Ecolabel

An eco-label, often environmental labeling or eco-label is a certification mark that marks products and services that are environmentally friendly within a product group with respect to individual characteristics than others. Eco-labels are often voluntary and awarded by various institutions, associations or independent testing institutes.

Various eco-label

• The Blue Angel is awarded since 1977. He was the world's first eco-label.
• The Austrian Eco -label is awarded since 1990 by the Austrian Ministry of the Environment for an ever-growing range of product groups, services and businesses. The graphic design of the label comes from the Viennese artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser.
• The European Ecolabel Ecolabel has existed since 1992. The award is made on national bodies gGmbH Germany by the RAL.
• The Nordic Ecolabel has existed since 1989.

The Global Ecolabelling Network 27 organizations are members, awarded the eco-label.

Instrument of environmental policy

Eco-label can be an instrument of environmental policy. Credible Eco-label allow consumers with ecological preferences, specifically those needs better to buy the products. Companies that manufacture environmentally friendly products, so can gain a market advantage. Ecolabel as an incentive to develop eco-innovation and promote the diffusion of environmentally friendly products in the market.

However, voluntary eco-labels are relatively rarely used by innovative companies. A company survey found no evidence that voluntary eco-label had stimulates product innovation. For mandatory environmental characters such as the EU energy label, however, there are studies that prove an effectiveness.

Eco-label may be a complementary instrument of environmental policy. However, they are not considered a substitute for market-based instruments that directly promote innovation projects or regulatory instruments.

Standardization

The ISO has developed standards and guidelines for various types of eco-labels in their standard empires ISO 14000. ISO 14021 is a framework for environmental claims before, meet the vendors themselves for their products, they are referred to as Type II environmental label. Type I and Type III eco-labels are determined by third parties in respect of certain Sub- indicator, over the entire life cycle criteria. While Type I Eco-labels to testify that products in terms of the observed environmental characteristics are better quality (ISO 14024 ), meet Type III eco-label quantitative statements on the basis of environmental declarations (ISO 14025 ).

Typical environmental characters such as the Blue Angel or the EU Ecolabel are I Eco-labels in the rule type. Example of a Type III environmental label is the certification system of the German Society for Sustainable Building for building materials on the basis of environmental declarations of the Institute Construction and Environment.