European Commission EU Ecolabel Helpdesk
Third Quarterly Report 20 September 2007
Contact BIO INTELLIGENCE SERVICE SAS Véronique Monier - Cécile des Abbayes Corentine Mazingue-Desailly – Tanja Muenchmeyer - Julia Vorburger Tel: +33 1 56 20 28 98 Mails: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
September 2007 EC – DG Environment EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report
Content
The EU Ecolabel Helpdesk has been managed by BIO Intelligence Service since January, 20th 2004. This report presents a summary of its activities from June, 21st 2007 to September, 20th 2007.
The first part, “Assistance to the Commission for Varied Communication Tasks”, presents the activities of the Helpdesk assisting the Commission for different communication tasks like answering enquiries, writing the news, etc.
The second part, “Implementation of the Promotion Action Plan” focuses on the marketing activities implemented by the Helpdesk from June, 21st 2007 to September, 20th 2007.
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 2 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report
Content
1. Part 1: Assistance to the European Commission for Varied Communication Tasks...... 4
Activities and Results of the Helpdesk ...... 5 1.1. Answers to the enquiries...... 5 1.2. The Flower newsletter...... 6 1.3. The E-catalogue...... 7 1.4. The news section of the eco-label web site ...... 11 1.5. The News alert...... 11 1.6. The Flower news...... 11 2. Part 2: Implementation of the Promotion Action Plan ...... 13
Introduction ...... 14 State of Implementation of Marketing Activities Scheduled for 2007 ...... 15 2.1. E-catalogue...... 16 2.2. information material ...... 19 2.3. Contact with stakeholders...... 21 2.4. Cleaning products...... 24 2.5. Textiles ...... 25 2.6. Assistance to the Marketing Management Group ...... 26 2.7. Flower Month 2007 ...... 26 Appendices...... 27
Appendix I: News ...... 28 Appendix II: News Alert...... 37 Appendix III: Flower News – May 2007...... 52 Appendix iV: New product group pages...... 57 Appendix V: Draft technical specifications code e-catalogue...... 59 Appendix VI: Soaps and shampoos fact sheet, and draft Heat pump fact sheet...... 65 Appendix VII: Text regarding the Helpdesk and the EU Ecolabel published on the website of the Salon des Maires ...... 70 Appendix VIII: Draft consumer info-quiz questions ...... 72 Appendix IX: Soaps and shampoos press release, Revision press release ...... 82 Appendix X: April MMG Minutes ...... 85 Appendix XI: Agenda for the September MMG meeting ...... 94 Appendix XII: Press kit for the 2007 Flower Month ...... 96
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 3 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report
1. Part 1: Assistance to the European Commission for Varied Communication Tasks
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 4 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report
ACTIVITIES AND RESULTS OF THE HELPDESK
1.1. ANSWERS TO THE ENQUIRIES
The Helpdesk received 63 enquiries from June 15th to September 17th 2007.
June 2007 (from the 15th): 15 enquiries July 2007: 21 enquiries August 2007: 22 enquiries September (until the 17th): 5 enquiries BIO answered 60 of them, as they dealt with marketing issues or the e-catalogue. The EC answered the rest. The enquiries were from people from the following countries:
14 from France 7 from Spain 7 from the United Kingdom 6 from Germany 4 from Italy 4 from country not precised 2 from Denmark 2 from Ireland 2 from the Netherlands 2 from Sweden 2 from Cyprus 1 from Australia 1 from Austria 1 from Canada 1 from Finland 1 from India 1 from Malaysia 1 from Morocco 1 from Portugal 1 from Russia 1 from Switzerland 1 from the USA A great number of enquiries were also made by phone.
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 5 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report
1.2. THE FLOWER NEWSLETTER
112 people were added to the Flower mailing list between June 15th 2007 and September 17th 2007.
The graph below presents the languages asked for:
Newsletter Languages
Spanish: 15
Italian: 18 English: 49
French: 21 German: 9
The Flower newsletter is available in 5 languages. These are: English, Italian, Spanish, French, and German as of April 2007.
The people added to the mailing list come from the following countries :
Nationality of the people added to the Flower newsletter
France 22 Italy 18 Spain 14 Germany 9 Greece 8 Unspecified 7 Portugal 5 The Netherlands 3 Belgium 3 USA 2 The United Kingdom 2 Sweden 2 Ireland 2 India 2 Cyprus 2 Thailand 1 Switzerland 1 Sri Lanka 1 Serbia 1 Poland 1 Mexique 1 Malaisia 1 Latvia 1 Denmark 1 Czech Republic 1 Bulgaria 1
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 6 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report
The people subscribing to the Flower news were systematically added to the EU Ecolabel News Alert (they have the possibility to unsubscribe if they wish so).
1.3. THE E-CATALOGUE
Hosting the e-catalogue The e-catalogue is hosted by Diogenius, a Belgian company, subcontractor of BIO for the duration of its contract. Maintaining the e-catalogue
63 new holders were added to the e-catalogue:
Company name Product group Country
Werner & Mertz All purpose and sanitary cleaners DE
Alcal All purpose and sanitary cleaners FR
Bollerup Jensen Saebefabrik A/S All purpose and sanitary cleaners DK
Nordisk Parfumerivarefabrik A/S All purpose and sanitary cleaners DK
LABO DE SOLUTIONS CHIMIQUES All purpose and sanitary cleaners FR LSC
Sutter Industries S.p.A. All purpose and sanitary cleaners IT
Johannes Kiehl KG All purpose and sanitary cleaners DE
Ecolab Gmbh & Co. OHG All purpose and sanitary cleaners DE
Sutter Industries SpA Hand dishwashing detergents IT
SAS Soprodis Hand dishwashing detergents FR
Johnson Diversey Hand dishwashing detergents DK
Solbat Srl Hand dishwashing detergents IT
Aquados Ltd Laundry detergents UK
ICEFOR SpA Laundry detergents IT
Solbat Srl Laundry detergents IT
Asia Fiber Public Co Ltd Textile TH
Greenville Trading Co Ltd Textile TH
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 7 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report
Thong Thai Textile Co Ltd Textile TH
Stufex Srl Indoor paints and varnishes IT
Colorificio Arco SpA Indoor paints and varnishes IT
B.B. Fabrication Renaulac Indoor paints and varnishes FR
Pintures M. Vich S.A. Indoor paints and varnishes ES
Vivechrom Indoor paints and varnishes GR
Georgia Pacific France Tissue Paper FR
Renova Tissue Paper PT
Panolin AG Lubricants CH
Florentaise Soil improvers and Growing media FR
Biolandes Pin Décor Soil improvers and Growing media FR
Rondine S.p.A. Hard Floor Coverings IT
Guldager Camping Camp sites DK
Camping Il Sergente Camp sites IT
Campeggio Valle Santa Maria Camp sites IT
Camping Aquileia Camp sites IT
Hotel Arcobaleno Tourist Accommodation/Service IT
Rautavaaran Kurssi – Metsäkartano Tourist Accommodation/Service DK
Legoland Village Tourist Accommodation/Service DK
Skagen Strand Tourist Accommodation/Service DK
Les Tourelles Tourist Accommodation/Service FR
Albergo La Fontanella di Bonapace Tourist Accommodation/Service IT Marco & C. Albergo Residenziale – Hotel Domus Tourist Accommodation/Service IT De Janas
Attico Turati Tourist Accommodation/Service IT
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 8 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report
Nuraghe Mannu di Sale Mario Tourist Accommodation/Service IT (Agriturismo)
B & B Casa R Tourist Accommodation/Service IT
Agriturismo Maso Corradini Tourist Accommodation/Service IT
Rifugio Alpino Pian delle Gore Tourist Accommodation/Service IT
Rifugio Alpino Don Barbera Tourist Accommodation/Service IT
Hotel Beverly Tourist Accommodation/Service IT
Hotel l’Oasi Tourist Accommodation/Service IT
Agriturismo Masseria Angiulli Tourist Accommodation/Service IT
B & B Monte Tesobo Tourist Accommodation/Service IT
B & B Al Ghiro Tourist Accommodation/Service IT
Malga Cimana (Fattoria) Tourist Accommodation/Service IT
B&B Domus Flavia Tourist Accommodation/Service IT
B & B Cappeler Tourist Accommodation/Service IT
Hotel Villa di Campo Tourist Accommodation/Service IT
B & B Cristina Tourist Accommodation/Service IT
B & B La Betulla Tourist Accommodation/Service IT
B & B Al Piccolo Barus Tourist Accommodation/Service IT
Rifugio Alpino Alpe Pozza “V. Lancia” Tourist Accommodation/Service IT
Hotel Scoiattolo Tourist Accommodation/Service IT
B&B La Casa delle Bambole Tourist Accommodation/Service IT
Hotel Tevini Tourist Accommodation/Service IT
Hotel Piz Galin Tourist Accommodation/Service IT
An email was sent to every new producer to inform him about the e-catalogue, and provide him with his user name and password to enable him to put online information about his company.
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 9 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report
Figure 1 – Example of promotional e-mail for the e-catalogue
The new holders were added to the address database for the dissemination of the Flower newsletter. During the same period, 11 companies lost their license and were withdrawn from the e-catalogue: HOTEL BETRIEBSGESELLSCHAFT (Danish Tourist accommodation); COGENT ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTION (Canadian producer of all purpose and sanitary cleaners); BEKAERT DECORATION TEXTILES (Belgian producer of textile); CARTOTECNICA SANTA CATERINA (Italian producer of copy paper); TRAFIKCENTER SAEBY SYD (Danish Tourist accommodation); HUMOSOL, SOMERGIE and TERRE ET NATURE JARDIN (French producers of soil improvers); JOSEPH HACOT (French producer of textile); LIDL-STIFTUNG & CO KG (German producer of tissue paper); VILLAGIO OLIMPICO (Italian tourist accommodation).
Statistics
Flower test 22 people have registered providing a user name and password in order to be able to log in the new web-based tool for applicants since June 15th 2007, which brings the total to 266 people. The 22 new users come from: − 9 are from a textile company from the following countries: the Netherlands (3), Hong Kong, France, Pakistan, UK, Sweden and Sri Lanka; − 5 from public authorities; − 2 from industrial activities;
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 10 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report
− 6 whose activity is not precised come from the following countries: India, Greece, Sweden, Italy, the Netherlands, Cyprus, France; − and 5 whose origin was not defined.
Statistics on the number of visits per month on the e-catalogue from February 2003 to August 2007 are presented in the graph below.
The average number of pages viewed per month in 2007 is 110 451. The average number of hits per month in 2007 is 523 531. NB: no statistics are available for September 2004 due to a computer crash at Diogenius at this moment.
Number of visits per month to www.eco-label.com
45000
40000
35000
30000
25000
20000
15000
10000
5000
0
3 3 5 6 6 7 04 04 05 05 06 07 005 006 007 200 20 20 2 2005 20 20 200 2006 20 2 2007 20 l 2003 2003 l 2004 t r i r 200 ry h y y 200 ry h y y 200 a ul be a ul Apr June 2003 tobe ruary 2004Apri June 2004 M J May July 2006 M J Marc ember 2005 March ember 2 Marc August 2003Oc cember Augus Janua vem January 200 Janua February e Feb ept ept D November S No S November
1.4. THE NEWS SECTION OF THE ECO-LABEL WEB SITE
The news for July, August, September 2007 are enclosed in Appendix 1.
1.5. THE NEWS ALERT
The June 2007, July 2007, and August 2007 News Alerts are enclosed in Appendix 2.
1.6. THE FLOWER NEWS
The first issue of the Flower News 2007 was released in May in English, Italian, Spanish, French and German; its content can be found in Appendix 3. For the next issue to be sent in November, the Helpdesk plans to include the following subjects:
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 11 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report
- Interview: Monika Wasilewska on GPP and the Flower - Report: Flower Month 2007. - Product Groups: New criteria for soaps and shampoos, and heat pumps. - Consumer’s corner: a new webpage with NGO quotes promoting the Flower (explaining to consumers the environmental advantages of choosing ecolabelled products). - News in brief: - The database of Green Suppliers - 2 workshops for soaps and shampoos - Increased Flower marketing activities for products throughout Europe. - On the web (to be specified): - new product groups pages (soaps and shampoos, heat pumps); - 2 new languages: Romanian and Bulgarian. - Agenda: new product groups / revisions.
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 12 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report
2. Part 2: Implementation of the Promotion Action Plan
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 13 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report
INTRODUCTION
This report follows our previous report presenting the Progress of the Implementation of Marketing Activities (June 2007).
