels in Austria • 1980`s: many private or regional (tourism) labels • 1990 Austrian Eco-label for products • 1992 European Eco-label for products • 1996: Austrian Eco-label for tourism enterprises • 2002 Austrian Eco-label for Schools • 2003 EU Eco-label for tourism • 2005 EU Eco-label for campsites • 2008 Austrian Eco-label for travel packages
Main aims in the tourism sector • Ecological positioning of the tourism sector • Reduction of negative environmental impact • promotion of ecological procurement • support of regional economy
Harmonization with EU-Flower • Intention of Austrian CB to harmonize is high„harmonize where possible and useful“ • Austrian „Eco-label Advisory Board“ agreed to the suggestion of harmonization • Target – both eco-labels with one audit • Revision of Austrian Tourism Criteria2004 harmonized
Steps towards certification 1 • Contact with Ministry or VKI • Application documents and Eco-Check • Meet open requirements of criteria • Information and counselling by specially trained consultants
Steps towards certification 2 • Verification by independent auditors • Payment of application fee • Contract and certification by Ministry of environment • Official award ceremony • Right tousethe labelformarketing
Cost Structure • Consulting costs (optional) • Audit costs for verification • Application and annual fee • Subsidies are possible
Financial Support and Subsidies • specific Subsidies for Eco-label consulting services • Increased subsidy rate for Eco-label Enterprises for special investments
Annual fee • Calculation:0,15 % of turnover*/year(*= Price of accommodation x No. of stays minus 50%) • Reductions:- 25 % for SME´s- 15 % for EMAS or ISO 14.000- 30 % for users of a national Eco-label (e.g. Austrian Eco-label) • max. 50% reduction possible! • Min. 100,- € each year
Technical Support in Austria • Electronic Application formand Software • AWK-plus Tourism:www.oeko.atExample for waste-concept „plus“ • Environmental Data Controlling-Software: recording tool for costs and consumption • „TourBench“ww.tourbench.infoOnline-Benchmarking Tool