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INTERNATIONAL SCENARIO ORGANISATIONS WORKING ON ECO LABELLING
Country: Germany Organization: Federal Environmental Agency Program: GERMAN BLUE ANGEL SCHEME Home Page: http://www.blauer-engel.de Contact, Address, Phone,
Fax, E-mail: The world’s first eco-labelling programmes, Blue Angel, was created in 1977 to promote environmentally-sound products, relative to others in the same group categories. It is generally regarded as the model for all other environmental labelling programme. The label is composed of a blue figure with outstretched arms surrounded by a blue ring with a laurel wreath. A standard inscription, “Umweltzeichen” (environmental label) is at the top of the logo, and a second inscription for the individual product group is found at the bottom. This eco-label relies on information and voluntary cooperation, as well as on the motivation and the willingness of each individual to make a contribution towards environmental protection. The Blue Angel is addressed at all market players, enabling retailers and consumers to make deliberate choices in favour of environmentally-sound alternatives. Once approved, eco-labelled products are reviewed every two or three years to reflect state-of-the-art developments in ecological technology and product design.
Country: Canada Organization: TerraChoice Environmental Services Inc., Environment Canada Program: Environmental ChoiceM Program Home Page: http://www.terrachoice.ca/ Contact, Address, Phone,
Fax, E-mail: Canada’s “Environmental Choice” Eco-Logo symbol of certification features three stylized doves ‘intertwined to form a maple leaf, representing consumers, industry and government working together to improve Canada’s environment. Established in 1988, the programme helps consumers identify products and services that are less harmful to the environment. A product or service may be certified because it is made or offered in a way that improves energy efficiency, reduces hazardous by-products, uses recycled materials or because the product itself can be reused. Product manufacturers, importers or purveyors of services may apply for a license to use the Eco-Logo, once a guideline containing criteria relevant to the product or service type has been approved. Environmental Choice guidelines are based on the best information available at the time and are upgraded as new information and technology make higher standards possible. Guidelines are developed in consultation with industry, environmental groups, universities and independent technical and scientific advisors.
Country: Japan Organization: Ecomark Office, Japan Environment Association (JEA) Program: Eco Mark Program Home page: http://www.jeas.or.jp/ecomark/english Contact, Address, Phone,
Fax, E-mail: Since 1989, the Japanese Environmental Association has administered the Eco Mark Program with the goal of disseminating environmental information on products and encouraging consumers to choose environmentally-sound products. The symbol itself represents the desire to protect the earth with our own hands, using the pharase “Friendly to the Earth” at the top of the symbol and the product category below it. This goal will be accomplished by authorizing the Eco Mark to be displayed on products that reduce the envoronmental load caused by every-day acitivities, thereby contributing to the preservation of the environment. ENVIRONMENTAL LABELLING IN THE NORDIC COUNTRIES Environmental labelling is an official joint Nordic endeavour that is the result of a co-operation organized by the Nordic Council. this is the world’s first multi-national environmental labelling scheme, and it embraces Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland. The labelling scheme also has cooperation with the EC ecolabelling system. The Nordic environmental label is a netural, independent label which guarantees a certain environmental standard. Only products which satisfy strict environmental requirements on the basis of objective assessments are allowed to display the environmental product label. The green label with the swan is based on the emblem of the Nordic Council.
Country: FINLAND Organization: FINISH STANDARDS ASSOCIATION (SFS) Program: NORDIC SWAN LABEL Home Page: Contact, Address, Phone, Fax, E-mail: Finnish Standards Association
SFS, Environmental Labelling
Country: Norway Organization:Norwegian Foundation for Environmental Labelling Program: Nordic Swan Label Home Page: http://www.ecolabel.no/english/ Contact, Address,
Phone, Fax, E-mail:
Country: Sweden Organization: SIS Ecolabelling AB Program: Nordic Swan Label Home page: http://www.svanen.nu/eng/ Contact, Address, Phone,
Fax, E-mail: SIS Eco-labelling SIS Eco-labelling is responsible for the Swan label and the EU Flower. Organisation is commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture, do not favour any industry sector and are a non profit organisation. Use of eco-labelling is to help consumers to make environmentally-friendly proudct choices. It also wants to encourage manufacturers to develop products with a greater regard for the environment.