This report presents the marketing activities undertaken in the mid-June – mid September 2007 quarter.
The activities planned for the fourth 2007 quarter (October – December) are also presented, in conformity with the 2007 Action Plan validated by the EC in February 2007.
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 14 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report
STATE OF IMPLEMENTATION OF MARKETING ACTIVITIES SCHEDULED FOR 2007
This table summarises the completed and on-going marketing activities for the July – September 2007 period. They are explained and commented in the following chapters.
Marketing Activities scheduled in 2007 When E-catalogue
■ Translations of both the front office and back office in the 2 languages of the new On-going EU Member States: Romanian and Bulgarian
■ Update the product group pages On-going ■ Updating the information related to holders and retailers Done ■ Rewriting the code of the e-catalogue On-going Information material
■ Production of the remaining product group fact sheets On-going ■ Production of print files for the translations of the fact sheets produced in 2005, 2006 and the consumer and purchaser leaflets in the two languages of the new EU Member States Cancelled
■ Production of print files for the translations of the new fact sheets and the ones updated in 2007 On-going ■ Printing of fact sheets and leaflets Done
Contact with stakeholders
■ Creation of a page dedicated to GPP on the e-catalogue On-going ■ Contact with Ms Jill Michielssen (in charge of GPP issues within the EC) Done ■ Preparation of the participation to the ‘Salon des Maires’ 2007 On-going ■ Create an interactive online quiz on the Flower On-going ■ Create a database of ‘green’ suppliers On-going ■ Create a page on the Europa website with quotes from NGOs On-going Cleaning products
■ PLMA Fair in Amsterdam on 22-23 May 2007 Done ■ Support to the promotion of the soaps and shampoos PG Done Textiles
■ H&M’s position towards promoting the Flower Done ■ Collaboration with Bestseller during the Flower Week Cancelled Flower Week 2007
■ Preparation of articles and a press-kit. Done
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 15 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report
Marketing Activities not scheduled in 2007 When ■ Green Week 2007 The DG ENV had a stand at the Green Week on 3-15 June 2007 in Brussels. A place was reserved on this stand for the EU Ecolabel. The EC asked the Helpdesk to be present on the stand during 5 days on 4-8 June and to do a presentation on the EU Ecolabel and GPP, or a general presentation on the Flower on the 4th of June. For this Done purpose, the Helpdesk updated the presentation “The use of the European Ecolabel criteria in Green Public Procurement approaches” done by the Helpdesk at the joint GPP-EU Ecolabel experts meeting in September 2006, and also modified a general presentation sent by the EC which had been done at the beginning of 2007 in Bucarest.
2.1. E-CATALOGUE
On-going Marketing Activities for 2007 When
■ A1 - Translations of both front office and back office into the 2 languages of the new EU Member States Description of the task It is important to make the e-catalogue available to all European consumers. In 2007, the Helpdesk will translate both front and back offices of the web site into the languages of the 2 new Member States: Romanian and Bulgarian. The front office is the public part of the web site, where consumers have access; the On-going back office is the private part of the web site, where holders and retailers can update/modify the information related to their products. Translations will be provided by the EC, and the Helpdesk will take care of the IT work. Status The EC has provided the translations to the Helpdesk and the work to put them online is on-going.
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 16 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report
■ A2 - Update of the product group pages Description of the task The e-catalogue includes pages presenting the different product groups, available from the “product categories” page. Considering that there will be 2 new product groups in 2007 (soaps and shampoos, heat pumps) and that 2 products groups will be revised (televisions, tissue paper), it is necessary to add and/or update the corresponding product group pages. The Helpdesk will produce an English version and CBs will be asked for translations. NB: Translations will be put online once all CBs have sent them. Note: If the votes for these criteria do not take place as planned, the budget will be reallocated to another activity after discussion with the EC. On-going Status The Helpdesk has produced an English version for the new soaps and shampoos and the new heat pumps product group pages. These pages have been validated by the EC and are currently being put online. CBs have been asked for translations and we are still waiting for their reply. The task is still ongoing. The English versions can be found in Appendix 4. The EC has also informed the Helpdesk that the revised criteria for televisions and tissue paper will not be voted before December. Thus the Helpdesk will see with the EC how the budget planned to update these pages can be reallocated.
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 17 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report
■ A3 - Updating the information related to holders and retailers Holders Description of the task For different reasons holders do not always make use of their personal access to their pages on the e-catalogue, which is provided by the Helpdesk when they are awarded the Flower, to complete the information related to their company and products. It is therefore necessary to regularly monitor the state of completion of the e-catalogue, send reminding emails to every holder for which information is missing, and finally call the ones who do not answer. The Helpdesk spent 4.5 days on this activity in 2007. This included contacting the CBs when the details of holders were not valid. Please note that the time allocated to this activity did not allow contacting all holders personally. Status The diagnosis of the state of completion of the e-catalogue by holders was fully updated. Following this, a personalised e-mail was sent to 241 holders reminding them of their login and password and asking them to update their pages. An e-mail has thus been sent to the corresponding CB asking for the proper contact details of holders when the existing ones were not valid. As a result, 6 companies were identified that were actually no longer certified and 14 others were registered with a wrong e-mail address. Finally, only 4 replies were received. Nevertheless, this number is not exhaustive insofar it was not planed to make a follow up and verify if holders had updated their information on the Green Store.
Retailers
Description of the task Done For retailers, the database was not completed at all, since information provided by CBs mainly consisted in tables with names of retailers and corresponding products (which already represents a lot of work). An email was sent in 2006 to the retailers on the database for whom we had contact details (56 out of 155 retailers) to offer them to have a personal login and password to directly update their pages. Because of a small amount of replies received last year, it was planned for 2007 to complete the contact detail database and to contact retailers. 5.5 days were dedicated to find the contact details and a further 9.5 to contact them in order to achieve good results. . Status The 5.5 days spent on updating the database did not include the phone calls and the time for sending reminding emails. As a result, today 167 retailers are registered in the e-catalogue. For 127 of them we have contact details, but only 86 of them gave us a direct contact name. Indeed, The Helpdesk experienced some difficulties in finding the relevant contact details (for example the environmental or marketing manager) because many of these companies are small retailers without a person in charge of environmental issues. The results of this task are moderate despite: - the Helpdesk having spent considerable time to call retailers (about 80). Most of them were not interested in registering ecolabelled products on the Green Store, because, from their point of view, it would require regular updates and a lot of time as they often change their brands/products. - the Helpdesk having sent an e-mail to each retailer for whom he had an address (more than 130). Only 5 retailers replied and asked for personal access to the Green Store.
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 18 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report
■ A4 - Rewriting the code of the e-catalogue Description of the task Today the e-catalogue web site is written in an old code language (ASP), in a non- dynamic way. This means that the 20 language versions of the Front Office (and by the end of the year 22) are actually 20 different web sites, accessible from the same home page www.eco-label.com. So every modification that needs to be done in the front office (update/addition of a page, modification of the layout) has to be done 20 times, which is costly and not very efficient. To avoid this, Active Up suggests entirely rewriting the e-catalogue code in ASP.NET, enabling to manage the site in a dynamic way. This means that the texts of each language version would be put in a database, and there would be one single web site, where pages in any language would be generated every time the user wants to see them. On-going Moreover, the new EU Eco-Label working plan foresees the possibility to further develop the e-catalogue by adding products awarded other eco-labels. If these 2 modifications were to be done, it would be better to do them simultaneously, in order to do economies of scale. So at this stage the Helpdesk will draw technical specifications for the rewriting of the code and ask estimates from different companies. After receiving the different offers, the EC will decide next year whether we should go along with the rewriting of the code of the e-catalogue. Status A draft version of the technical specifications for the rewriting the code of the e- catalogue has been produced and can be found in appendix 5. Following the EC’s approval of the required changes, the Helpdesk will obtain cost estimates.
2.2. INFORMATION MATERIAL
On-going Marketing Activities for 2007 When
■ A5 - Production of the remaining product group fact sheets Description of the task In 2005 the Helpdesk initiated the production of fact sheets describing the Eco-label criteria per product group, targeting producers and retailers. In 2007 this set of fact sheets will be completed with the new product groups (soaps and shampoos, heat pumps) and updated for the products groups being revised (televisions, tissue paper). They will be produced in English. Note: If the votes for these criteria do not take place as planned, the budget will be On-going reallocated to another activity after discussion with the EC Status The product group fact sheet for the new product group soaps and shampoos is finalised. For the product group fact sheet for heat pumps a draft has been produced and a logo designed. Only the quotation from Euroheat&Power is still missing, in spite of several reminding e-mails sent to the association. Nevertheless, they have confirmed their interest to participate. Both fact sheets can be found in appendix 6.
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 19 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report
■ A6 - Production of print files for the translations of the fact sheets produced in 2005 and 2006 and the consumer and purchaser leaflets in the 2 new official languages Description of the task Beginning 2007, the EC will translate the existing 24 fact sheets (all purpose cleaners, camp sites, detergents for dishwashers, footwear, general marketing brochure, hand dishwashing detergents, hard floor coverings, tourist accommodations, laundry detergents, paints, personal computers, portable computers, refrigerators, textiles, tissue paper, bed mattresses, light bulbs, dishwashers, washing machines, televisions, soil improvers and growing media, vacuum cleaners, lubricants, and copying paper) and the consumer and GPP leaflets into the 2 languages of the new member states: Romanian and Bulgarian.
These translations will be provided in Word format. In order to produce print files Cancelled (EPS and high resolution PDFs), it is necessary to transfer these translations to Illustrator1. This means to cut and paste all the text fields of a Fact Sheet from Word to Illustrator, adjust the design of the brochure to the various lengths of the texts in the different languages, do the layout, do the final check and produce the EPS, high and low resolution PDF files. This work will be done by an assistant end 2007 once the translations are available and a final check will be done afterwards. Status The EC has informed the Helpdesk that the translation services of the EC in Bulgarian and Romanian will not be able to produce the translations in 2007. This action is thus cancelled and the Helpdesk will see with the EC how the budget can be reallocated.
■ A7 - Production of the print files for the translations of the new fact sheets and the ones updated in 2007 Description of the task In 2007, the Helpdesk will produce two new product group fact sheets (soaps and shampoos, heat pumps) and will update the fact sheets for two new product groups (televisions, tissue paper). The Helpdesk plans to produce the print files of these fact sheets in the 21 languages of the EU-27 (except for Maltese). The EC will translate the two new product group fact sheets. For the two updated ones, the Helpdesk will see with the EC if the translation services of the EC can do it or if CBs will be asked for the On-going translations. Status The soaps and shampoos fact sheets have been done and will be sent to the EC for its approval after their conversion into Word format. Regarding the heat pumps fact sheet, the Helpdesk is still waiting for the Euroheat&Power quote as mentioned in A5. Concerning the update of the televisions and tissue paper fact sheets, no updates have yet been received.
1 It is possible to produce PDF files from Word documents, but these will be low resolution files, that printers cannot use.
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 20 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report
■ A8 - Printing of fact sheets and leaflets Description of the task The Helpdesk had planned a budget of 7,000 Euros for the printing of fact sheets in 2007. Status The EC has decided to reallocate this budget to the production of goodies, Done especially 100 flags and 100 glass plates for awarded tourism accommodation services and camp sites. Also, 1000 lanyards, 1000 pins, and 1000 post-its have been produced. The equivalent of two days work has also been taken from this budget for the participation to the Green Week 2007 which took place in Brussels on 3-15 June and where a person from the Helpdesk was present on the stand on 4-8 June.
2.3. CONTACT WITH STAKEHOLDERS
Public purchasers
On-going Marketing Activities for 2007 When
■ A9 - Creation of a page dedicated to GPP on the e-catalogue Description of the task In 2007 a page dedicated to the Flower and Green Public Procurement will be added to the e-catalogue www.eco-label.com in all language versions. This page will reproduce the similar page presently available in English on the official web site of the Flower (http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/whats_eco/gpp_en.htm). On-going Status A comparison of the text with the GPP leaflet was done in order to see what translations were missing. The CBs have been asked for the additional translations needed. Once all translations are received, the page will be made available online.
■ A10 - Contacts with Jill Michielssen (in charge of GPP issues within the EC) Description of the task The idea is to make the easy-to-use criteria documents for Green Public Procurement, which are being/will be produced by the EC, downloadable from the new page dedicated to GPP being created on the e-catalogue, if Ms Michielssen agrees. Done Status The Helpdesk has contacted Jill Michielssen on this issue who mentioned that the easy-to-use criteria documents would not be available before the end of the year (December 2007) in the best case, and more realistically in the beginning of 2008. The 1 day remaining budget has been reallocated to the presence of the Helpdesk at the Green Week on 4-8 June.
