Eco label introduction

Eco label

The EU eco-label (Eco-label) is also known as "Flower Mark", "Flower of Europe". In order to encourage the production and consumption of "green products" in Europe, the European Union introduced an eco-labeling system in 1992. It can be used as an authoritative certification.

introduce

Because the label is in the form of a small green flower, products that have received the eco-label are often called "applique products." After ten years of development, "applique products" have enjoyed a high reputation in the European market. This article aims to provide domestic companies with a comprehensive introduction to the EU's eco-label system, so that companies can have a comprehensive understanding of the system and provide a reference for companies to consider whether to choose eco-labels.

Legal social basis

In order to enable consumers in the European Union and the European Economic Area (EEA, including the European Union, Norway, Liechtenstein and Ireland) to recognize the "green products" officially recognized by the European Union, the European Union passed the No. EEC880/92 in 1992 Regulation No. issued an "eco-labeling" system. This regulation was further amended and supplemented by EU Regulation 1980/2000 in 2000, allowing traders and retailers to apply for eco-labels for their own brand products. The European Commission plans to evaluate and continue to improve the EU's "eco-labeling" system before September 2005.

The EU eco-labeling system is a voluntary system. The original intention of the EU to establish the eco-labeling system is to select, affirm and encourage the best in the field of ecological protection among various products, so as to gradually promote the manufacturers of various consumer goods in the EU to further improve the ecological protection, so that the products can be designed and produced. , Sales to use, and then the entire life cycle will not harm the ecological environment.

Use and supervision

The institutions of the EU member states that grant eco-labels have the right to spot-check the production workshops and products of manufacturers to ensure the authenticity of the environmental protection of the products. Generally speaking, eco-label granting agencies are obliged to help manufacturers promote the environmental protection features of their products to consumers. Once the products are labeled with eco-labels, manufacturers can contact the label granting agencies and ask them for marketing help.

The relationship between EU eco-labels and member states' eco-labels, and other environmental certifications

It should be pointed out that some member states of the European Union use their own "eco-labels" that are different from the EU's unified regulations. For example, Germany uses the "Blue Angel" logo and the Nordic countries use the "Swan" logo. In 2000, the EU stipulated in the supplementary regulations on eco-labeling that each member state can formulate its own eco-labeling system, but product selection standards and ecological standards should be consistent with the EU's eco-labeling system. The EU's eco-labels are also applicable in these countries, but in order to flaunt their pioneering status in environmental protection, countries such as Germany, their "Blue Angels" label covers far more products than the EU's eco-labels. From one perspective, Germany has become a pioneer and pilot in the formulation of EU environmental standards. Once an environmental standard for a product is formulated and implemented in Germany, it is very likely to be adopted and promoted by the European Union in the future.

If the company has obtained ISO 14001 certification or EMAS (European Union Eco-Management and Audit System) certification, it is easier for the company's products to apply for eco-labels, and can also get a 25% reduction in label usage fees. ISO 14001 and EMAS focus on the environmental protection requirements of the company's production, while the eco-label focuses on the environmental protection standards of a specific product of the company.