Ecolabels
Ecolabels are developed to support manufacturers and retailers in providing fact-based, verifiable and transparent product information to an expanding group of ethical and environmentally conscious consumers, enabling them to select and buy products and services that are less harmful to the environment.
Unfortunately the positive (and thus commercially interesting) image of ecolabels and the willingness of customers to pay extra for ethical products also paves the way to greenwashing malpractices! The market is flooded with all kinds of (eco) labels, from highly reliable (verifiable and transparent) to pure scams.
How to recognise a reliable ecolabel?
- RELEVANCE - the problem addressed by the label makes sense for both customers and companies
- CLARITY - the customer clearly understands what the label is about (no ambiguities)
- ACCESSIBITY - all information and data backing the label’s claim are easily accessible to both companies and customers
- FINANCIALLY VIABILITY - the related costs are affordable to both companies and customers
- IMPACT/EFFECT - the label contributes positively to solving the problem
- TRUSTWORTHINESS - the label inspires trust to customers, businesses and beneficiaries
Who issues the label and who checks its reliability?
Ecolabels are classified according to the category to which an organisation awarding the label belongs.
An important factor here is whether the external control is carried out by an independent (accredited) organisation.
OFFICIAL LABELS are managed by governments and controlled by external, independent (usually accredited) bodies. The accreditation guarantees the reliability and quality of the label. It is a voluntary system.
Examples: European ecolabel, Der Blauwe Engel, Nordic Swan
PRIVATE COLLECTIVE LABELS are issued by an industrial sector, a professional federation or an association considered to be independent of the producer. As with official labels, checks are carried out by external, independent (usually accredited) bodies and are voluntary.
Examples: EKO, Biogarantie, FSC, OEKO-TEX®, fair trade Max Havelaar
INDIVIDUAL, CONTROLLED PRIVATE LABELS are developed by the producer or distributor of a product, but are controlled by external, independent (usually accredited) bodies.
Examples: "Bio" or "Origin Assured" labelled branded products from mass merchandise chains.
INDIVIDUAL, NON-CONTROLLED PRIVATE LABELS are developed by the manufacturer or distributor of a product and are under his full responsibility. No external or independent checks are carried out.
Examples: Eco Linen, Pure Wear
Standards for Ecolabels
- ISO 14024, Environmental labels and declarations – Type I environmental labeling – Principles and procedures
- ISO 14021,Environmental labels and declarations – Self-declared environmental claims (Type II environmental labeling)
- ISO 14025, Environmental labels and declarations – Type III environmental declarations – Principles and procedures
- ISO 14026, Environmental labels and declarations – Principles, requirements and guidelines for communication of footprint information
- ISO/TS 14027, Environmental labels and declarations – Development of product category rules
Voluntary versus mandatory labels
Most ecolabels are voluntary
EU Ecolabel
A voluntary scheme designed to encourage businesses to market products and services that are kinder to the environment and for European consumers - including public and private purchasers.
OEKO-TEX®
A voluntary scheme designed to encourage the textile value chain to produce textiles without harmful substances in eco-friendly production plants and with respect of human and labour rights
Other ecolabels are mandatory
Producers of electrical appliances have to display a label containing an A–G rating (A is good, G is bad) showing its level of energy efficiency.
Contacts
Read more
Centexbel INFO 2020-08 "Ecolabels"
©Centexbel, 2020-08
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