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 21 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report
■ A11 - Participation to the Salon des Maires 2007 Description of the task The “Salon des Maires” is a fair gathering almost 50,000 French elected representatives and local decision-makers, together with partners and suppliers specialized in the management and development of local communities. There are different thematic sectors, including “Environment and Energy”. This fair usually has important media coverage on TV, radio and the press. The Helpdesk will have a booth during 3 days at this fair to inform directly elected representatives on how they can easily implement green procurement if they use eco-labels. One person from the Helpdesk will be present on the stand, and the French CB will be invited to be present too. 20-22 November Status 2007 The Helpdesk has contacted French producers of detergents that hold the EU On-going Ecolabel to see if they would be interested in participating in the fair. Depending on their interest, they were proposed to give us samples of the EU ecolabelled products present on the French market for professional use or to financially participate to the cost of the stand having thus a special space for their products and brochures. Finally, the detergent producer PFC will be sharing the stand with the Helpdesk. Thus 2000 Euros of budget have been saved. The Helpdesk will see with the EC how this budget can be reallocated. A brief text has been registered on the Salon des Maires website to introduce the Helpdesk and the EU Ecolabel (Appendix 7). www.salondesmaires.com
Consumers
On-going Marketing Activities for 2007 When
■ A12 - Create an interactive quiz on the Flower Description of the task The Helpdesk will produce an interactive online quiz about the Flower, hosted on the Green Store web site, but available in all languages of EU-27, via a link on the 3 EU Eco-label web sites (Europa, Green Store and web site dedicated to tourism). This quiz will be very simple but nice, so that it can be as attractive to adults as to young people. There could be about 10 questions with multiple choices, and at the end the consumer would get its score out of 10 points. We will take inspiration from the work we did for DG Environment in 2002, for the production of the Environmental Toolkit for Citizens (Jiffy’s Eco-Quiz) - On-going http://ec.europa.eu/environment/toolkits/index_en.htm, though here for budget reasons no animation and no graphic creation could be made. However we can use the already existing photos and logos of the Flower, which should be sufficient to have a nice visual. The quiz will be produced in English in 2007. We will be in charge of the production of the interactive game. Status A draft version of the 10 multiple-choice questions as well as an explanatory text have been produced and await the validation from the CE. (Appendix 8)
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 22 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report
Potential holders
On-going Marketing Activities for 2007 When
■ A13 - Create a database of ‘green’ suppliers Description of the task The Helpdesk will create a database of such suppliers (=suppliers complying with the EU Ecolabel criteria related to raw materials (eg fragrances and surfactants for detergents, fabrics for textiles, “green” chemicals for lubricants, etc.), which will be available for download from the EU Eco-label official web site (and from CBs web sites if they wish so). On-going Status After building a database with the information at its disposition (answer from Dutch CB and contacts made at fairs), the Helpdesk has contacted the companies concerned to get their firm confirmation that they do comply with the Ecolabel criteria related to raw substances, and to ask for permission to mention them on the list downloadable from the Ecolabel website. Once the answers have been received the Helpdesk will compile a final list and send it to the Commission for validation.
NGOs
On-going Marketing Activities for 2007 When
■ A14 - Create a page on the Europa web site with quotes from NGOs Description of the task It is very important to have support from NGOs, because consumers trust them, sometimes more than they trust public authorities. The EEB (European Environment Bureau) and the BEUC (Bureau Européen de l’Union des Consommateurs) participate to the elaboration of the Flower criteria, and support it, however not always very pro-actively for budget reasons and also because they (EEB) feel that the criteria for some product groups are not strict enough. On-going A web page will be added to the Europa web site with supportive quotes from NGOS. We will provide the EC with the text of this page. Status After having drawn a list of NGOs and their contact details, 57 NGOs have been contacted (most of them over the phone). For the time being we have received 21 quotes from 10 NGOs (after sending 2 reminding e-mails and calling them back several times) and we are still in contact with 5 NGOs.
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 23 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report
2.4. CLEANING PRODUCTS
Marketing Activities for 2007 When
■ A15 - Participation to PLMA fair in Amsterdam on 22 and 23 May 2007 The Helpdesk had a booth at the PLMA fair, in order to continue the promotion of the Flower towards retailers and SMEs producing cleaning products for private Done brands. The full report on this activity can be found in appendix 8 of the 2007 second quarterly report.
■ A16 - Support to the promotion of the soaps and shampoos product group The Helpdesk has prepared a press release which was sent to CBs for use when the decision on this new product group was published. As suggested by the Done Helpdesk and agreed by the EC, two press releases were finally produced: one on soaps and shampoos, and one on the revision process. The press releases can be found in appendix 9.
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 24 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report
2.5. TEXTILES
On-going Marketing Activities for 2007 When
■ A17 - H&M’s position towards promoting the Flower Description of the task
H&M does not communicate a lot towards consumers about his award for the moment. Their strategy as of May 2006 was to wait until 2007 to see if the Flower led to an increase of their sales of baby garments, and then decide about the renewal of their license. However an H&M store participated in the Flower Week 2006 in Finland.
The idea of the Helpdesk on this issue was that it would really be a pity to miss this communication opportunity, at least because the potential increase in the sales of baby garments without communication about the Flower certification is uncertain. So the Helpdesk worked on figuring out the position of H&M towards the Flower, at first by contacting CBs who were in contact with them. So the Helpdesk contacted the Finnish CB, as well as the Swedish CB and Danish CB to have more information concerning the communication of H&M towards the Flower. Status Done The Finnish CB explained that the decision to participate in the Flower Week 2006 was made in the Finnish division by the marketing manager Kirsi Räikkönen (who is now moved on to a higher position in H&M, UK). During the Flower Week every H&M customer buying ecolabelled baby clothes received a brochure containing information about the Flower handed out by the cashier. The Finnish CB designed and printed these brochures. Their point of view is that they agree to participate in such campaigns if you ease the work for them. Since the head office of H&M is in Sweden, the Helpdesk contacted the Swedish CB who is not aware of H&M’s position towards marketing the Flower. The Danish CB, who awarded H&M with their licence, explained that H&M had been contacted prior to the Flower Week campaigns but had not wished to participate. The two main reasons are: - officially: H&M has only a small range of products which are ecolabelled and they argued that doing a huge information campaign on the Flower may cause questions as to why not all of their products have the Flower; - not officially: the fact of having signs in their stores does not fit into their store concept. The Danish CB also pointed out that they would be publishing a new licence in April concerning Bestseller, also a big textile retailer (until then this news is confidential). Bestseller is very enthusiastic about the Flower and is planning a European-wide campaign. They have been asking how the ‘EU Ecolabel team’ could help them on this. They would very much appreciate to feel the support of the ‘EU Ecolabel team’ in some way, such as some time spent to help them coordinate the campaign in the different countries. On account of the above, the Commission decided that the budget planned for this activity should be reallocated to the same type of activity but with Bestseller (see next page).
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 25 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report
■ A18 - Collaboration with Bestseller during the Flower Week Description of the task The marketing action plan foresaw the possibility to collaborate with H&M during the Flower Week. However after discussion with the EC, it was decided to collaborate with Bestseller instead (for the reasons stated previously in A18). A good idea would be to offer them to set up Flower stands in 2 or 3 stores where Flower ambassadors such as the CBs would inform customers about the environmental and health benefits of EU Ecolabelled garments, and distribute Cancelled information material, or to help them coordinate a campaign between the different countries where their stores are present. Status Having been introduced to Bestseller by the DK Competent Body, the Helpdesk has offered the company our support in communicating about their Ecolabel license. Bestseller have expressed their general interest in this kind of cooperation, however not at this point. The Helpdesk will propose the EC other budget allocation possibilities.
2.6. ASSISTANCE TO THE MARKETING MANAGEMENT GROUP
The minutes of the April MMG meeting are enclosed in appendix 10. The agenda of the next MMG meeting which will be held in Brussels on 25 September 2007 is enclosed in appendix 11.
2.7. FLOWER MONTH 2007
The Helpdesk will collaborate with the EC and the MMG for the Flower Month 2007, in order to produce and disseminate information about the various scheduled actions. After sending numerous reminding emails to CBs asking for a detailed summary of the activities planned during the Flower Month 2007, the Helpdesk produced a press kit in English about the event which was sent out to the CBs of the participating countries. The press kit includes general information on the EU Ecolabel, its history, the revision process, statistics, as well as the purpose of the Flower Month. The press kit is enclosed in appendix 12. In addition, it was planned that the Helpdesk distributes information to NGOs and consumer organisations in order to support communication about this event. In order not to interfere with the CBs’ communication plans, the Helpdesk preferred to ask them if they would send out this information themselves (by giving them a list of organisations, the press pack and the planning of the activities). Some CBs have already answered and decided to translate the information for a more efficient communication. The Helpdesk also produced a special issue of the web News Alert presenting the activities planned in the different participating countries (see Appendix 2).
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 26 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report
Appendices
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 27 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report
APPENDIX I: NEWS
JULY, AUGUST, AND SEPTEMBER NEWS 2007
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 28 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report News for July 2007
European Ecolabel awarded to the first tourist accommodation in Finland
On 14 June 2007, the EU Ecolabel for tourist accommodation services was awarded by the Finnish Competent body to "Metsäkartano Resort" in Rautavaara, Finland license n. FI/25/1.
Metsäkartano, a nature tourist centre surrounded by hilly forests, lakes and rivers and an all-year- around holiday, training, meeting, seminar and youth camp jamboree resort is the first tourist accommodation in Finland to receive the EU Flower as recognition of their long-span work for environmental improvements. The management and personal of Metsäkartano have especially invested time and resources in increasing the use of sustainable energy sources, in reducing water and energy consumption and in waste management and recycling. Meals are made of organic food and of locally grown products. All areas of sustainable development – preserving the cultural heritage, conserving nature diversity, eco-efficiency and social interaction – are taken into account in the activities of Metsäkartano. All activity programs focus on nature and make full use of the adventure and exploration that only a true nature wilderness can offer. The programmes of youth guidance camps take special notice in environment education and increase of nature awareness.
The award ceremony was held in Metsäkartano, Rautavaara, which is located nearby the Tiilikkajärvi national park within Kainuu and northern Carelia in the county of northern Savo, less than 2 hours drive from Kuopio. The performances of two young Carelian folksingers and the Rautavaara Youth Circus completed the joyful award ceremony. TV and radio reporters were present and the news was then broadcasted several times in Eastern Finland regional radio and twice in regional news in TV2 of the Finnish television.
Metsäkartano, Mannor House and the EU Flower flag Information about the EU Ecolabel in the reception lobby of Metsäkartano resort
Mrs. Leena Nyqvist-Kuusola, the representative of the MD Jari Korkalainen hangs the certificate on the wall Finnish CB, hands out the EU Flower certificate to Mr. Jari Korkalainen, the Managing Director of Metsäkartano, Rautavaara
Great interest for the Flower at workshop on CSR in Greece
On the 30th of May, the Hellenic Network for the Corporate Social Responsibility, in cooperation with the Association of the Greek Corporations, organized a workshop, the first in Greece, for the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Both conferences and exhibition stands were part of the event. The Greek Minister of Finance, the Mayor of Athens and representatives from the European Directorate General for CSR were invited to support with their presence and speeches the workshop.
The EU Ecolabelled tourist accommodation Sunwing Resort Kallithea was invited to have a stand at the event where they were able to present their experience with the Flower to all participants that might be interested. The stand was very successful as it was full all the time. The interest the participants showed for the Flower scheme and Sunwing Resort Kallithea's presentation was indeed very strong. EU-Flower promotional material for tourist accommodation were all taken by them.
Conference room
Themis Kriara, Environmental coordinator of Sunwing Hotels in area east, gives information to visitors
The Green Week
The DG ENV of the European Commission had a stand at the Green Week in Brussels from 4-15 June 2007 in the Parc du Cinquantenaire. Information about the EU Ecolabel as well as EMAS, ETAP and European Business Awards was available. The Flower was particularly well represented with a great number of samples from various product groups: detergents, textiles, hard floor coverings, paints, etc. These samples caught the eye of visitors and raised interest among them. Also, a person from the EU Ecolabel team was present each day on the stand to give more details to visitors and promote the Flower.