Country: Sweden(TCO) Organization: TCO Development Program: TCO DEVELOPMENT Home Page: http://www.tcodevelopment.com/ Contact, Address, Phone,
Fax, E-mail: At TCO Development, it works with
quality certification and environmental labeling of office equipment
and with a set of knowledge tools designed to improve the work environment
and the external environment. In labeling of computers, monitors,
and keyboards, TCO is the world leader. The aim of everything is to
create a better work environment for office employees.
Country: United States of America Organization: Green Seal Inc. Program: Green Seal Home page: http://www.greenseal.org/ Contact, Address, Phone,
Fax, E-mail: In USA, two systems namely 1. Green Seal and 2. Scientific
Certification Systems (SCS) GREEN SEAL Green Seal is an independent non-profit environmental labelling organization that awards a “Green Seal of Approval” to products found to cause significantly less harm to the environment than other similar products. The Green Seal Certification mark, a blue globe with a green check, identifies those products which are environmentally preferable, empowering consumers to choose products based on their environmental impacts. Green Seal believes in the power of consumers, both individual and institutional, to change the world. Every time a product is purchased, a vote is cast for or against the Earth. Green Seal develops environmental standards for consumer products through a public review process involving manufacturers, environmental organizations, consumer groups and government agencies. Products are certified only after rigorous testing and evaluation. Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) is the primary testing contractor for Green Seal. SCIENTIFIC CERTIFICATION SYSTEM (SCS) Previously known as Green Cross exist to assess the environmental impact of Consumer Products and to provide environmental seals of approval to these products. It is neutral, third party and certification organisation, founded in 1984, which certifies specific environmental claims on products. It is formed by a group of experts who conduct certification.
Country: NEW ZEALAND Organization: ENVIRONMENTAL CHOICE NEW ZEALAND Program: ENVIRONMENTAL CHOICE Home Page: http://www.enviro-choice.org.nz Contact, Address, Phone,
Fax, E-mail: Environmental Choice New Zealand Trust is a voluntary, multiple criteria based environmental labelling programme, which operates to international standards and principles. Initiated and endorsed by the New Zealand Government, Environmental Choice recognises the genuine moves made by manufactures to reduce the environmental impacts of their products and provides a credible and independent guide for consumers who want to purchase products that are better for the environment.
Country:India Organization: Central Pollution Control Board(CPCB) Program:ECO MARK Home Page: http://envfor.nic.in/cpcb/ Contact, Address,
Phone, Fax, E-mail: FOR DETAILS PLEASE SEE INDIAN SCENARIO
Country: SINGAPORE Organization: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT OF THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT Program: SINGAPORE GREEN LABELLING SCHEME Home page: http://www.sec.org.sg/ Contact, Address, Phone, Fax, E-mail: The Secretariat The Ministry of Environmen of the Government of Singapore launched the Singapore Green Labelling Scheme in May 1992. One of the objectives is to guide the consumers in identifying products that are friendly to the environment. It also encourages manufacturers to design and supply environmentally benign products. The scheme is voluntary and is open to both local and foreign companies. Companies whose products meet the qualifying criteria are granted the right to display the Green Label logo on their products.
Country: France Organization: Program: NF ENVIRONMENT Home page: Contact, Address, Phone, Fax, E-mail: The NF Environment mark is the Eco-Logo for France. Created in 1992, it features a single leaf covering a globe. The mark means that the product has less adverse impact on the environment while achieving the same level of service as other products on the market. Industries which wish to highlight their environmental efforts can voluntarily apply to use the Eco-Logo on their products.
Country: European Union(EU) Organization: European Commission DG ENVIRONMENT D3 Program: EUROPEAN UNION ECO-LABEL AWARD SCHEME (EU)
Contact, Address, Phone,
Fax, E-mail: The EU eco-labelling programme was launched throughout the European Community in 1993 to encourage the manufacture of less environmentally-damaging products. The European Union’s Eco-label, a flower with the EU’s star symbol, is awarded to products that have passed a life cycle analysis. The programme provides consumers with independent information to assist in the purchasing process, and the Eco-label is awarded to products which have a reduced impact on the environment. All EU member states participate in the programme representing a market of 340 million consumers in Europe. The strength of this label is the European dimension. Once approved by one member state, it can be used throughout the other states, avoiding costly and redundant applications.
