69
Institutional Issues For each product group, criteria have to be developed and
fi xed. The criteria development is carried out in an open participatory process, e.g.
by boards, committees, panels, expert groups representing different economic and
social interests (e.g. trade, industry, consumer and environmental organisations).
However, the fi nal decision on requirements has to be taken by an institution independent from manufacturers and their interests. The fulfi lment of the requirements
has to be proven by a third-party verifi cation procedure. Having passed the requirements, applicants receive the allowance to use the symbol of an eco-label scheme,
which is restricted to a predefi ned period of some years. This restriction is intended
to review the requirements and to update them, if needed, taking into account new
technological developments, new information and other challenges.
Target Groups Mainly private consumers.
Status Eco-labels have been in place since 1978, when the German Blue Angel
became the fi rst voluntary eco-label scheme worldwide, followed just over a decade
later (1989) by the Japanese Eco-Mark. Altogether, the labelling landscape has
become more and more complex, and also confusing. According to Ecolabel Index,
1
458 eco-labels in 197 countries covering 25 product groups exist: some are applied
to a vast range of product groups whereas others are restricted to a single and specifi c product group. Globally, providers of eco-label schemes co-operate in the
“Global Ecolabelling network” (see: http://www.globalecolabelling.net/ ).
Examples European eco-label “EU-Flower”, German Blue Angel, Scandinavian
“Nordic Swan”, Australian “Good Environmental Choice”, Japanese “Eco Mark
Program”, US “Green Seal” or the “Green label Thailand”.
3.1.2 Social Labels and Standards
Addressed Issues The consideration of environmental challenges is only one
challenge, but due to the increasing “length” and complexity of supply chains, to the
globalisation of markets and supply or production chains, and due to pressures from
stakeholders, the social features along the chain gain increasing importance. Beside
company and workplace related standards like ISO 26000 and SA8000, some labels
cover social issues such as ban of child labour, social rights, labour union laws, fair
prices, working conditions. However, a common international standard like the ISO
14020-series does not exist.
Institutional Issues The institutional characteristics depend on the requirements
label scheme, in general reliable labels are independent from business and request
an independent certifi cation of the fulfi lment of their requirements.
Target Groups Mainly private consumers, but also business and public
purchasers.
1 http://www.ecolabelindex.com/ (accessed March 5, 2015).
6 Life Cycle Management: Labelling, Declarations and Certifi cations…
Institutional Issues For each product group, criteria have to be developed and
fi xed. The criteria development is carried out in an open participatory process, e.g.
by boards, committees, panels, expert groups representing different economic and
social interests (e.g. trade, industry, consumer and environmental organisations).
However, the fi nal decision on requirements has to be taken by an institution independent from manufacturers and their interests. The fulfi lment of the requirements
has to be proven by a third-party verifi cation procedure. Having passed the requirements, applicants receive the allowance to use the symbol of an eco-label scheme,
which is restricted to a predefi ned period of some years. This restriction is intended
to review the requirements and to update them, if needed, taking into account new
technological developments, new information and other challenges.
Target Groups Mainly private consumers.
Status Eco-labels have been in place since 1978, when the German Blue Angel
became the fi rst voluntary eco-label scheme worldwide, followed just over a decade
later (1989) by the Japanese Eco-Mark. Altogether, the labelling landscape has
become more and more complex, and also confusing. According to Ecolabel Index,
1
458 eco-labels in 197 countries covering 25 product groups exist: some are applied
to a vast range of product groups whereas others are restricted to a single and specifi c product group. Globally, providers of eco-label schemes co-operate in the
“Global Ecolabelling network” (see: http://www.globalecolabelling.net/ ).
Examples European eco-label “EU-Flower”, German Blue Angel, Scandinavian
“Nordic Swan”, Australian “Good Environmental Choice”, Japanese “Eco Mark
Program”, US “Green Seal” or the “Green label Thailand”.
3.1.2 Social Labels and Standards
Addressed Issues The consideration of environmental challenges is only one
challenge, but due to the increasing “length” and complexity of supply chains, to the
globalisation of markets and supply or production chains, and due to pressures from
stakeholders, the social features along the chain gain increasing importance. Beside
company and workplace related standards like ISO 26000 and SA8000, some labels
cover social issues such as ban of child labour, social rights, labour union laws, fair
prices, working conditions. However, a common international standard like the ISO
14020-series does not exist.
Institutional Issues The institutional characteristics depend on the requirements
label scheme, in general reliable labels are independent from business and request
an independent certifi cation of the fulfi lment of their requirements.
Target Groups Mainly private consumers, but also business and public
purchasers.
1 http://www.ecolabelindex.com/ (accessed March 5, 2015).
6 Life Cycle Management: Labelling, Declarations and Certifi cations…