For more information about this event, visit the website: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/greenweek/home.html
News for August 2007
Conference in Italy about the new Soaps and Shampoos product group
On the 15th of June 2007, UEAPME (European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) in cooperation with Ferrara University, organised a seminar on the opportunities the EU Ecolabel offers to the soaps and shampoos sector.
For the second year running, more than 120 participants (fabricants, retailers and scientists), including representatives of European companies, came to gather information about the ecological criteria for the award of the European Ecolabel.
UEAPME, APAT (Italian Agency for Environmental Protection and Technical Services, Competent Body for the EU Ecolabel) and Ferrara University presented the new Ecolabel criteria for soaps, shampoos and hair conditioners and the related calculation methods.
One of the biggest issues for soaps and shampoos is the performance test, a point which was clarified by Mr. Gatti, from Neotron laboratory who presented the Consumer Test’s methodology and questionnaire.
The two sponsors of the event, the companies Allegreni and Kroll, explained why they are applying for the EU Ecolabel for their product ranges. Thereafter, Mrs. Pietrogrande, teacher at the Chemistry Department of Ferrara University, spoke about a highly relevant and groundbreaking study on pharmaceuticals and personal care products in cities’ wastewaters.
Finally, Ricardo Anucinsky, in charge of the AIAB organic cosmetic brand, spoke -also in the name of Ecocert France- about the similarities between the “ecological” certification, provided by the EU Ecolabel, and the “biological” certification provided by different institutions in Europe. Presently, European institutions are working on the harmonisation of different protocols; one of the main advantages of this harmonisation lies in the implementation of the rigorous scientific approach of the EU Ecolabel.
The organisers will meet again next year to evaluate the results obtained.
Fabrizio Zago, UEAPME, technical expert for detergent Participants from different countries and organisations and cosmetics issues, speaking about the EU Ecolabel
UNEP’s new project on “Enabling developing countries to seize Ecolabel opportunities”
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has launched a new project on enabling developing countries to seize ecolabelling opportunities. The first Steering Committee meeting was held in Paris in July 2007. The meeting was a first opportunity for all partners to share experiences and discuss responsibilities, and it revealed great enthusiasm worldwide for the project.
Partners from Brazil, India, China, Kenya, Mexico, South Africa, Germany as well as representatives of the European Commission, and the Global Ecolabelling Network attended the meeting.
The formal launch of the project, involving European and target countries’ stakeholders will be organized in Bonn, Germany, in the first week of December 2007.
The project aims at increasing the number of export products from target countries eco-labelled with the EU Eco-label or other European countries' eco-labels as well as at developing a roadmap in the direction of mutual recognition of eco-labelling schemes.
Co-funded by the European Union and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) (Germany) and coordinated by UNEP's Sustainable Consumption and Production Branch, this four-year project involves China, India, South Africa, Brazil and Mexico. They are five rapidly emerging economies (or ‘anchor’ countries). Kenya is the sixth country participating in this initiative. Preliminary product groups chosen by country partners include textiles for India and South Africa, footwear for Mexico and Kenya, electronic appliances for China and paper for Brazil.
For more information, please contact Silvia Ferratini at [email protected] or visit the website below. Link: UNEP's work on Eco-labelling
Attendees of the 1st Steering Committee meeting in Paris
Watch out for the Flower Month!
An EU-wide promotion campaign of the EU Ecolabel will take place in the Czech Republic, Denmark, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Romania and Spain (Murcia), from mid-September to mid-October 2007. Various activities will take place in the different countries, such as workshops to present the criteria, collaboration with NGOs and retailers, distribution of information leaflets during events, press activities, consumer tests, Internet-based campaigns, etc.
The complete programme of the Flower Month will be presented in next issue of the EU Ecolabel News Alert!
News for September 2007
Watch out for the Flower Month!
The European Flower Month is about to be launched! The European Ecolabel's special promotion campaign will be held in several countries across Europe from mid-September to mid-October 2007.
The seven participating Member States (Czech Republic, Denmark, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Romania, and Spain – Murcia region) are now in the starting blocks for this active month dedicated to the European Ecolabel. Activities range from seminars to competitions run through web sites, magazines and media campaigns. The Competent Bodies are acting as the national project managers and activities vary according to local priorities. However, the focus will be on dialogue activities. A key characteristic of the campaign is the active involvement of partners such as Consumer Associations, NGOs, retailers, tourist associations, tour operators, Federations, public authorities and universities.
Leaflets and flyers about the “Flower” will be distributed by retailers. Cooperation with retail chains, in order to make ecolabelled goods more visible to consumers, will be undertaken in some countries, such as Denmark, the Czech Republic and Italy where consumer associations will hand out copies of a guide to products and services that have received the Ecolabel award. Different interactive competitions with consumers will also be organised. For example, in Latvia, internet users are invited to take part in a competition called “Find the EU Flower!” where entrants need to find products available on the Latvian market bearing the EU-Flower.
Several countries are also organising seminars - in Denmark these are for employees of the most environmentally friendly/active municipalities. Italy has chosen to focus on sustainable production and consumption as well as campsite services. For its part, Malta plans to hold a seminar for tourist accommodation with the objective of going through the Application Pack to explain in detail how it should be completed. The Czech Republic will concentrate its efforts on the public sector by holding 2 workshops: one for teachers who will receive games and educational materials for children; and one for civil servants about green public procurement. Finally, Murcia will organise a conference, targeting the Furniture sector, where different communication materials will be distributed to attendees.
To support these events, many press activities and communications are scheduled in all participating countries. In Denmark, where the campaign targets teenagers, deodorants and hair styling products will be tested in cooperation with the consumer magazine “Tænk”. There will also be an on-line contest on the Ecolabel.dk special campaign site, and the production of comic and/or thought-provoking videos. In Italy, two guides will be published: Italian ecolabelled products and services in the "Guide Verde & Naturale 2008" and the special guide for awarded products and services available online and downloadable from the websites of participating retailers, Consumer Associations and all Environmental Protection Agencies. Press releases on the main activities and advertisements in the specialist press will also be made in Denmark, Murcia and Romania as well as communications on their websites.
For more details, please contact the national Competent Body organising the campaign. Contact details can be found at: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/tools/competentbodies_en.htm
European Ecolabel: Italy leads the way in environmental tourism
In Italy, tourist accommodation awarded with the European Ecolabel has increased steadily and almost doubled in June and July (from 30 to 57).
Twenty-four tourist accommodation services were certified in June and July, thus bringing to 52 the total amount of Italian facilities awarded the Ecolabel. Three new camp sites were also presented with the award by the Italian CB, making a total of 5 camp sites.
And this is not all: the numbers will continue to increase in the near future as there are currently 39 applications under assessment!
This can be explained by an increasing interest in Italy thanks to promotion activities carried out locally by the Environmental Protection Agency and thanks to financial incentives used, by some Local Authorities for renovation activities to increase environmental efficiency.
For instance, the Piemonte Region, the leading region in Europe for the number of tourist accommodation service licenses, has now been overtaken by the Trentino-Alto Adige Region thanks to special projects for environmental efficiency in tourist accommodation partially financed by the Province of Trento.
Furthermore, Green Public Procurement is becoming an increasingly strategic issue for the European Ecolabel and Public Authorities are more and more enthusiastic to support it as a tool for environmental improvement for products and services. This is also the case for services, where Public Authorities are planning incentives for sustainable tourism projects or want to label their own tourist accommodation.
The pictures below show some recently certified tourist accommodation services and camp sites.
The Hotel Villa di Campo in Lomaso (TN) The campeggio Valle Santa Maria in Capoliveri (LI)
The rifugio Alpino Alpe Pozza “V. Lancia in The Hotel Tevini in Commezzadura (Trento) Trambileno (Trento)
The Hotel Scoiattolo in Andalo (TN)
Bestseller is awarded the Flower for a selection of children’s clothes
Bestseller is a Danish family-owned clothing company with 12 brands sold in 39 countries all over the world.
Concerned about the effects of its products on humans and on the environment, Bestseller has a code of conduct which sets out basic requirements which include environmentally-friendly production which their suppliers must respect. Since April 2007, the company has gone one step further and has had a selection of its children’s clothing from the “Newborn” and “Name It” collections certified with the European Ecolabel.
Bestseller has chosen the Flower because it offers the guarantee that use of harmful chemicals is limited and that the influence on the environment during production is minimised. Indeed, the Flower looks at every aspect of the product from manufacturing to disposal and also offers a great opportunity to provide customers with a recognisable label that tells them that their clothes are good both for their children and for the environment.
Lotte Voldby Drejer from the marketing team, tells us that Bestseller is “continuously working on extending the range of ecolabelled products” and expects to get ecolabelled products on the “EXIT” brand in the near future, as well as introducing more ecolabelled products for the “Name It” collection.
With this label, the company is expecting to see an increase in the demand for environmental children’s clothing that takes into consideration both health and good quality.
For more information, please visit the websites: http://www.nameit-newborn.com/ or http://www.bestseller.com/
APPENDIX II: NEWS ALERT
JUNE, JULY, AND AUGUST 2007
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 37 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report
June, 2007 Issue 18 More information Green Store Contact Subscribe
IN THIS ISSUE
Promotion of the Flower at the PLMA Fair The European Ecolabel had a stand at the PLMA fair in Amsterdam on 22-23 May and met about 60 manufacturers and retailers. This event brings important target group for the European Ecolabel. (more…)
Sustainable tourism stand at the international tourism fair of Catalonia The 16th edition of the International Tourism Fair of Catalonia was held in Barcelona on 19-22 April where the European Ecolabel was represented to raise awareness of tourism qualification systems. (more…)
European Ecolabel awarded to the smallest tourist accommodation in the EU In April, the EU Ecolabel awarded a spacious one-bedroom, in a 1900s restored apartment, with a large terrace in view over Rome. (more…)
Statistics/New Holders In June 2007, 12 new companies were awarded the Flower, 12 holders extended their range for a total of 57 new ecolabelled products. (more…)
Agenda (more…) FULL ARTICLES
Promotion of the Flower at the PLMA Fair
The European Ecolabel had a stand at the most recent edition of the PLMA (Private Label Manufacturers Association) fair in Amsterdam on 22 and 23 May. With more than 3000 exhibit stands of manufacturers of private retail labels and buyers from main European retailers visiting the show, the PLMA fair brings together important target groups for the European Ecolabel.
Mrs C. Mazingue-Desailly from the Helpdesk met about 60 manufacturers and retailers during the two days of the fair. Manufacturers were mainly detergent and tissue paper producers but also producers of “raw materials” that can be used in the formulation of ecolabelled products such as fragrances. The European Ecolabel stand Some textile producers were also interested in having the Ecolabel.
Most of the companies met were interested in the EU Ecolabel. It is becoming more and more important to show one’s environmental excellence. Others wanted to have the latest update on the development of the Flower. Many companies were interested in the new soaps, shampoos, and hair conditioners product group which is very promising for the future of this new product group!
Producers of products not covered by the EU Ecolabel scheme, such as cotton pads, diapers and wet wipes also showed interest in having an ecolabel for their products.
Samples of EU Ecolabelled products on the stand
More information on the PLMA can be found at: http://www.plmainternational.com/
Sustainable tourism stand at the international tourism fair of Catalonia
The 16th edition of the International Tourism Fair of Catalonia was held in Barcelona from 19th to 22nd April 2007. Different kinds of stakeholders from the tourism sector were represented at the Fair, for example, regional and international official organizations, tourist accommodation companies, travel agencies, training services and food organizations.
For the second year running, the Catalan Competent Body together with Tourism of Catalonia had a stand to raise awareness of tourism qualification systems. Brochures about the European and regional eco-labels and the Emblem of Guarantee of Environmental Quality, were handed out. The Fair enabled visitors, consumers and tourism suppliers alike, to come into contact with the ecolabel systems and
Tourist qualification systems stand ecolabeled tourism accommodation was also promoted.
European Ecolabel awarded to the smallest tourist accommodation in the EU
In April 2007, the EU Ecolabel for tourist accommodation services was awarded by the Italian Competent body to "Attico Turati" in Rome, license n. IT/25/56. The structure, located in the centre of the city, consists of a one-bedroom apartment and can host a maximum of 3 persons. Just a few steps away from the Termini station, the recently restored apartment is on the 7th floor of a building belonging to the early 1900s. It is composed of a living room, a spacious kitchen, a double bedroom, a bathroom and a large green terrace with a view over Rome’s rooftops. The owner wanted to experience how to run a business in an environmentally sustainable way.
