Introduction to EU Ecolabel by Alf Hartzenburg 21 January 2011 CTFC Ecolabel Workshop.

Introduction to EU Ecolabel

by Alf Hartzenburg

21 January 2011

CTFC Ecolabel Workshop

Introduction to Ecolabelling

• Environmental Information SystemsEnvironmental Information Systems

• Theory of EcolabellingTheory of Ecolabelling

• Ecolabel InformationEcolabel Information

• BenefitsBenefits

Environmental Information Systems

• OverviewOverview

• Private Sector PerspectivePrivate Sector Perspective

• Life Cycle AssessmentLife Cycle Assessment


OverviewOverview

• environmental information systems vs environmental information systems vs ecolabelsecolabels

• ISO guidance standardsISO guidance standards

• eco-label goal - communication of eco-label goal - communication of verifiable & accurate information, verifiable & accurate information, leading to improvementleading to improvement


Private Sector PerspectivePrivate Sector Perspective

•ecolabels to promote sale of ecolabels to promote sale of products, products, together with price and qualitytogether with price and quality

•environmental credential for environmental credential for companycompany

•target audience and right approachtarget audience and right approach


Private Sector Perspective – cont’dPrivate Sector Perspective – cont’d

• marketing principles:marketing principles:

(1) be cautious about transference of (1) be cautious about transference of impactsimpacts

(2) ensure verifiability(2) ensure verifiability(3) avoid vagueness(3) avoid vagueness(4) ensure relevance(4) ensure relevance(5) avoid promoting non-green (5) avoid promoting non-green

productsproducts(6) be truthful(6) be truthful

Life Cycle Thinking Matrix- modification from full LCA for eco-labelling- LC Thinking or LC Considerations

- Eco labelling focuses on differentiating factorsEco labelling focuses on differentiating factors

Life Cycle ->Environment Aspect

Extraction

Manufacture

Distribution

Use Disposal

Raw Mats & Energy

Emissions

Physical Pollution

Waste Material

RRR – Mats & Energy

Totals

What kind of products best fit this profile?

Environmental Information SystemsExercise 1

Theory of Ecolabelling

OverviewOverview• Purpose of EcolabellingPurpose of Ecolabelling

• Criteria DevelopmentCriteria Development

• Progression of StringencyProgression of Stringency

• Compliant Production PopulationCompliant Production Population


Purpose of Ecolabelling:Purpose of Ecolabelling:

• Inform BuyersInform Buyers

• Create Market AdvantageCreate Market Advantage

• Cause displacementCause displacement

Theory of Ecolabelling Criteria Development


Progression of Stringency

Theory of EcolabellingPopulation

Theory of Ecolabelling Environmental Benefit

Ecolabel Information


Status of Implementation:

This section gives an overview of the status of This section gives an overview of the status of implementation of the EU ecolabel based on implementation of the EU ecolabel based on available statistical material provided by the available statistical material provided by the Commission:Commission:– product groups under the EU ecolabel schemeproduct groups under the EU ecolabel scheme– evolution of the number of licenses since 1992evolution of the number of licenses since 1992– number of licenses by producer countrynumber of licenses by producer country– distribution of award by product groupdistribution of award by product group– recognition by consumersrecognition by consumers


Product GroupsProduct Groups::

• currently 22 product groups and servicescurrently 22 product groups and services

– Cleaning:Cleaning:• All purpose cleaners and cleaners for sanitary facilitiesAll purpose cleaners and cleaners for sanitary facilities• Detergents for dishwashing machinesDetergents for dishwashing machines• Hand dishwashing detergentsHand dishwashing detergents• Laundry detergentsLaundry detergents• Soaps, shampoos and hair conditionersSoaps, shampoos and hair conditioners

– Clothing:Clothing:• TextilesTextiles• FootwearFootwear

– Do-it-yourself:Do-it-yourself:• Hard floor coveringsHard floor coverings• Paints and varnishesPaints and varnishes


Product GroupsProduct Groups::


– Electronic Equipment:Electronic Equipment:• Personal ComputersPersonal Computers• Portable ComputersPortable Computers• TelevisionsTelevisions

– Gardening:Gardening:• Growing media and Soil improversGrowing media and Soil improvers

– Household Appliances:Household Appliances:• Light bulbsLight bulbs• Heat pumpsHeat pumps


Product Groups:Product Groups:


– Lubricants:Lubricants:• LubricantsLubricants

– Other Household Items:Other Household Items:• MattressesMattresses

– Paper:Paper:• Copy and graphic paperCopy and graphic paper• Tissue paperTissue paper

– Services:Services:• Campsite servicesCampsite services• Tourist accomodation servicesTourist accomodation services


Product GroupsProduct Groups

Under DevelopmentUnder Development::• BuildingsBuildings• Wooden furnitureWooden furniture• Printed paperPrinted paper• Revision of product groups in the framework of the EuP Revision of product groups in the framework of the EuP

working plan:working plan:– RefrigeratorsRefrigerators– Washing machinesWashing machines– Computers and laptopsComputers and laptops– LightningLightning

