European Eco-label only sign of environmental quality recognised throughout Europe

The European Eco-label distinguishes products and services, such as tourist accommodation, that meet high standards of performance and environmental quality. For manufacturers and retailers the European Eco-label (the flower) gives added value to their products and competitive advantage in the growing market of greener goods and services.

For shoppers, the flower is a reliable token of environmental care. To be awarded the flower, products must pass rigorous compliance tests in a process verified by an independent, publicly accountable body. When buying a product, you are generally not informed about its impacts on health and environment:

• Does its production plant emit a lot of greenhouse gases into the air?

• Is there any allergenic substance in this product?

• How many pesticides were used to grow the cotton this shirt is made of?

The flower was created to provide clear information on the product's formulation and its effects on the environment, all over Europe. When you buy a flower-labelled product you know it meets certain criteria which guarantee it is the most environment-friendly on the market, and that it is at least as efficient as standard products.

Why have environmental labels?

Consumers have a major impact on the environment. The extent of this impact depends on how we choose to meet our needs. We can make a difference through buying greener products. Our demand for environment-friendly goods drives companies to create wares that:

- use less energy while performing as well as or better than other products;

- last longer through more durable design and availability of spare parts;

- are easier to recycle due to more thoughtful assembly and use of materials; and

- consume fewer natural resources (such as water and raw material).

Why the European Eco-label?

Many environmental labels exist, in Europe and elsewhere. Some of them focus on particular environmental concerns, such as recyclability, biodegradability or energy efficiency. Others are valid and recognised in specific countries only. Many green claims are placed on products by the manufacturers themselves with no independent verification of how they measure up.

The European Eco-label Scheme is a voluntary tool that promotes environmentally sound goods and services by awarding them with a distinctive symbol of environmental quality - the flower.

The label goes only to the most environment-friendly brands in each product group. The flower is a valuable tool to public purchasers, as it helps them identify green products. The European Commission has indicated that Eco-label products technical specifications should be used under the new Green Public Procurement directive. Alone among similar initiatives, the European Eco-label Scheme:

- is recognised throughout the European Union,

- requires product screening by an independent party; and

- assesses a product's total environmental impact, from extraction of the raw materials to eventual disposal (the 'cradle to grave' approach).

The label is available to:

- manufacturers and service providers;

- importers; and

- retailers with their own environment-friendly house brands.

The scheme covers 23 types of products and services (with the exception of food, drink and medicines), with further groups being continuously added. Among other things, the European Eco-label criteria address energy consumption, pollution and waste production. The flower makes it easy to choose green!

In 2003, the European Commission established criteria for tourist accommodation. This was not only the first service provision to be made available, but also the most successful to date. The European Eco-label signals environmental good performance as it is an added quality value when consumers are choosing a resort.

Enterprises bearing the flower logo have officially been distinguished as being among the most environment-friendly in their area. Last June, Hilton Malta was the first organisation in Malta to be granted the EU Eco-label award for tourist accommodation.

For the occasion, a representative of the European Commission DG Environment was in Malta.

The Green Store is the online catalogue of EU Eco-labelled products. You can find regularly updated information on the products available in Malta. You can access the Green Store at www.ecolabel.com.

The Malta Standards Authority is the competent body for the EU Eco-label Scheme in Malta. Further information can be obtained by contacting the MSA at fefarr@msa.org.mt.

Ing. Farrugia is chairman of the Malta Standards Authority and Malta representative on the EU Eco-label Board.