View of the terrace View of the bedroom
Statistics/New Holders In June 2007, the Italian company “Cartiera Verde Ligure S.r.l” has changed its name into “Cartiera Verde Romanello S.p.A” and has incorporated the company “Converting Santa Catarina S.p.A”, another Italian Ecolabel holder for the Hard Floor Coverings product group. Moreover, 12 new companies were awarded the Flower and 12 holders extended their range for a total of 57 new ecolabelled products.
All purpose and sanitary cleaners: Nordisk Parfumerivarefabrik A/S (DK); Werner & Mertz (DE); Alcal (FR); Bollerup Jensen Saebefabrik A/S (DK); Ets Pollet sa (BE) extension
Campsites: FDM Camping (DK) extension
Detergent for dishwasher: Linossier (FR) extension
Hand dishwashing detergents: Spado SA (FR) extension; Sutter Industries SpA
Indoor paints and varnishes: J Colors SpA (IT) extension;
Stufex Srl (IT); Vivechrom (GR)
Light Bulbs: Super Trend Lightning Ltd (HK) extension
Textiles: Asia Fiber Public Co Ltd (TH); Thong Thai Textile Co Ltd (TH); Greenville Trading Co Ltd (TH)
Tissue Paper: Trascarta SpA (IT) extension
Tourist Accommodation/Service:
Hotel Arcobaleno (IT) Rautavaaran Kurssi – Metsäkartano Legoland Village (DK) (FI)
Agenda and other issues The Flower will have a stand at the International Leading Trade Fair for Caravaning “Caravan Salon Düsseldorf” from the 24th of August to the 2nd of September in Germany. The first day is reserved exclusively for trade visitors and representatives of the media. Some 500 international exhibitors from the sectors Caravans, Camper Vans, Tents and Camping Accessories as well as Tourism are expected. For more information about this event, visit the website: http://www.messe-duesseldorf.de/caravan/en/ba_factsfigures.html
Click HERE to subscribe via e-mail with subject 'SUBSCRIBE EU Ecolabel News Alert'. To unsubscribe via e-mail with subject 'REMOVE EU Ecolabel News Alert', click HERE.
July, 2007 Issue 19 More information Green Store Contact Subscribe
IN THIS ISSUE
European Ecolabel awarded to the first tourist accommodation in Finland The Finnish Metsäkartano Resort, surrounded by hilly forests, lakes and rivers, has been awarded the European Ecolabel in June after a long-term work for environmental improvements. (more…)
Great interest for the Flower at a workshop on CSR in Greece Organized by the Hellenic Network for the Corporate Social Responsibility in cooperation with the Association of the Greek Corporations, the first workshop in Greece had a great success. (more…)
The Green Week The Flower had a stand last month at the Green Week in Brussels were visitors could see samples of ecolabelled products. (more…)
Statistics/New Holders In July 2007, 11 new companies were awarded the Flower and 14 holders extended their range by a total of 91 new ecolabelled products. (more…)
Agenda (more…)
FULL ARTICLES
European Ecolabel awarded to the first tourist accommodation in Finland On 14 June 2007, the EU Ecolabel for tourist accommodation services was awarded by the Finnish Competent body to "Metsäkartano Resort" in Rautavaara, Finland license number FI/25/1. Metsäkartano, a nature tourist centre surrounded by hilly forests, lakes and rivers and an all-year-around holiday, training, meeting, seminar and youth camp jamboree resort is the first tourist accommodation in Finland to receive the EU Flower as a recognition of their long-term work for environmental improvements. The management and staff of Metsäkartano have especially invested time and resources in increasing the use of sustainable energy sources, in reducing water and energy consumption and in waste management and recycling. Meals are made of organic food and of locally grown products. All areas of sustainable development – preserving the cultural heritage, conserving nature diversity, eco-efficiency and social interaction – are taken into account in the activities of Metsäkartano. All activity programs focus on nature and make full use of the adventure and exploration that only true wilderness can offer. The programmes of youth guidance camps concentrate on environmental education and the increase in nature awareness. The award ceremony was held in Metsäkartano, Rautavaara, which is located nearby the Tiilikkajärvi national park within Kainuu and northern Carelia in the county of northern Savo, less than 2 hours drive from Kuopio. The performances of two young Carelian folksingers and the Rautavaara Youth Circus completed the joyful award ceremony. TV and radio reporters were present and the news was then broadcasted several times on the Eastern Finland regional radio and twice in the regional news in TV2 of the Finnish television.
Metsäkartano, Mannor House and the EU Flower flag MD Jari Korkalainen hangs the certificate on the wall
Mrs. Leena Nyqvist-Kuusola, the representative of the Information about the EU Ecolabel in the reception lobby Finnish CB, hands out the EU Flower certificate to Mr. Jari of the Metsäkartano resort Korkalainen, the Managing Director of Metsäkartano, Rautavaara
Great interest in the Flower at a workshop on CSR in Greece
On the 30th of May, the Hellenic Network for Corporate Social Responsibility, in cooperation with the Association of Greek Corporations, organized a workshop, the first in Greece, about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Both conferences and exhibition stands were part of the event. The Greek Minister of Finance, the Mayor of Athens and representatives from the European Directorate General for CSR were invited to support the workshop with their presence and speeches. The EU Ecolabelled tourist accommodation Sunwing Resort Kallithea was invited to have a stand at the event where they were able to present their experience with the Flower to all interested participants. The interest the participants showed for the Flower scheme and Sunwing Resort Kallithea's presentation was very strong.
The Conference room
Themis Kriara, Environmental coordinator of Sunwing Hotels, giving information to visitors
The Green Week
The DG ENV of the European Commission had a stand at the Green Week exhibition in Brussels from 4-15 June 2007 in the Parc du Cinquantenaire. Information about the EU Ecolabel as well as EMAS, ETAP and European Business Awards was available. The Flower was particularly well represented with a large number of samples from various product groups: detergents, textiles, hard floor coverings, paints, etc. These samples caught the eye of visitors and raised their interest. Also, a person from the EU Ecolabel team was present each day to provide further information to visitors and promote the Flower. The European Commission would like to thank all those license holders who kindly provided samples of their ecolabelled products for this event.
For more information about this event, visit the website: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/greenweek/home.html
Statistics/New Holders In July 2007, 11 new companies were awarded the Flower and 14 holders extended their range for a total of 91 new ecolabelled products.
All purpose cleaners and Cleaners for sanitary facilities: Novamex (FR) extension
Copying and Graphic papers: UPM-Kymmene Corporation (FI) extension
Hand dishwashing detergents: Chimiotechnic (FR)extension; Johnson Diversey (DK) SAS Soprodis (FR)
Indoor paints and varnishes: Blanchon (FR), ICI Paints (FR), ONIP (FR), Sigma Kalon –Euridep (FR), Soficor Mader (FR), Somefor (FR), V33 (FR) extension; Laundry detergents: Novamex(FR) extension ; Aquados Ltd (UK)
Lubricants: Kajo-Chemie GmbH (DE) extension ; Panolin AG (CH)
Soil improvers and Growing media: Florentaise (FR)
Televisions: Sharp Electronics Ltd (UK) extension
Textiles: Novotex A/S (DK) renewal
Tissue Paper: Dalle Hygiène Kartogroup (FR) extension ; Georgia Pacific France (FR) Renova (PT)
Tourist Accommodation/Service: Skagen Strand (DK) Les Tourelles (FR)
Agenda and other issues
The Flower Month, an EU-wide promotion campaign of the EU Ecolabel, will take place in several EU member states from mid-September to mid-October. A special issue of the News Alert detailing the different scheduled activities per country will be sent next month.
Two workshops will be held in France (the 11th of September) and in Cataluña (the 11th of October) with the aim to inform soaps and shampoos producers about the new EU Ecolabel criteria for this product category. For more information, please contact the relevant Competent Body on http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/environment/ecolabel/tools/competentbodies_en.htm
Click HERE to subscribe via e-mail with subject 'SUBSCRIBE EU Ecolabel News Alert'. To unsubscribe via e-mail with subject 'REMOVE EU Ecolabel News Alert', click HERE.
August, 2007 Issue 20 More information Green Store Contact Subscribe
IN THIS ISSUE
All about the upcoming Flower Month 2007! Discover all the exciting activities planned in Spain, Denmark, Italy, Malta, Romania, Czech Republic, and Latvia. (more…)
Conference in Italy about the new soaps and shampoos product group The new soaps and shampoos criteria, officially published end July, were presented to the industry and other stakeholders. (more…)
UNEP’s new project on “Enabling developing countries to seize Ecolabel opportunities” The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has launched a new project on enabling developing countries to seize ecolabelling opportunities. (more…)
Statistics/New Holders In August 2007, 43 new companies were awarded the Flower among which 25 (!) tourist accommodations and 3 camp sites, 1 holder extended its range of products and one holders renewed its licence for two product groups. (more…)
Agenda (more…)
FULL ARTICLES
All about the upcoming Flower Month!
The Flower Month, an EU-wide promotion campaign of the EU Ecolabel, will take place in several EU member states from mid-September to mid-October. Below you will find a summary of the activities planned for each participating country. For more precisions, please contact the national Competent Body, organiser of the campaign. Contact details can be found at: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/tools/competentbodies_en.htm
DENMARK A networking and viral marketing campaign
Activities for the 2007 Flower Month will be focused during week 41. The campaign is oriented towards teenagers - especially youths who are ready to change their habits and to their parents. Therefore focus will be made on product groups that belong to the teenage universe: personal care products, electronics, teenage rooms (paint, mattresses etc.)
Main activities: - Co-operation with the consumer magazine ”Tænk” on tests of deodorants and hair styling products; - Seminar for employees in the most environmentally friendly/active municipalities in Denmark; - Co-operation with retail chains in order to make ecolabelled goods more visible to consumers; - Production of humoristic and/or thought-provoking audio visual spot (including seeding – possibly YouTube, MySpace, SecondLife and more).
Furthermore, huge press activities and communication are planned. Indeed, press releases on the main activities will be made. These will be accompanied by an on-line contest on the Ecolabel.dk special campaign site
ITALY
Different events are organised by the Regional Environmental Protection Agencies (ARPAT) at regional level in 16 regions. These will be accompanied by the distribution in selling points and by Consumer associations of 1 million copies of a special guide for awarded services and products.
Also partnerships for the different activities have been agreed with Consumer Associations, NGOs, retailers, tourist Associations and Federations and tour operators.
Other activities will include a seminar on sustainable production and consumption, taking place on the 14th of September at Sana fair (Bologna), and 2 Seminars on the European Ecolabel for campsite service, taking place on the 20th of September, Stresa (Verbania-Lago Maggiore).
All theses activities will be completed by communication to the media (radio, televisions, special magasines) and on the web site, press releases. Also, two guides will be made available: - publication of the Italian ecolabelled product and services in the Guide Verde & Naturale 2008; - special guide for awarded products and services available on line and downloadable from participating retailers’ web sites as well as from the Consumer Associations web sites and from all the Environmental Protection Agencies web site.
MURCIA (Spain)
The general objectives of the 2007 Flower Month activities are to raise awareness of the Flower scheme among the furniture industry. The aim is to let the furniture and bed mattresses manufacturers know the advantages of the two schemes, the ‘Flower’ and EMAS.
Different stakeholders involved: - Ministry of Environment - Environmental Regional Administration - AIDIMA, El Instituto Tecnológico del Mueble y Afines, Valencia, Spain - CETME, Centro Tecnológico del Mueble, Yecla, Murcia, Spain - Instituto Murciano para la Excelencia, Murcia, Spain - University of Murcia, Business Faculty, Marketing Department, Murcia, Spain
Main Activities: On the 9th of October 2007 a one day conference showing different issues, all of them being addressed to the Furniture sector, will take place. Economically speaking, this industrial sector is very important for the Murcia Region. Different communication material will be distributed to the attendees: leaflets and fact sheets on bed mattresses, EMAS and the EU Ecolabel.
This will be accompanied by many press activities and communication with articles and advertisements in local press and specialized press.
More information in the web pages of the Murcia region at: http://www.carm.es/neweb2/servlet/integra.servlets.ControlPublico?IDCONTENIDO=183&IDTIPO=140&RASTRO=c$m
LATVIA
In Latvia, focus will be made on Consumers (internet users) and Green Public Purchasers.
A competition “Find the EU Flower!” will be held. The Latvian Competent Body (LEGMA) web page on the Flower and some of mass media will be used to inform about this competition, aiming at discovering products available in Latvian market bearing the EU-Flower. A questionnaire will be available on the Latvian Competent Body web page (http://www.meteo.lv/public/ekomarkejums.html ). Participants will have to fill it in and send it back to the Competent Body. Special prizes are planned for the participants such as EU ecolabelled T-shirts.
