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

Introduction to Ecolabelling Environmental Information Systems Environmental Information Systems Theory of Ecolabelling Theory of Ecolabelling Ecolabel Information Ecolabel Information Benefits Benefits

Environmental Information Systems Overview Overview Private Sector Perspective Private Sector Perspective Life Cycle Assessment Life Cycle Assessment

Environmental Information Systems Overview environmental information systems vs ecolabels environmental information systems vs ecolabels ISO guidance standards ISO guidance standards eco-label goal - communication of verifiable & accurate information, leading to improvement eco-label goal - communication of verifiable & accurate information, leading to improvement

Environmental Information Systems Private Sector Perspective ecolabels to promote sale of products,ecolabels to promote sale of products, together with price and quality together with price and quality environmental credential for companyenvironmental credential for company target audience and right approachtarget audience and right approach

Environmental Information Systems Private Sector Perspective – cont’d marketing principles: marketing principles: (1) be cautious about transference of impacts (2) ensure verifiability (3) avoid vagueness (4) ensure relevance (5) avoid promoting non-green products (6) be truthful

Life Cycle Thinking Matrix - modification from full LCA for eco-labelling - LC Thinking or LC Considerations Eco labelling focuses on differentiating factors - Eco labelling focuses on differentiating factors Life Cycle -> Environment Aspect ExtractionManufactureDistributionUseDisposal Raw Mats & Energy Emissions Physical Pollution Waste Material RRR – Mats & Energy Totals

What kind of products best fit this profile? Environmental Information Systems Exercise 1

Theory of Ecolabelling Overview Purpose of Ecolabelling Purpose of Ecolabelling Criteria Development Criteria Development Progression of Stringency Progression of Stringency Compliant Production Population Compliant Production Population

Theory of Ecolabelling Purpose of Ecolabelling: Inform Buyers Inform Buyers Create Market Advantage Create Market Advantage Cause displacement Cause displacement

Theory of Ecolabelling Criteria Development

Theory of Ecolabelling Progression of Stringency

Theory of Ecolabelling Population

Theory of Ecolabelling Environmental Benefit

Ecolabel Information

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

Ecolabel Information Product Groups : currently 22 product groups and servicescurrently 22 product groups and services –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: TextilesTextiles FootwearFootwear –Do-it-yourself: Hard floor coveringsHard floor coverings Paints and varnishesPaints and varnishes

Ecolabel Information Product Groups : currently 22 product groups and servicescurrently 22 product groups and services –Electronic Equipment: Personal ComputersPersonal Computers Portable ComputersPortable Computers TelevisionsTelevisions –Gardening: Growing media and Soil improversGrowing media and Soil improvers –Household Appliances: Light bulbsLight bulbs Heat pumpsHeat pumps

Ecolabel Information Product Groups: currently 22 product groups and servicescurrently 22 product groups and services –Lubricants: LubricantsLubricants –Other Household Items: MattressesMattresses –Paper: Copy and graphic paperCopy and graphic paper Tissue paperTissue paper –Services: Campsite servicesCampsite services Tourist accomodation servicesTourist accomodation services

Ecolabel Information Product Groups Under Development : BuildingsBuildings Wooden furnitureWooden furniture Printed paperPrinted paper Revision of product groups in the framework of the EuP working plan:Revision of product groups in the framework of the EuP working plan: –Refrigerators –Washing machines –Computers and laptops –Lightning

Ecolabel Information No. of Licences since 1992 Since its establishment in 1992, the number of companies receiving the label has increased year after year. Since its establishment in 1992, the number of companies receiving the label has increased year after year. By end of April 2009, more than 830 companies were awarded the EU eco- label for their products By end of April 2009, more than 830 companies were awarded the EU eco- label for their products About 230 new companies were added to the Green Store Catalogue in 2008: 45% more than in 2007 About 230 new companies were added to the Green Store Catalogue in 2008: 45% more than in 2007

Ecolabel Information No of Licenses by Producer Country By July 2009, Italy and France had the greatest number of eco-label holders, with more than 260 and 150 licenses respectively. By July 2009, Italy and France had the greatest number of eco-label holders, with more than 260 and 150 licenses respectively. They are followed by Denmark and Germany who each have more than 50 licenses.

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

Ecolabel Information Customer Recognition Customer Recognition EU-wide survey amongst European’s consumers on SCP related aspects in 2009:EU-wide survey amongst European’s consumers on SCP related aspects in 2009: –A slim majority (55%) of EU citizens claimed that when buying or using products they are – generally – fully aware or know about the most significant impacts of these products on the environment. –Slightly more than 8 in 10 EU citizens felt that a product’s impact on the environment is an important element when deciding which products to buy (34% “very important” and 49% “rather important”); only 4% said this is not important at all.

Ecolabel Information Expected Targets & Outcomes Expected Targets & Outcomes 40/50 product groups by /50 product groups by 2015 many more eco-label products on the shelves for consumers to choose frommany more eco-label products on the shelves for consumers to choose from criteria documents which can easily be used by public purchaserscriteria documents which can easily be used by public purchasers an eco-label very well harmonised with other labels, globally and nationallyan eco-label very well harmonised with other labels, globally and nationally an eco-label that can be attained by companies with limited costs and efforts for them while still maintaining a high ambitionan eco-label that can be attained by companies with limited costs and efforts for them while still maintaining a high ambition to be evaluated by the end of 2011: widening-up the scope of the EU eco-label to food and drinksto be evaluated by the end of 2011: widening-up the scope of the EU eco-label to food and drinks

Consumer Benefits of Ecolabel Credible sign of environmental excellence (official certificate from EU Member States & EU Commission)Credible sign of environmental excellence (official certificate from EU Member States & EU Commission) Strict & reliable criteria verifiable by independent auditorsStrict & reliable criteria verifiable by independent auditors 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 emissions -Reduced waste -Elimination 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 for the whole of EuropeSimplifies export to European Countries…1 label application for the whole of Europe Offers discounts to SME’s and applicants from Developing CountriesOffers discounts to SME’s and applicants from Developing Countries Allows free use of existing marketing tools like the Green Store and the ecolabel homepage.Allows free use of existing marketing tools like the Green Store and the ecolabel homepage. Positively impacts purchase behaviour…essential differentiating pointPositively impacts purchase behaviour…essential differentiating 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 ImportersCriteria used in product specification by many European Importers 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