1. The Role of the EU Ecolabel in the printing industry 2013
Jyvaskyla, 18 April 2013

2. Topics Common sense and responsibility Current situation
Why the EU Ecolabel
GPP and the Ecolabel
Nicholas Paxevanos

3. Current Situation The EU Ecolabel
Established in 1992 and covers goods & services (not food and drugs).
A Voluntary and transparent scheme, A Type-I environmental label:
certified by independent third party
The EU Ecolabel is an important instrument for Supporting the SCP and SIP Action plans in Promoting sustainable products and reducing Environmental damage
It is the European Union's official label for the most environmentally responsible products
It is based on a LCA approach, Criteria are set for:
Raw materials
Manufacturing processess, packaging, distribution
End of life
SCP: Sustainable consumption and production
SIP: Sustainable industry policy

4. Current Situation Ecolabels in Finland for Printed products
The European Ecolabel – The Flower
2 licences for printed paper products
Nordic Ecolabel – The SWAN
400 licence holders in Scandinavia
The EU Ecolabel….
The Nordic Ecolabel was initiated in 1989 by the Nordic Council of Ministers. It is a Type 1 Ecolabel (ISO 14024) environmental label meaning that it is a voluntary, third-party certified Ecolabel with stringent criteria for the Ecolabelling of products and services. The criteria are regularly revised to ensure the highest environmental standards. The Nordic Ecolabel is established and internationally well-known.

5. Current Situation Fees
Min
Max
Reductions
Application fee covers the costs of processing the application.
EUR 200
EUR 1 200
Max. EUR 600 for SMEs and applicants from developing countries  Max. EUR 350 for micro-enterprises  20% reduction for companies registered under EMAS or certified under ISO 14001
Annual fee for the use of the Ecolabel equals
EUR 350
EUR 1,500
EUR 1500
EUR 10-20,000 for larger offset printing houses
Max. EUR 750 for SMEs and applicants from developing countries  Max. EUR 350 for micro-enterprises
Eur 0,54 when 2,000 are delivered
EUR 2000 Includes inspection on site
Where to apply
Fees
EU Ecolabel: ……
Nordic Swan
The application fee is euro*. This includes handling the application and inspection on-site. For printing houses the yearly fee from using the Nordic Ecolabel is based on the yearly paper usage and how much paper tonnage is purchased.
The basic fee is 1,5 euro per tonne paper for printed matter delivered to the Nordic market. For Nordic Ecolabelled paper the fee is 1 euro per tonne. When tonnes have been used, the fee is lowered to 0,54 euro per tonne. For most average-sized printing houses in the Nordic countries the minimum fee of euro is charged according to this gradation scale. Please contact us for individual requests.
For larger offset printing houses the usual fee is approximately – euro. Larger printing houses are welcome to contact us for a separat price estimation.
Printing houses outside the Nordic region
A printing house outside the Nordic countries can of course sell Nordic Ecolabelled printing materials in the Nordic countries. The requirement is that the company first must apply for the Nordic Ecolabel licence in the Nordic country where the company has its highest turnover in order to be able to use the Nordic Ecolabel trademark. This procedure automatically gives acces to the other Nordic countries for selling Nordic Ecolabelled products and also to sell in the rest of the world. Fees are based on the printing house´s total paper usage for products delivered to the Nordic market. For products sold to other markets there is no fee.
Revision fees
When critieria documents are revised the licence must be reviewed and this entails a revision fee of euro. An additional fee is charged when a licence is expanded to include more products. The maximum charge is however euro.
Maximum and minimum charges
The Nordic Ecolabel has a minimum charge of euro/licence and a maximum fee of euro for those who use several thousand tonne paper per year.
*) All fees are rounded and payed in national currencies.
EUR 1 / ton

6. Current Situation Licences by product groups 2012
January 2012

7. Current Situation Licences by country 2012
Country | number of awards > total 1.758
A licence can contain a number of products ….
Source: Flower Newsletter
April 2012

8. Current Situation Products by countries 2012

9. Current Situation EU Ecolabel products/licences
2012: licences more than products
Parabolic curve

10. Current Situation Product groups and recognition level
Criteria defined for 30 product groups
Recognition level
2009 Eurobarometer figures
4 out of 10 had seen the EU logo
22- 64% Ecolabels are important in purchasing decissions
Soap & shampoos
detergents
Textiles, footwear
Paper (printed products, copy-/graphic papers, tissues papers, newspapers
…….

11. Current Situation The European printer market
20.000
40.000
60.000
80.000
Enterprises
persons employed
Production in bill EUR ? ?