More information at http://www.meteo.lv/public/ekomarkejums.html
CZECH REPUBLIC
The main activities planned are:
- Ekofilm Film Festival on 8-14 October in South Bohemia: Both ecolabels will be promoted with the distribution of information material, the organization of a workshop and press releases. An award ceremony for new holders is also palanned.
- Workshops: During the Flower Month, at least two workshops should be prepared. One will be destined to teachers who will then receive boxes with games and educational materials for children about ecolabelling and the ecolabels. The second one should be about green public procurement and thus destined to public agents responsible for public purchasing.
These activities will be accompanied by the distribution of information materials to producers and cooperation with retailers (such as TESCO) who will be provided with information materials, leaflets, etc. to promote the ecolabelled products on their shelves.
Furthermore, a competition for consumers, in collaboration with OFCR, which started in June and will continue until the 15th of September. The prize ceremony will take place during the Flower Month.
All available and relevant information about the Flower Month and ecolabelling will be published on the website of the Czech Competent Body.
ROMANIA
During the Flower Month, information events in Sibiu and Timisoara will take place and a press release will be sent out at the beginning of September.
MALTA
During the first week of October two half day seminars on the EU Ecolabel scheme for tourist accommodation are organised. The objective is to go through the Application Pack (compulsory requirements) and explain in detail the entries that have to be made. This hopefully will facilitate the filling of the Applications.
Conference in Italy about the new soaps and shampoos product group
On the 15th of June 2007, UEAPME (European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) in cooperation with Ferrara University, organised a seminar on the opportunities the EU Ecolabel offers to the soaps and shampoos sector. For the second year running, more than 120 participants (fabricants, retailers and scientists), including representatives of European companies, came to gather information about the ecological criteria for the award of the European Ecolabel. UEAPME, APAT (Italian Agency for Environmental Protection and Technical Services, Competent Body for the EU Ecolabel) and Ferrara University presented the new Ecolabel criteria for soaps, shampoos and hair conditioners and the related calculation methods. One of the biggest issues for soaps and shampoos is the performance test, a point which was clarified by Mr. Gatti, from Neotron laboratory who presented the Consumer Test’s methodology and questionnaire. The two sponsors of the event, the companies Allegreni and Kroll, explained why they are applying for the EU Ecolabel for their product ranges. Thereafter, Mrs. Pietrogrande, teacher at the Chemistry Department of Ferrara University, spoke about a highly relevant and groundbreaking study on pharmaceuticals and personal care products in cities’ wastewaters. Finally, Ricardo Anucinsky, in charge of the AIAB organic cosmetic brand, spoke -also in the name of Ecocert France- about the similarities between the “ecological” certification, provided by the EU Ecolabel, and the “biological” certification provided by different institutions in Europe. Presently, European institutions are working on the harmonisation of different protocols; one of the main advantages of this harmonisation lies in the implementation of the rigorous scientific approach of the EU Ecolabel. The organisers will meet again next year to evaluate the results obtained.
Fabrizio Zago, UEAPME, technical expert for detergent Participants from different countries and organisations and cosmetics issues, speaking about the EU Ecolabel
UNEP’s new project on “Enabling developing countries to seize Ecolabel opportunities”
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has launched a new project on enabling developing countries to seize ecolabelling opportunities. The first Steering Committee meeting was held in Paris in July 2007. The meeting was a first opportunity for all partners to share experiences and discuss responsibilities, and it revealed great enthusiasm worldwide for the project. Partners from Brazil, India, China, Kenya, Mexico, South Africa, Germany as well as representatives of the European Commission, and the Global Ecolabelling Network attended the meeting. The formal launch of the project, involving European and target countries’ stakeholders will be organized in Bonn, Germany, in the first week of December 2007. The project aims at increasing the number of export products from target countries eco-labelled with the EU Eco-label or other European countries' eco-labels as well as at developing a roadmap in the direction of mutual recognition of eco-labelling schemes. Co-funded by the European Union and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) (Germany) and coordinated by UNEP's Sustainable Consumption and Production Branch, this four-year project involves China, India, South Africa, Brazil and Mexico. They are five rapidly emerging economies (or ‘anchor’ countries). Kenya is the sixth country participating in this initiative. Preliminary product groups chosen by country partners include textiles for India and South Africa, footwear for Mexico and Kenya, electronic appliances for China and paper for Brazil.
For more information, please contact Silvia Ferratini at [email protected] or visit the website below. Link: UNEP's work on Eco-labelling
Attendees of the 1st Steering Committee meeting in Paris
Statistics/New Holders In August 2007, 43 new companies were awarded the Flower among which 25 tourist accommodations and 3 camp sites, 1 holder extended its range of products and one holder renewed its licence for two product groups.
All purpose cleaners and Cleaners for sanitary facilities: Almachimica S.r.l, Dianos S.r.l (IT), I.C.E.FOR S.p.A. (IT), Kiter S.r.l. (IT), La Casalinda S.r.l (IT), Pizzolotto S.p.A. (IT) renewal, Sutter Industries S.p.A. (IT)
Detergents for dishwashers: Danlind A/S (DK) extension
Indoor paints and varnishes: B.B. Fabrication Renaulac (FR), Colorificio Arco SpA (IT)
Growing media: Biolandes Pin Décor (FR)
Textiles: Beirholm Væverier (DK) renewal, B6 A/S (DK) renewal, S. Thygesen Fabrics A/S (DK) renewal, Niels Mikkelsen's Trikotage Fabrik A/S (DK) renewal, JOHA A/S (DK) renewal, Gabriel A/S (DK) renewal, Tytex A/S (DK) renewal, Kwintet Kansas A/S (DK) renewal, Kvadrat A/S (DK) renewal, J. Mørup Stof ApS (DK) renewal, Nybo Jensen Konfektion A/S (DK) renewal, Novotex A/S (DK) renewal, UTENOS TRIKOTAZAS AB (DK) renewal, Bloch & Behrens Wool (NZ) LTD renewal, Kentaur A/S (DK) renewal, H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB (DK) renewal, Jyden Workwear A/S (DK) renewal, ANKY A/S (DK) renewal
Camp sites: Guldager Camping (DK), Camping Aquileia (IT), Campeggio Valle Santa Maria (IT), Camping Il Sergente (IT)
Tourist accommodations: Albergo La Fontanella di Bonapace Marco & C. (IT), Albergo Residenziale – Hotel Domus De Janas (IT), Attico Turati (IT), Nuraghe Mannu di Sale Mario (Agriturismo) (IT), B & B Casa R (IT), Agriturismo Maso Corradini (IT), Rifugio Alpino Pian delle Gore (IT), Rifugio Alpino Don Barbera (IT), Hotel Beverly, Hotel l’Oasi (IT), Agriturismo Masseria Angiulli (IT), B & B Monte Tesobo (IT), B & B Al Ghiro (IT), Malga Cimana (Fattoria) (IT), B&B Domus Flavia (IT), B & B Cappeler (IT), Hotel Villa di Campo (IT), B & B Cristina (IT), B & B La Betulla (IT), B & B Al Piccolo Barus (IT), Rifugio Alpino Alpe Pozza “V. Lancia” (IT), Hotel Scoiattolo (IT), B&B La Casa delle Bambole (IT), Hotel Tevini (IT), Hotel Piz Galin (IT)
Hard Floor Coverings: Rondine S.p.A. (IT)
Hand dishwashing detergents: ICEFOR SpA (IT), Itasilva SpA (IT), La Casalinda (IT), Pizzolotto SpA (IT) renewal, Solbat Srl (IT)
Laundry detergents: ICEFOR SpA (IT), Solbat Srl (IT)
Agenda and other issues
The next meeting of the Marketing Management Group is planned on the 25th of September in Brussels.
Click HERE to subscribe via e-mail with subject 'SUBSCRIBE EU Ecolabel News Alert'. To unsubscribe via e-mail with subject 'REMOVE EU Ecolabel News Alert', click HERE.
APPENDIX III: FLOWER NEWS – MAY 2007
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 52 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report The Flower issue #01 / 2007 KH-AF-07-001-EN-C ISSN 1725-048X THETHE EUROPEANEUROPEAN ECO-LABELECO-LABEL news
Focus Report Product groups Consumers’ corner Facts & Figures News in Brief On the web Calendar
In this issue This edition of the Flower News Benjamin Caspar, Head Also in this issue: active promotion of the Flower in the of the EU Ecolabel Team at the European Commission, new Member States; presence of the EU Ecolabel at gives us an in-depth account of the revision process. numerous fairs; and increased marketing activities for the We report on how the Flower has been in full bloom for Flower throughout Europe. tourist accommodation services.
Focus Revision of the scheme
Benjamin Caspar, Head of the EU Ecolabel Team at more focused and robust in relation to environmental – Expanding the number of EU Ecolabelled the EC, reports back on the revision process. priorities. products on the shelves for consumers to choose from. Could you please remind us of the main basis/ What benefits/outcome will come out of the – Increasing stakeholder involvement in the decision- purpose of the EU Ecolabel Scheme? revision process? What are the likely proposed making process. From an environmental and business perspective, improvements to the EU Ecolabel scheme? – Proposing a package of measures aimed at the original ideas behind the voluntary scheme are: The Commission is planning to revise the scheme ensuring convergence and harmonisation with – To provide EU consumers with a life-cycle based fundamentally. The revision process follows several national ecolabelling schemes. environmental certification for products that they main objectives: – Creating a labelling system which meets the needs can really trust. – Improving the institutional set-up of the scheme to of Green Public Procurement, etc. – To give businesses the opportunity to use one label increase efficiency and develop more product – Ensuring more consistency between Commission for all their pan-European or global marketing. groups. instruments. – To set the EU benchmark for good environmental A major EU-wide marketing push to raise awareness performance. of the Ecolabel is scheduled once the scheme has As the large-scale evaluation study of the Ecolabel been revised. launched two years ago shows, these goals are still very valid and desirable. The results of the EVER study, evaluating the Ecolabel scheme, were published last year and What has the large-scale evaluation study shown? followed by a public consultation beginning At micro-level, the scheme has achieved its 2007. What will be the next step in the revision objectives and can significantly improve the process? Can you already say when it will be environmental performance of participating finalised? organisations. The scheme continues to grow The results of the internet consultation are now being steadily - sales of eco-labelled products now considered and added to the impact assessment of stand at more than € 800 million - but has not the scheme's revision. A new regulation is expected reached its full diffusion potential. This is partially to be agreed within the European Commission later due to the need to make it more business friendly, Benjamin Caspar, Head of the EU Ecolabel Team at the EC. in the year. Flower News, The European Eco-Label_issue #01 / 2007
Report Tourist accomodation services – the Flower in full bloom
Stakeholders in the tourism sector are showing great interest in the Flower. The tourist accommodation services product group has the greatest number of holders: 89 holders1, all in the space of 4 years! Also, less than two years after its adoption, there are already 22 holders1 for the campsite service product group.
Initiatives extend over Europe (Agency for the protection of the environment) by the ICBAN Partnership for the Special EU The European Commission is piloting a marketing mentions: “In Italy a lot of promotion and Programmes Body, is an organisation based on project throughout Europe dedicated to tourism communication has been carried out in the last few training and learning and dedicated to ecotourism which partly explains the number of holders years at regional level and now the number of and which is also designed to help tourist in Germany (7 camp sites and 2 tourist licensees is increasing faster and faster.” accommodation fulfil the criteria of the European accommodations1), Austria (7 camp sites and Other initiatives have also been developed, often with Ecolabel. Fourteen1 tourist accommodations were 7 tourist accommodations1), and Italy. European support: awarded the Flower in 2006 in Ireland and Northern Italy, with 27 holders, is the country with the greatest The Greenbox Network, a project partly financed by Ireland. number of holders in the tourist accommodation the European Union through its INTERREG IIIA product group. Ms Stefania Minestrini, from the APAT Programme in Ireland/Northern Ireland and managed 1. As of 4 April 2007.
Product groups
The criteria for the new soaps, shampoos and hair conditioners product group were approved in a vote in December 2006. The European Union Ecolabelling Board has extended the validity of the criteria for tissue paper, televisions, textile products, refrigerators, detergents for dishwashers, washing machines, dishwashers, indoor paints and varnishes, bed mattresses, copying and graphic paper and light bulbs.
