Nordic Ecolabelling Nordic Ecolabel the Swan Reliable environmental

Nordic Ecolabelling

Nordic Ecolabel- the Swan Reliable environmental information Presentation: • What are Type 1 -ecolabels ? • Global spread • Nordic Swan • Characteristics of Type 1 -ecolabels • Position among consumers in Nordic countries Nordic Ecolabelling

Type 1 ecolabels based on ISO 14024 Key Attributes: • Voluntary, open, market-based tool. • Address multiple environmental criteria across the entire product life cycle. • Transparent, collaborative standard development process involving external stakeholders (e. g. NGOs, government, industry, academia, consumer groups). • Rely on independent verification of products or services to the standards/criteria sets. Nordic Ecolabelling

Global Ecolabelling Network(GEN) • Non-profit network of Type I ecolabelling organisations, established in 1994. • Working to improve, promote, and develop the ecolabelling of products and services on a global scale based on ISO 14024. • Advocate on behalf of Type I ecolabels and articulate the distinctions between Type I ecolabels and other, most often less credible ‘green’ labels. Nordic Ecolabelling

Members of the GEN Europe Middle East Asia North America South America Oceania Nordic Ecolabelling

Five countries - one ecolabel Nordic Council of Ministers Environmental Affairs The Nordic Ecolabelling Board Ecolabelling. Sweden Ecolabelling Denmark Ecolabelling Finland Ecolabelling Norway Ecolabelling Iceland Nordic Ecolabelling

The Nordic Swan • Official Established in 1989 by the Nordic Council of Ministers • International Encompasses all Nordic countries • Non-profit Financed with governmental support (1/4) and fees. All earnings are used to operate the organisation and information campaigns Nordic Ecolabelling

Ecolabelling characteristics Aims toward a sustainable society Voluntary system that uses marketing forces Stimulates consumers and producers Selective criteria Can be awarded to a product or a service Nordic Ecolabelling

Strict, but reachable criterias - continuously improvements • Strict and absolute requirements • Government regulation is basic, use of i. e. the precautionary principle • Defined documentation and controls with site audits • Limited validity of the licence • Only the best products can be labelled Nordic Ecolabelling

”The escalator” Level of requirement ver. 4 ver. 3 ver. 2 Specific requirement in ecolabel criteria ver. 1 Requirements of authorities Time Nordic Ecolabelling

Lifecycle approach – Communication of environment directly to the consumer Raw material Ingredients Production User phase Waste In November 2014: 8 -9, 000 ecolabelled products in 250 product groups (60 criteria and 2, 250 licenses) Nordic Ecolabelling

Groups of Product Categories Cleaning agents Paper products Office products Machines and devices Furniture and fittings Textiles Building materials Car articles Services (grocery shops, hotels, restaurants…) Nordic Ecolabelling

Top of Mind (in 2013) Nordic Ecolabelling

Trustworthiness (in 2012) 90 % 78 % 80 % 70 % § 60 % 52 % $ 50 % 40 % 30 % 20 % 10 % 0% Governments: "I trust the governments have banned hazardous substances in products available on the consumer market" Producers: " I believe a product is a good environmental choice if a producers guarantee it" Nordic Ecolabel: " I believe a swanlabelled product is a good environmental choice" Nordic Ecolabelling

Thank you ! Björn-Erik Lönn Senior adviser, international affairs, Nordic Ecolabel Director of the Board, GEN www. nordic-ecolabel. org www. globalecolabelling. net bel@ecolabel. no Nordic Ecolabelling