Ecolabel InformationNo. of Licences since 1992

• Since its establishment in Since its establishment in 1992, the number of 1992, the number of companies receiving the companies receiving the label has increased year label has increased year after year.after year.• By end of April 2009, By end of April 2009, more than 830 companies more than 830 companies were awarded the EU eco-were awarded the EU eco-label for their productslabel for their products• About 230 new About 230 new companies were added to companies were added to the Green Store Catalogue the Green Store Catalogue in 2008: 45% more than in in 2008: 45% more than in 20072007

Ecolabel InformationNo of Licenses by Producer Country• By July 2009, Italy By July 2009, Italy and France had the and France had the greatest number of greatest number of eco-label holders, eco-label holders, with more than 260 with more than 260 and 150 licensesand 150 licenses

respectively.respectively.• They are followed They are followed by Denmark and by Denmark and Germany who each Germany who each have more than 50 have more than 50 licenses.licenses.

Ecolabel InformationDistribution of Awards

•Tourist accommodation Tourist accommodation services represent 34% of services represent 34% of the total number of the total number of licenses followed by all-licenses followed by all-purpose and sanitary purpose and sanitary cleaners (12%).cleaners (12%).•Textile products, indoor Textile products, indoor and outdoor paints and and outdoor paints and varnishes each varnishes each representing 10% of representing 10% of licenses.licenses.


Customer RecognitionCustomer Recognition

• EU-wide survey amongst European’s consumers on EU-wide survey amongst European’s consumers on SCP related aspects in 2009:SCP related aspects in 2009:– A slim majority (55%) of EU citizens claimed that A slim majority (55%) of EU citizens claimed that

when buying or using products they are – generally when buying or using products they are – generally – fully aware or know about the most significant – fully aware or know about the most significant impacts of these products on the environment.impacts of these products on the environment.

– Slightly more than 8 in 10 EU citizens felt that a Slightly more than 8 in 10 EU citizens felt that a product’s impact on the environment is an product’s impact on the environment is an important element when deciding which products important element when deciding which products to buy (34% “very important” and 49% “rather to buy (34% “very important” and 49% “rather important”); only 4% said this is not important at important”); only 4% said this is not important at all. all.


Expected Targets & OutcomesExpected Targets & Outcomes

• 40/50 product groups by 201540/50 product groups by 2015• many more eco-label products on the shelves for consumers to many more eco-label products on the shelves for consumers to

choose fromchoose from• criteria documents which can easily be used by public criteria documents which can easily be used by public

purchaserspurchasers• an eco-label very well harmonised with other labels, globally an eco-label very well harmonised with other labels, globally

and nationallyand nationally• an eco-label that can be attained by companies with limited an eco-label that can be attained by companies with limited

costs and efforts for them while still maintaining a high ambitioncosts and efforts for them while still maintaining a high ambition• to be evaluated by the end of 2011: widening-up the scope of the to be evaluated by the end of 2011: widening-up the scope of the

EU eco-label to food and drinksEU eco-label to food and drinks

Consumer Benefits of Ecolabel • Credible sign of environmental excellence (official Credible sign of environmental excellence (official

certificate from EU Member States & EU Commission)certificate from EU Member States & EU Commission)• Strict & reliable criteria verifiable by independent Strict & reliable criteria verifiable by independent

auditorsauditors• High product qualityHigh product quality• Merchandise integrity – safe to useMerchandise integrity – safe to use• Improved fitness for use performance levelsImproved fitness for use performance levels• Guaranteed positive environmental impact:Guaranteed positive environmental impact:- Low emissionsLow emissions- Reduced wasteReduced waste- Elimination of hazardous substancesElimination of hazardous substances• Better for your healthBetter for your health• Easy to Spot...simplifying choicesEasy to Spot...simplifying choices

Producer/Retailer Benefits of Ecolabel • Simplifies export to European Countries…1 label application Simplifies export to European Countries…1 label application

for the whole of Europefor the whole of Europe• Offers discounts to SME’s and applicants from Developing Offers discounts to SME’s and applicants from Developing

CountriesCountries• Allows free use of existing marketing tools like the Green Allows free use of existing marketing tools like the Green

Store and the ecolabel homepage.Store and the ecolabel homepage.• Positively impacts purchase behaviour…essential Positively impacts purchase behaviour…essential

differentiating pointdifferentiating point• Rapidly growing market segment…see green online retailersRapidly growing market segment…see green online retailers• Strong Business Credential…Official LabelStrong Business Credential…Official Label• Criteria used in product specification by many European Criteria used in product specification by many European

ImportersImporters• Contributes to a sustainable economyContributes to a sustainable economy• Contributes to energy savingsContributes to energy savings

Introduction to EU Ecolabel

End of Session

Any Questions?

Thank You

Introduction to EU Ecolabel by Alf Hartzenburg 21 January 2011 CTFC Ecolabel Workshop.

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Transcript of Introduction to EU Ecolabel by Alf Hartzenburg 21 January 2011 CTFC Ecolabel Workshop.