Revisions indoor paints and varnishes, bed mattresses, for tissue paper are currently being considered by The French Competent Body is continuing its work copying and graphic paper and light bulbs will the Commission. on revising the criteria for textiles and bed mattresses be extended without change for a period of and the ad-hoc working group has held its third 18 months in a Commission Decision to be New product groups meeting.The vote on the revised criteria for televisions published shortly. The criteria on soaps, shampoos and hair is scheduled for December 2007. The revision of the criteria for indoor paints and conditioners were approved following a vote in The period of validity of the eco-label criteria for varnishes, which will include looking at new criteria December 2006. They should be published in the tissue paper, televisions, textile products, refrigerators, for outdoor paints and varnishes, will start in April Official Journal by May/June 2007. The criteria for detergents for dishwashers, and washing machines 2007 with the first ad-hoc working group. The first heat pumps will be the subject of a vote in April was extended for a period of 12 months without ad-hoc working group for the revision of the criteria 2007. The criteria for printed paper products are change by Commission Decision 2007/207/ for hard floor coverings is scheduled for September currently being considered by the Commission. The EC (L/92.16) of 29 March 2007. The period of 2007. This work will also include the development development of the criteria for wooden furniture is validity of the eco-label criteria for dishwashers, of criteria for soft floor coverings.The revised criteria on-going.
Consumers’ corner
Green Week 2007 Watch out for the Flower Week in Autumn 2007!
Linking in with the festivities for the 50th Following the success of the Flower Week anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, the European in 2004 and 2006, the campaign will be Ecolabel will be present at Green Week 2007 renewed in 2007. The dates of the official with a stand in a marquee in the Cinquantenaire Flower campaign will be extended from one Park in Brussels.The exhibition will be open from week to cover one month from mid-September 3 – 15 June 2007. to mid-October 2007.
Flower Week in Finland.
www.ec.europa.eu/eco-label/ http://ec.europa.eu/comm/environment/ecolabel
In Switzerland, the EU Ecolabel for tourist in the Czech Republic, Latvia, Malta, Cyprus and How can this success be explained? accommodation, whose introduction is supported Hungary. The Flower is seen as a good opportunity for by the Federal Office for the Environment, is now companies to increase their competitiveness and being offered as a new instrument by the Swiss to be visible nationally and internationally in fairs Tourism Federation (STV) for the promotion of quality and special guides. The main keys to its success in the Swiss tourism sector. There are currently are its visibility for companies, its good image, 6 holders1 of the Flower. good promotion and communication activities. The first edition of Ecorismo, a trade fair and forum STV Director, Judith Renner-Bach, comments: “With on eco-products and environmental solutions for the EU Ecolabel, an accommodation enterprise the hospitality business and tourism industries, communicates its respect for nature – both to its took place in France in 2007 and the Flower was guests and to its staff.A company awarded the Flower present.The great interest of this fair is that it brings has a label which is recognized throughout Europe together product suppliers and the hotel industry in – an area with a pool of 500 million consumers.” one place. By promoting the selection of regional products and The EU Ecolabel for tourist accommodation is the use of renewable resources, the label creates also now one of the most successful product competitive advantages across Europe for hotels and groups in the new Member States with 91 holders Les Orangeries, French EU Ecolabelled hotel. other types of accommodation.
Facts & Figures The EU Flower by Country * The EU Flower by Product Group *
Country | Number of Awards > TOTAL 398 Product Group | Number of Awards > TOTAL 398
Others Tourist accomodation services Others 46 40 Dishwashing detergents 89 United Kingdom 10 97 Italy 11 Laundry detergents Ireland 11 14 Tissue paper 18 Greece 16 Soil improvers 19 Sweden 17
Hand dishwashing 21 Austria 24 detergents 68 Textile products Camp sites 22 Spain 24 70
France All-purpose & Germany 31 sanitary clearners 38 52 58 Denmark Indoor paints / vanishes
* Number of holders as of 4th April 2007
Fourth quarter 2006 Alcal Chimie (FR) Laundry detergents Innvik Sellgren AS (NO) Laumas Ltd (LV) New Eco-label licenses and first quarter 2007 Werner & Mertz (DE) (extension) McBride SpA (IT) (extension) Nova Mosilana (CZ) Hotel Pension Hubertus (AT) Spado SA (FR) LOBIAL (FR) (extension) AB Ludvig Svensson (SE) Schlank-Schlemmer Hotel Chimiotechnic (FR) (extension) (extension) Kürschner (AT) All purpose cleaners and cleaners Brunel Chimie Derivés (FR) Fedrigoni Cartiere SpA (IT) (extension) Indoor paints and varnishes Salveco (FR) (extension/updated Jugendherberge Baden (CH) for sanitary facilities (extension) PT. Pindo Deli Pulp and Paper Mills ER-LAC (GR) (extension and renewal) references) Tissue Paper Hotel Topaz (PL) Choisy Laboratories (CA) PFC S.N.C (FR) (ID) Peintures Maestria (FR) (extension) Lobial (FR) SCA Hygiene Products AB (SE) Breesy Centre (IE) Kemika SpA (IT) (extension) UPM – Kymmene Corporation (FI) Blanchon (FR) (extension) Auchan (FR) (extension) Hill View lodge B&B (IE) Werner & Mertz (DE) (extension) Campsites ICI Paints (FR) (extension) Georgia Pacific Italia Srl (IT) Hazelfort House (IE) Tana Chemie GmbH (DE) (extension) Campeggio Arco Prabi (IT) Detergents for dishwashers V33 (FR) (extension) Lubricants (renewal) Clancy’s of Glenfarne (IE) A&B Laboratorios de Biotecnologia Campingplatz Holmernhof (DE) Chimiotechnic (FR) (extension) Somefor (FR) (extension) Kajo Chemie GmbH (DE) Dalle Hygiène Kartogroup (FR) Little Crom Cottages (UK) SA (ES) Camping Berau am Wolfgangsee (AT) McBride SpA (IT) (renewal and Alcro-Beckers (SE) (extension) Novance (FR) (extension) (extension) Corralea Activity Centre (UK) Salveco (FR) (extension) Paradise Garden Camping extension) Materis Paints Italia (IT) (change trade Binol Biosafe (FI) (extension) Arch House (UK), Ferienwohnung DALLI (FR) (extension) Kaumberg (AT) Linossier (FR) (extension) names and extension) Tourist accommodation Alpenfirn (CH) Chimiotechnic (FR) (extension) Camping Altgarge (DE) Jotun AS (NO) Televisions Best Western Monopole Métropole - Ferienart Resort Spa (CH) Quimicas del Vinalopo (ES) Camping Stadtwaldsee (DE) Hand dishwashing detergents Pinturas Dyrup (ES) Sharp Electronica Espana (ES) Strasbourg (FR) Kesch Hütte (CH) Lobial (FR) (extension) Höhencampingplatz Königskanzel Tana Chemie GmbH (DE) (extension) Allios (FR) (extension) Residence Belgicka (CZ) Lehrhotel des Auchan (FR) (DE) Chimiotechnic (FR) (extension) Berling (GR) (extension) Sharp Electronics Ltd (UK) Gîte du Charron (CH) Bundeslehranstalten für Salveco (FR) (extension/renewal) Naturcamping Langenwald (DE) Auchan (FR) Carmyco (GR) (extension/change (extension) Sporthotel Zaton (CZ) Tourismus (AT) Spado (FR) Camphotel OASA (CZ) Chimiotechnic (FR) (extension) trade names) Centro Didattica Ambientale (IT) Farm Jaun-Ievinas (LV) Novamex (FR) (extension/renewal) Seecamping Gruber (AT) Salveco (FR) (extension/updated Materis (FR) (extension) Textile products Agriturismo Bio Farm Cucchi (IT) Usmas Kempings SIA (LV) Net-Flore industrie (FR) Campingplatz Salzmann (AT) references) Brunel Chimies Dérivés (FR) Nile Linen Group (DK) Pineta Hotels Villaggio Albergo (IT) Turiviana – Turismo Imaos Alcal Chimie (FR) Lobial (FR) (extension) PNZ-Produkte GmbH (DE) VDS (FR) (change names) Hotel Caprice (IT) Laranjeira / Casa Melo Alvim (PT) Dr Schnell Chemie GmbH (DE) Copying and graphic paper Novamex (FR) (extension) Sigma-kalon Euridep (FR) Jules Clarysse (BE) Grand Hotel Masseria Santa Lucia Best Western Premier – Regent’s BFC (FR) Vipap Videm Krsko (SI) Net-Flore industrie (FR) Pinturas Monto SA (ES) Väveriet I Uddebo AB (SE) (IT) Garden Hotel (FR) Flower News, The European Eco-Label_issue #01 / 2007 KH-AF-07-001-EN-C News in Brief Active promotion of the Flower in the new MSs
Since the enlargement of the European Union in 2004 and competitions for consumers, etc. Even Romania, and in 2007, the new Member States have been active which only officially joined the EU on 1 January 2007, in promoting the EU Ecolabel with 17 holders already organised its first workshop on the Flower in February. in these countries. Estonia, Latvia, Hungary, Czech This workshop was followed by others and shows the Republic, Malta, Poland, Cyprus, and Slovenia have high interest from the public and media. Further organised active promotion campaigns by participating initiatives are planned in order to support firms who in the Flower Week or organising workshops, quizzes want to apply for the Flower. Workshop in Romania in February 2007. Contact your national Competent Body for more information on the activities: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/ tools/competentbodies_en.htm
BIT Milan, Reisemesse Essen, Reisepavillon Hannover, Promotion of the EU Ecolabel at numerous fairs Ecorismo in France.
The Flower continues to be present at numerous increasingfast, as shown by the interest aroused by fairs throughout Europe to reach different the presence of the EU Ecolabel at the Europropre stakeholders. Participation in the Salon des Maires Fair in March in Paris. The presence at these fairs in November 2006 in Paris was the opportunity shows that while many more people know the to explain how the use of the EU Ecolabel can Flower, there is a need for more specific information ease green public procurement which is in full on the scheme and the criteria. The promotion of expansion following the revised procurement the EU Ecolabel for camp sites and tourist act. The demand for more environmentally- accommodations continues with the presence of friendly products in the detergents sector is the Flower at different tourism fairs: ITB Berlin, EU Ecolabel stand at Europropre Fair.
graphic paper and tissue paper. Special focus is Increased Flower marketing activities for products throughout Europe put on the new soaps, shampoos, and hair conditioners product group. Activities targeting A marketing project for products is currently Poland, Slovakia, and Romania. The main product public purchasers are also scheduled. Efforts are ongoing in 13 countries of the European Union: groups targeted vary depending on the country being made on a European scale to help companies Austria, Greece, Hungary, Denmark, France, but cover a wide range of products from detergents wishing to apply for the Flower in the lubricants Czech Republic, Cyprus, Spain, Italy, Norway, and paints and varnishes to textiles, copying and product group.
On the web except 5. This has more than doubled since 2004 Results of the Eurobarometer Survey on awareness of the Flower where another survey carried out in the countries which had participated in the Flower Week showed A survey was conducted in the 25 EU Member that 11% of the EU population recognises what the an awareness level of 5% (except for Denmark States (note: Romania and Bulgaria were not label stands for.There are, however, wide discrepancies and Sweden which already had a higher awareness yet members of the EU) in the mid Nov-mid Dec between Member States. Indeed this percentage jumps level). 2006 period by the Eurobarometer on behalf of the to 24% in Finland followed by Greece (22%) and Full results of the survey can be found at EC to measure the level of awareness of the European Slovenia (18%). http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/marketing Ecolabel among European citizens. Results show This level of awareness is over 10% in all MS /marketingstudies_en.htm.
Calendar
Revision of product groups (scheduled adoption) New product groups Tissue paper still under consideration Heat pumps April 2007 Textiles End 2007 or early 2008 Wooden Furniture End 2007/early 2008 Bed mattresses End 2007 or early 2008 Printed matter still under consideration Televisions December 2007 Soft floor coverings 2008/2009 Hard floor coverings 2008/2009 Outdoor paints and varnishes 2008 Indoor paints and varnishes 2008
Subscribe to the EU Eco-label Email News Alert by sending an email to [email protected], The Flower entitled “Subscribe EU Eco-label News Alert”.
