Global trends in 'Eco-labeling and Green Purchasing behavior'

The Global Ecolabelling Network | www.globalecolabelling.net
Global trends in
Ecolabelling and Purchasing
Behaviour
Mr Bjorn-Erik Lonn
Chair, Global Ecolabelling Network
Type 1 Ecolabel Products Signify
Environmental Excellence
Key Attributes:
•Voluntary, market-based tools, based
on ISO 14024
•Lifecycle based approach
•Transparent criteria development
process
•Rely on independent (3rd party)
verification
•Multiple criteria
Provide confidence and
clarity in purchasing
decisions
•Win, win, win situation:
producers, buyers, and
the environment
•Enhance consumer /
buyer confidence

The Global
Ecolabelling Network
(GEN) Background
GEN is a Network of Type I
Ecolabelling Organizations
• Non-profit network established in
1994.
• Works to improve, promote, and
develop the ecolabelling of
products and services on a global
scale.
• Advocates for Type I ecolabels and
articulates distinctions between
Type I ecolabels and less credible
‘green’ marks.
• Helps government officials,
purchasers, retailers, and
consumers understand how
ecolabels can be used to develop
and advance sustainable
purchasing.
To educate and advocate for government,
industry, and consumer recognition of the
unique and important value afforded by
Type I ecolabelling programs.

Our Members
Europ
e
Oceani
a
South
America
North
America
Middle
East
Associate
Members:
Google
ISEAL Alliance
IGPN
Asia
Examples of Product Categories
Source: https://www.globalecolabelling.net/eco/eco-friendly-products-by-
category/

GEN’s Internationally
Coordinated
Ecolabelling System
(GENICES)
Purpose
• Address and allay concerns about trade barriers
• Make international certification more cost-effective
• Facilitate certification of products that have been
certified elsewhere
• Facilitate exports of environmentally certified
products
• Help new programs develop

Overview
• Peer review, information sharing process to verify
GEN members meet ISO 17065 and 14024
ecolabelling principles
• Multilateral approach toward mutual recognition
• Involves application, preliminary documentation
review, peer review, and site visit
• Assures members that organization has robust
procedures and processes
• Must undertake the GENICES process for Full
Membership every 5 years
Process
1. Expression of Interest
2. Scheduling
3. Submission of application
4. Evaluation of written
submission
5. Site-Audit
6. Audit Report
7. Conclusion of GENICES
Process

Developing Criteria & Standards:
Lifecycle Considerations
Life cycle considerations are
essential to consider when
establishing certification criteria
for a new product category;
consider:
•Environmental Relevance
•Controllability
•Measurability
•Accessibility
Material
Acquisition and
Processing
Manufacture
and Assembly
Use and Service
Recovery and
Disposal
Packaging and
Distribution
Life
Cycle
Assessment
Mutual Recognition
Agreements(MRA’s)

MRA Overview
A Mutual Recognition Agreement is an agreement of
cooperation between two or more parties regarding specific
activities. Many GEN members engage in MRAs for the
following reasons:
•Reduce barriers for organizations interested in certifying
products globally to facilitate market access for certified
products
•Negotiate joint activities around certification
•Harmonize criteria and test methods
•Agree to conformance to partner’s criteria for verification /
licensing
•Conduct joint research activities and information sharing
GEN Members MRA Survey 2016
Most Popular Joint
Initiatives:
•Agreements to promote
and award partner’s
ecolabel
•Information sharing
•Cooperation on standard
development
GEN surveyed members about their agreements in 2016. The following
information represents responses from 22 members.
Members identified more
than
40agreements of some type with
other GEN members

Conclusion
Conclusion
• GEN and all its members can be used as a reference to
help find environmentally sound building materials
• The lifecycle approach is the same as for EPD´s
• Issues considered for ecolabels are all issues of relevance,
including the climate factors
• Broad stakeholder involvement
• Conflict of interest avoided
• Quality management & assurance as basic
• Many ecolabelling organizations encourage agreements
such as MOUs or MRAs between programs to encourage
certification globally

Thank you !
• bel@ecolabel.no
For More Information: www.globalecolabelling.net

Global trends in 'Eco-labeling and Green Purchasing behavior'

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Global trends in 'Eco-labeling and Green Purchasing behavior'