Country: Korea Organization: Korea Environmental Labelling Association (KELA) Program:KOREA ENVIRONMENTAL LABELLING PROGRAMME Home Page: http://www.kela.or.kr/ Contact, Address, Phone,
Fax, E-mail: KELA was formally established in 1994 in association with the Ministry of Environment. KELA, a non-profit organization, is the only agency effectively administrating the Environmental Labelling program of Korea which is a Type ? scheme(ISO 14024) that has been set by International Standardization Organization. Major activities
Country: REPUBLIC OF CHINA (TAIWAN) Organization: ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION Program: GREEN MARK PROGRAM Home page: http://www.greenmark.org.tw/ Contact, Address, Phone, Fax, E-mail: Ning Yu The Green mark Programme of Taiwan was launched during August 1992 by the Environmental Protecion Administration. The programme is developed to promote the concept of recycling, pollution reduction, and resource conservation. The objectives of awarding the Green Mark is to guide the consumers in product purchasing and to encourage manufacturers to design and supply environmental benign products.
Country: Luxembourg Organization: Attache De Gouvrement, Ministere De L'Environment Program: European Union Ecolabel Award Scheme Home Page: http://www.mev.etat.lu/ Contact, Address,
Phone, Fax, E-mail:
Country: Spain Organization: AENOR. Asociacion Espanola de Normalizacion y Certificacion Program: AENOR-Medio Ambiente Home page: http://www.aenor.es/ Contact, Address, Phone,
Fax, E-mail:
AENOR, Spanish body of private, independent nature, non-profit making, recognized in the national, community and international fields, contributes, by means of the development of STANDARDIZATION and CERTIFICATION activities, towards both the improvement of companies’ quality, products and services, and the protection of the Environment, and so, the social welfare. The objetives of AENOR-Medio Ambiente are: To promote the design, production, marketing and use of products which reduce the stress on the enviroment over their whole life cycle. To provide accurate, verificable and relevant information to the consumer.
Country:Hungary Organization: Hungarian Eco-Labelling Organization(HELO) Program: HUNGARIAN
ECO-LABELLING PROGRAM Home Page: Contact, Address, Phone,
Fax, E-mail: Upon the decree of the Hungarian Government, the Ministry for Environment decided to introduce an eco-label in 1993. The objective is to direct producers and distributors to produce and distribute environmentally sound products (goods and services) and to inform consumers on the environmental features of the goods or services. Products that are especially environmentally compatible can be awarded the eco-label. The Hungarian eco-labelling scheme is based on a “Cradle-to-grave Approach” The experts entrusted by the assessment evaluate all the life stages of products of the actual product group in question, to identify the most significant stage (or stages) from an environmental point of view. The criteria include the most important environmental impacts.
Country: Croatia Organization: Ministry of Environmental Protection and Physical Planning Program: Environmental Label Home Page: http://www.duzpo.hr Contact, Address, Phone,
Fax, E-mail: The Environmental Label of the Republic of Croatia demonstrates the positive relationship of a product to the environment. The manufacturer and all the others who are voluntarily involved in the Environmental Label award want to show what has been done to reduce environmental pollution and consumption of raw materials and energy. The Environmental Label represents a guide for the consumer which leads him to make the best choice in terms of environmental protection and also to cope with a number of various advertising messages most of which are arbitrary, unprofessional and incorrect. The Environmental Label award has been established with the aim to stimulate the development of new (e.g. low-waste-content) technologies, the production and consumption of environmentally friendly products, the reduction of environmental pollution and rational resource and energy
Country: THAILAND Organization: THAILAND ENVIRONMENT INSTITUTE Program: GREEN LABEL Home page: http://www.tei.or.th/ Contact, Address, Phone,
Fax, E-mail:
The Thai Green Label Scheme applies
to products and services, excluding food and beverages, and pharmaceuticals.
Products or services which meet the Thai Green Label criteria can
carry the Thai Green Label. Participation in the Scheme is voluntary
and the Scheme is open to both domestic and foreign suppliers.
