Ecolabels are voluntary product labels intended to show consumers that a product has been produced or performs to environmentally friendly standards. There are many different environmental performance labels that are used around the world – the Ecolabel Index website [1] currently lists 429 logos in 217 countries. The large number that have appeared since businesses have realised that, amongst growing consumer concern for the environment, these labels are a good marketing tactic, has led to some confusion about what they mean [7]. Below are some ecolabels commonly seen on products in Europe and the UK, with the general criteria the products have to meet to be awarded the label.
The EU Ecolabel
According to DEFRA [2], this ecolabel, which is backed by all EU governments, is “the premier European award for products and services which meet the highest environmental standards”. It covers various product groups such as cleaning, clothing, household products, furniture, gardening and many more, which can be found on the EU Ecolabel website [4].
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) label
This label is used on timber and other wood-derived products, such as paper, and indicates that they have been produced to high social and environmental standards. Companies use the label to show that buy buying their product, consumers are not contributing to destruction of the world’s rainforests [5], as the FSC label guarantees that trees that are harvested are replaced or allowed to regenerate naturally [6]. There may be additional information on the label, for example that 100% of the material has come from well-managed forests, or that it is from mixed sources.
Rainforest Alliance logos
The Rainforest Alliance certifies within the agricultural and forestry (accredited by the FSC, see above) sectors and verifies within the forestry, tourism and forest carbon sectors worldwide, to show that establishments and their products and services are economically and environmentally sustainable [11].
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) sustainable seafood label
This label can only be awarded to seafood that has come from fisheries certified by the MSC. This means that they have been independently assessed and certified as sustainable, so that their impact on the environment is minimal. It only applies to wild-capture fisheries, not fish farms [9].
LEAF Marque
Linking Environment and Farming promotes environmentally responsible farming in the UK and the presence of their logo on food confirms that it has been produced according to these principles. LEAF standards are reviewed regularly in collaboration with various organisations including, among others, the RSPB, the RSPCA, DEFRA, Natural England and the Environment Agency. A certificate covers the whole farm where the food is produced [8].
Soil Association Organic Standard label
This is awarded to farms and businesses that meet the organic standards of the Soil Association. Soil Association Certification is a not-for-profit organisation and the UK’s largest organic certification body. The Soil Association symbol on product guarantees that it meets the highest standards of sustainability and quality [10].
Energy Saving Trust Recommended logo
This label certifies that products across seven sectors (appliances, consumer electonics, IT, lighting, heating, insulation and glazing) covering 32 product categories have undergone a rigorous certification process and are the most energy efficient in their class. By awarding this logo, the Energy Saving Trust aims to reduce CO2 emissions from the household sector and direct consumers to the most efficient energy saving products on the market [3].
Waterwise Marque
This is awarded annually to products which reduce water wastage or raise the awareness of water efficiency in the UK [12]. Product groups cover bathroom, kitchen, outdoor, toilet and miscellaneous products.
ESW has handpicked a selection of the best products from several of the most energy and resource efficient ranges on the market, view this range in our store.
[1] Big Room Inc, 2011. http://www.ecolabelindex.com/
[2] DEFRA, 2011. http://ecolabel.defra.gov.uk/
[3] Energy Saving Trust, 2009. http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/business/Business/Energy-Saving-Trust-Recommended/About-the-scheme
[4] European Commission, 2011. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/ecolabelled_products/product_categories_en.htm
[5] FSC, 2011a. http://www.fsc-uk.org/?page_id=5
[6] FSC, 2011b. http://www.fsc-uk.org/?page_id=11
[7] GEN, 2011. http://www.globalecolabelling.net/what_is_ecolabelling/
[8] LEAF, 2010. http://www.leafuk.org/resources/000/557/691/LEAF_Marque_Global_standard_ver_9.0_2010.pdf
[9] MSC, 2011. http://www.msc.org/about-us/standards/standards
[10] Soil Assocation Certification Ltd, 2011. http://www.sacert.org/
[11] The Rainforest Alliance, 1987-2011. http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/certification-verification
[12] Waterwise, 2011. http://www.waterwise.org.uk/reducing_water_wastage_in_the_uk/house_and_garden/the_waterwise_marque.htmlf