12. Current Situation The European printer market

13. Why the Ecolabel
It is recognised across Europe/internationally. This makes it easy for you to sell your certified products across the continent
The EU Ecolabel adds value to your business. It shows your customers and the end users what your product stands for
Environmental performance
Employees/Consumer Health Safe
Good Quality, High performance

14. Why The EU Ecolabel Benefits
Improve your company image: Environmentally responsible
Differentiate your products
Competitive Advantage
Access to marketing events/on-line catalogue
Retain Customers/Employees loyalty
Gain new customers
Image has become very important – Most people don‘t want to buy produts from a company with bad reputation
Your products stand out and are greener not just because You use “green“ names
Both the above increase the competitve edge
Employees are proud and customers glad: The company must communicate the Ecolabel work, results and what it means

15. Why The EU Ecolabel Benefits
A tool for GPP
Stay ahead of the competition – meet public sector environmental purchasing demands
Expand your market – do business with public authorities across Europe
Reduce the burden of responding to public tenders – use the Flower as an easy proof of environmental compliance
Put your products on a short list
A Tool in other areas: CSR, Env. Management, LCA
Gain new customers
Save money and time in the long run

16. GPP Purpose: Green Public Procurement (GPP)
Is a process whereby public authorities seek to procure goods, services and works with a reduced environmental impact throughout their life cycle.
Public Procurement accounts for 17% of EU wide (GDP) Gross Domestic Product equivalent to 2 trillion Euros
In 2008 the EU Commission adopted a communication on GPP which is a part of of SCP (Sustainable production an consumption) Action plan.
Purpose:
Encourage a more sustainable use of natural resources
Establish behavioural changes for sustainable consumption and production
Drive innovation

17. GPP
GPP an important process in The European Commission’s “Europe 2020 strategy” (For smart sustainable and inclusive growth)
Continuous work on making GPP easier for Public Procurers.
GPP Training Toolkit
“Buying Green” Handbook: How to implememnt GPP, Procurement process, selection etc.
Factsheet on GPP and the EU Ecolabel
Ready made Criteria: Uniform throughout the member states
This means that the procurers
No expert knowledge required
Fully compatible with the principles of the international market
Easy identification: E-catalogue shows how many companies can comply

18. GPP and the Ecolabel
Under the EU procurement law,Type I ISO , Ecolabels may be used in Pubic purchasing as
A source of environmental criteria (In the specific ations and award phases)
A form of verification (Showing compliance)
Provided a number of Conditions are met . A procurer may not state that products should be certified with an Ecolabel etc.
Product and service groups covered by the European Ecolabel
Cleaning products, Appliances, Paper Products, Home and garden, Clothing, Tourism
Lubricants
GPP status in Finland
NAC in place, Sustainable procurement accepted by government 2009
Goals: State organisations: 70% GPP by 2010, 100% by 2015
Municipalities: 25% by 2010, 50% by 2015
Helpdesk, monitoring
Swan and Flower in GPP for printed paper products
Swan criteria cover the whole facility wheras the Flower covers the specific product group ???
EU dimension ???

19. Examples of GPP in Denmark
Public sector: There are 97 municipalities: 16% of GNP, 270 billion DKK
Hospitals, municipalities, ministries, post, police, army etc.
Set requirements for products: Technical,
Quality, environmental, etc. Offer a Tender
Award criteria %: Price = 50/60% Environment = 15% (changing constantly)
Elderly care has about 60,000 employees: All denim for these employees must adhere to Flower criteria
Around 80% of all cleaning products and services procured in Denmark are certified by an ISO type I Ecolabel. CO2 reduction of 43%. Cost reduction of 3%
There is a network for GPP consisting of municipalities
The Competent Body is active and offers consultancy services for GPP
Special situation regarding printed paper for household advertising
Tariff of DKK 3 for every kilo household advertising DKK 4 in 2014
Reduction of DKK 2 for every kilo

20. Examples of retailers and companies choosing certified products
Retailer chains and progressive companies: Want to be seen as Environmentally concerned
The Retail Forum: Launched 2009 – support SCP/SIP Action plans – Includes some of the biggest chains
We Buy Certified: A network of companies in Denmark that buy certified products
Ecolabelled products: Benefits for Retailers/Customers
Easy to choose a product
Environmental
Health
Quality

21. Information
Official EU Ecolabel website of EU Commission
E-catalogue with all products, hotels and camp sites – for consumers
National EU Ecolabel website with EU Ecolabel information e.g.:
EU Ecolabel helpdesk:
EU Ecolabel Newsletter (2x yearly in EN, FR, IT) and news alert downnload or subscribe (no charges)

22. Thank you for the attention
The EU Ecolabel makes it easy to choose green!
Bucharest
Sense for your Company
Responsibility to the Environment