Industries’ activities in collaboration with the Commission UNICE-UEAPME Eco-Label Information Day Guido Lena Responsible for Environmental Affairs at UEAPME

Why concentrate on Eco-Label? Eco-Label is one of the very few voluntary instruments of the EU environmental policy UEAPME thinks that voluntary instruments should be supported and increased. At the same time, the “command and control approach” should be reduced.

Eco-Label has potential for SMEs The European Eco-Label guarantees that products and services respect and take care of our environment. This is, therefore, one of the best official tools for businesses who want to have a "green" image. The European Eco-Label is a powerful market tool for SMEs operating in the Internal Market, since it can be used and recognised throughout the European Union and the European Economic Area. It is also open to services.

Let’s get in and make it better! (the story) UEAPME’s First request to DG Environment: August ‘95 = No! UEAPME’s Second request to DG Environment: March ‘97 = Yes! UEAPME contributed towards the revision of the Eco-Label Regulation and joined informally some AHWGs (textiles, shoes)

Let’s get in and make it better! (the results I.) At the end of the Revision of the Eco-Label Regulation : UEAPME was given the task to represent SMEs and Craft as full member of the European Eco- Label scheme: the European Union Eco-Labelling Board (EUEB) and the Consultative Forum

Let’s get in and make it better! (the results II.) Specific advantages aimed at increasing SMEs' participation. A minimum and maximum application fee of 300 and 1300 € respectively were fixed. For SMEs this application fee is reduced by 25%. A minimum and maximum annual fee of 500 and € respectively per product group per applicant were fixed. For SMEs this annual fee is reduced by 25%. The annual fee is reduced by 15% for companies that have an EMAS registration and/or an EN ISO certification.

Let’s get in and make it better! (the results III.) UEAPME was involved in the discussion on the first Eco-Label Working Plan: some of the new product groups, such as shopping bags/plastic bags, building services, dry cleaners and vehicle repair services, are UEAPME’s proposals

Let’s get in and make it better! (the results IV.) DG Environment decided to reimburse the travel expenses of UEAPME’s experts in the Eco-Label AHWGs UEAPME applied twice for a service contract with DG Environment in order to represent SMEs in the Eco-Label Scheme

UEAPME’s tasks Participate in the meetings of the EUEB and CF Submit in advance to these meetings written positions on the points of relevance to SMEs or to products manufactured by SMEs Nominate technical representatives for the AHWGs on product groups relevant to SMEs Promote the Eco-Label and diffuse information about Eco-Label to UEAPME members and SMEs

12 AHWGs where UEAPME was represented (I) All purpose and sanitary cleaners Bed-mattresses Detergents for dishwashers Dishwashers Footwear Furniture

12 AHWGs where UEAPME was represented (II) Hard floor coverings Indoor paints and varnishes Laundry Detergents Light Bulbs Textiles Tourist Accommodation

Overview of the results and possible improvements (I) Excellent collaboration between UEAPME and the Eco-Label Team Bottlenecks of the current system: UEAPME is only one of the many consultative interests groups (consumers, environmental NGOs, trade unions, etc;) North-South differences among Member States: difficult to establish common reference products

Overview of the results and possible improvements (II) Preconditions for a better participation of SMEs in the Eco-Label Scheme: More SME manufactured product/service groups Cut the tests cost to a minimum More return on investments (marketing) Further reduction in fees? (next revision)