Country: Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region) Organization:Green Council Program: Green Label Home Page: http://www.greencouncil.org/ Contact, Address, Phone,
Fax, E-mail: Tel: +852-2810-1122 The Green Council (GC) is a non-profit, non-partisan environmental association of Hong Kong A group of individuals from different sectors of industry and academics shared the vision to help build Hong Kong into a world-class green city for the future. They formed the Green Council in May 2000 with the aim of encouraging the industrial and commercial sectors to include environmental protection in their production and management processes. The Green Council (GC) was registered as a non-profit making organisation in December 2000. The primary objectives of GC are to: Raise public awareness for the need of a better environment Encourage and improve environmental management and performance of local industries Promote the image of Hong Kong as a city that gives high importance to environmental protection. WHAT IS HONG KONG GREEN LABEL SCHEME? The HKGLS is an independent and voluntary scheme for the certification of environmentally preferable products. Organised by the Green Council (GC), and co-organised by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), the scheme sets environmental standards and awards “Green Label” to products that cause less harm to the environment. The HKGLS label signifies products that are less damaging to the environment than other similar products, so as to facilitate consumers in choosing environmentally friendly products in the market and to promote a more sustainable pattern of consumption. The scheme encourages manufacturers to supply products with good environmental performance and provide a convenient means for consumers to recognise products that are more environmentally responsible/friendly. To qualify for the Green Label, products have to be independently assessed and proved to fulfill a series of pre-set environmental requirements. The Scheme is supported by academics, various industrial and environmental organizations.
Country:Australia Organization:Australian Envrionmental Labelling Association Inc Program: The Australian Ecolabel Program Home Page: www.aela.org.au Contact, Address, Phone,
Fax, E-mail: In Australia there has been no comprehensive independent environmental label recognised throughout the market to date. The Australian “Good Environmental Choice” label has been launched in 2002 and provides to the community an environmental mark of recognition for a wide range of products. The benefits of an independent environmental label is that all Australians can easily recognise products which are sensitive to environmental pressures. The Australian Ecolabel Programme has been developed for general compliance to ISO 14024 and is managed by a non profit organisation utilising a national network of registered assessors. The programme awards a mark for recognition for products that meet standards of environmental, quality and social performance. The voluntary Australian Environmental Labelling Standards developed by the Australian Environmental Labelling Association are designed to give manufacturers, distributors and marketers the financial benefits of dealing in and producing environmentally preferable products. The association develops scientifically recognised benchmarks for the environmental performance of products throughout the market. A products performance against these benchmarks will determine whether the product is awarded the Australian “Good Environmental Choice” eco-label.
Country: Israel Organization: Ministry of the Environment Program:Green Label Program Home Page: Contact, Address, Phone,
Fax, E-mail:
Country: Brazil Organization: Associacao Brasileira de Normas Tecnicas Program: Home page : http://www.abnt.org.br Contact, Address, Phone,
Fax, E-mail :
Country: China Organization: China Certification Committee for Environmental Labelling Products (CCEL) Program: China Environmental Labelling Scheme Home Page: http://www.cpg-sccel.org.cn Contact, Address, Phone, Fax, E-mail: Introduction China Certification Committee for Environmental Labelling Products (CCEL) is formed by the State Environmental Protection Administration of China, State Bureau of Technical Supervision and the State Administration of Import and Export Inspection and Quarantine, as well as professionals from various disciplines to oversee the operation of the environmental labelling Scheme. Popup CCEL formed the Secretariat of China Certification Committee for Environmental Labelling Products (SCCEL) is recognised by the State Environmental Protection Administration of China as the only authority to conduct third party certification and the award of China Environmental Labels.
Country: Denmark Organization: Ecolabelling Denmark Program: Nordic Swan Label, and EU Eco-label Home Page:http://www.ecolabel.dk Contact, Address, Phone,
Fax, E-mail:
Global Ecolabelling Network The Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN) is a non-profit association of ecolabelling organization from around the world. These ecolabelling organisations set criteria for and certify products and services with lower environmental burdens and impacts than comparable products with the same function. GEN was founded in 1994 to improve, promote, and develop the ecolabelling of products and services. GEN fosters information exchange among its members, dissemination of information to the public, and longer-term harmonization of ecolabelling programs, as appropriate. In addition, GEN represents the interests of ecolabelling in various international forums, and provides information and technical assistance to developing programs. Currently, the members of GEN include 26 ecolabelling organizations from Europe, Asia and North and South America. To obtain an up-to-date list of members, contact the secretariat listed on the back page.
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