This news is published by the eco-label sector of the European Commission both in printed form and on the Internet http://ec.europa.eu/comm/environment/ecolabel/news/flowernews_en.htm
For a free subscription, comments or further information, please contact the Eco-label Helpdesk [email protected] fax: +33 1 58 46 09 95 c/o BIO Intelligence Service, 1 rue Berthelot, 94200 Ivry/Seine, France
Printed on paper awarded the EU Eco-label
APPENDIX IV: NEW PRODUCT GROUP PAGES
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 57 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report Product categories
Soaps and shampoos Print
The on soaps, shampoos and hair conditioners tells you…
Back
• The product meets strict limits on the use of dangerous substances.
• The product has a lower impact on the aquatic environment.
• The product sets high standards of biodegradability.
• The product limits packaging waste.
• The product has a high level of performance.
Product categories
Heat Pumps Print
The on heat pumps tells you…
Back
• The product has improved energy efficiency during heating and cooling
modes.
• The product reduces or prevents the risks for the environment and for
human health related to the use of hazardous substances.
• The product has a lower global warming impact.
• It contains instructions for correct environmental use.
APPENDIX V: DRAFT TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS CODE E-CATALOGUE
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 59 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report Rewriting the code of the e-catalogue
Technical specifications
The e-catalogue of the European Ecolabel is the website www.eco-label.com. It consists in a front office (at the address above) and a back office at www.eco-label.com/backoffice. The back office is accessible via a login and a password for the administrators and different users that will have access to the pages concerning their company and products. Both the front and the back office are currently available in 20 languages and two new languages are being put online in 2007. The purpose of the call for tender/these technical specifications is to simplify and improve the functioning of the website. To better understand these technical specifications and how the website works, please contact us and you will be given a personal login and password which will be valid throughout the duration of this call for tender. The following specifications are divided into two parts for which separate quotes are asked (the second part being different options). 1. Rewriting the code
Today the e-catalogue web site is written in an old code language (ASP), in a non-dynamic way. This means that the 20 language versions of the Front Office (and by the end of the year 22) are actually 20 different web sites, accessible from the same home page www.eco-label.com. So every modification that needs to be done in the front office (update/addition of a page, modification of the layout) has to be done 20 times, which is costly and not very efficient. To avoid this, we would like to entirely rewrite the e-catalogue code in ASP.NET, enabling to manage the site in a dynamic way. This means that the texts of each language version would be put in a database, and there would be one single web site, where pages in any language would be generated every time the user wants to see them.
2. Other changes to the website
With the development of the website (in the number of users and visitors) certain misfunctionings linked to the back office have appeared which we would like to change. They are presented below but first here is a quick summary of the purpose of the back office: The site www.eco-label.com lists all the companies and products which have been awarded the EU Ecolabel as well as certain retailers selling EU Ecolabelled products. A visitor on the site can do a search by product/service, producer/service provider, or retailer. The back office www.eco-label.com/backoffice enables the administrator to add new companies and products to the list. Each company receives a username and password to have access to their own pages where they can add, edit or delete information concerning their company and product.
2.1. PRODUCT ASSOCIATED TO A PRODUCER AND RETAILERS
When the website www.eco-label.com was created, only producers and products were entered in the e-catalogue. In 2005, a functionality to add retailers was added. Now in the FormProduct/Service, a product can either be associated to a producer OR to ONE retailer. Thus, if a product ‘alpha’ is produced by a producer A and sold by retailers B1, B2, and B3, we will have to enter the product four times (by using the link ‘Add a product/service’ in the menu) in order to associate it with each of the 4 companies! This is very time consuming, especially since it is not possible to enter twice exactly the same name of a product in the database. The way to proceed is thus to enter the name ‘alph’ for example the second time, then to use the link ‘Edit a product/service’, and then change ‘alph’ to ‘alpha’. Change need to be made In the Form Product/Service page, it should be possible to choose all at the same time one producer AND several retailers.
2.2. SIZE OF THE FIELDS
The number of characters which can be used to enter the name of a company, a product, a mail address, an internet website are limited and we can not always enter the full names or contact details. Change need to be made Increase the size of the fields to enter this information.
2.3. ADD/DELETE PICTURE
Companies are strongly encouraged to add their logo as well as pictures of their EU Ecolabelled products. However some do not choose the right picture or want to make try outs before eventually putting in a picture. It is possible afterwards to change a picture which has been uploaded by putting in another picture, but it is not possible to delete a picture without putting anything else in place. Change need to be made Possibility to purely delete a picture.
2.4. ADDITION OF A DAUGHTER COMPANY
When a company A producing EU Ecolabelled products P1, P2 and P3 logs on with its personal login and password, it has access only to its pages. This means that when the company chooses ‘Edit a company’ the only choice available is ‘A’, and when the company chooses ‘Edit (or delete) a product’ the only choices available are P1, P2, and P3. A company can also add a daughter company (D). However once this company D is added. If the company A chooses to edit product P1 to associate it to D, it is not possible. Indeed, once on the Form Product/Service related to P1, the only choice which appears in the database of the companies is A. Thus only an administrator, which has access to the list of all companies, can do the change. Change need to be made When a daughter company D has been added by a company A via its personal connection, each time the company A reconnects with its personal login and password, it should have access to the pages concerning the daughter company D, and automatically all products should be able to be associated to A or D.
2.5. IDENTIFICATION OF PRODUCTS AVAILABLE THROUGH FRAMEWORK AGREEMENTS
Public purchasers should be able to identify products that are available through national framework agreements. This information should be included in the table summarising the results of a product search. Change need to be made The table summarising a product search should include a column giving information on whether the product is available through framework agreements on a national level.
2.6. TRACEABILITY OF THE MODIFICATIONS
With their personal login and password companies can add, edit and delete information on the pages concerning themselves and their products. However some use this opportunity to make non authorised publicity, or make mistakes while entering their products by not paying attention to the functioning of the website. For example, when entering a new product, it is important to choose the correct product category (the default category being all purpose cleaner). Currently it is not possible to control and check these eventual problems because we are not informed when a company makes a change. Change need to be made The administrator needs to receive a notification when a company makes changes to its pages.
2.7. NOTIFICATION OF EMPTY PRODUCT PAGES
To make sure that the necessary information is available to consumers it would be highly useful if the administrator received an automatic notification if product pages are empty so that producers can be systematically invited to update their product pages. Change need to be made The administrator needs to receive a notification when a product page is empty.
APPENDIX VI: SOAPS AND SHAMPOOS FACT SHEET, AND DRAFT HEAT PUMP FACT SHEET
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 65 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report The European Eco-label for Soaps, Shampoos and Hair conditioners - "The official EU mark for Greener Products"
If you want to show your commitment to a better environment: Choose the Flower for your Soaps and shampoos Meet your customers' demand Once it's on your products, the Flower guarantees: Consumers are today more sensitive to the Limited use of dangerous substances protection of the environment. Four out of five European consumers would like to buy Lower impact on the aquatic environment more environmentally friendly products, provided they are properly certified by an High standards of biodegradability independent organisation.
Limited packaging waste With the Flower on your products you offer them a reliable guide to easily identify the High level of performance good environmental performers available on the market. It can be awarded to any rinse-off substance and preparation intended to be placed in contact with the epidermis and the hair system with a view to cleaning them or to improve the condition of the hair.
Give your soaps and shampoos a credible sign of Environmental Excellence... Apply for the Flower! For a quick test use the check list on the back
They said it! For more information… “An EU Ecolabelled product has an increased biodegradability and very low toxicity. The main … on the scheme, its feature, the actors involved, the aim of the EU Ecolabel criteria for soaps, application process… shampoos and conditioners is to provide a http://ec.europa.eu/ecolabel guarantee of strict environmental performance for consumers and a few criteria on health are also … on the "Soaps, shampoos and hair conditioners" included. The European Ecolabel is therefore product group: detailed criteria, date of revision… complete and is a good marketing argument http://ec.europa.eu/ecolabel towards consumers. ” Choose "product groups" on the menu on the left Marianne B. Eskeland, Ecolabelling Norway, Norwegian Competent Body leading the work on the criteria Check-list (for a first assessment only) European Commission Life Cycle Criterion Expectations Step Manufacturing Safety of the The product shall not be classified with any of the following risk phrases according to (formulation) product Directive 67/548/EEC: R50-53, R51-53, and R52-53. Rubbing/abrasive agents in hand cleaning agents are not included. No constituent substance must be classified as carcinogenic (Carc), mutagenic (Mut) or toxic to reproduction (Rep) including rules for self-classification class III. Fragrances must have been manufactured, handled and applied following the code of practice of the International Fragrance Association. Preservatives must not release substances classified as carcinogenic (Carc), mutagenic (Mut) or toxic to reproduction (Rep) including rules for self-classification class III. Additives contained in packaging must: - not release substances classified as carcinogenic (Carc), mutagenic (Mut) or toxic to reproduction (Rep) including rules for self-classification class III. - not be based on Cd or Hg or compounds with these elements.
Use Performance and The product’s fitness for use must be demonstrated either through laboratory test(s) or a durability criteria consumer test. The packaging must be designed to make correct dosage easy, e.g. by ensuring that the opening at the top is not too wide.
End of life Limitation of the Critical Dilution Volume toxicity (CDVtox): use of substances - Shampoo, shower products and liquid soaps: CDVtox < 20 000 l/functional unit (f.u. = 1 g of harmful for the Active Content. AC = weight of organic ingredients in the product calculated on the basis of the aquatic complete formulation of the product. Rubbing/abrasive agents in hand cleaning agents are not environment included in the calculation of AC). - Solid soaps: CDVtox < 3500 l/f.u. - Conditioner: CDVtox < 30 000 l/f.u. Each surfactant shall be readily biodegradable. Content of ingredients exceeding 0.010% by weight of the product and not readily biodegradable (or which have not been tested for aerobic biodegradability): - Shampoo, shower products and liquid soaps: < 30 mg/f.u. - Solid soaps: < 15 mg/f.u. - Conditioner: < 50 mg/f.u. Rubbing/abrasive agents in hand cleaning agents are not included. Content of ingredients not anaerobically biodegradable (or which have not been tested for anaerobic biodegradability) and having a lowest acute toxicity LC50 or EC50 < 100 mg/l: - Shampoo, shower products and liquid soaps: < 25 mg/f.u. - Solid soaps: < 15 mg/f.u. - Conditioner: < 50mg/f.u. Rubbing/abrasive agents in hand cleaning agents are not included. No APEOs and other alkyl phenol derivatives, NTA, boric acids, borates and perborates, nitromusks and polycyclic musks. EDTA and its salts and non-readily biodegradable phosphonates may only be added to solid soaps and ≤ 0.6 mg/f.u.. Some biocides to preserve the product are allowed, only in the appropriate dosage and if not potentially bio-accumulating. Organic dyes or colouring agents must not be potentially bio-accumulating.
End of life Limitation of Weight/Content Relationship < 0.30 g of packagaing /g of product. packaging waste Plastic parts in the primary packaging shall be marked according to DIN 6120, Part 2 or the equivalent. Caps and pumps are exempted from this requirement.
Your Competent Body will inform you which assessment and verification documents are required (e.g. declarations of compliance, MSDS of ingredients), which test results must be provided and how the testing should be carried out (external test laboratories).
To market your eco-labelled products use our free Green Store: http://www.eco-label.com The European Eco-label for Heat Pumps - "The official EU mark for Greener Products"
If you want to show your commitment to a better environment: Choose the Flower for your Heat Pumps Meet your customers' demand Once it's on your products, the Flower guarantees: Consumers are today more sensitive to the Improved energy efficiency during heating and protection of the environment. Four out of cooling modes five European consumers would like to buy more environmentally friendly products, Reduction or prevention of the risks for the provided they are properly certified by an environment and for human health related to the use independent organisation. of hazardous substances With the Flower on your products you offer Lower global warming impact them a reliable guide to easily identify the good environmental performers Contains instructions for correct environmental use available on the market. It can be awarded to electrically driven, gas driven or gas absorption heat pumps with the purpose of space heating or the opposite process space cooling, with a maximum heating capacity of 100 kW. Heat pumps exclusively providing hot water for sanitary use, and those only extracting heat from a building are excluded. Give your heat pumps a credible sign of Environmental Excellence... Apply for the Flower! For a quick test use the check list on the back
They said it!
XXTo be completed For more information…
… on the scheme, its feature, the actors involved, the application process… http://ec.europa.eu/ecolabel
… on the "Heat pumps" product group: detailed criteria, date of revision… http://ec.europa.eu/ecolabel Choose "product groups" on the menu on the left Check-list (for a first assessment only) European Commission Life Cycle Criterion Expectations Step Manufacturing Safety of the Taking into account the tolerances specified in Directive 2005/618/EC, the heat pump and product the heat pump system shall not contain: Cd, Pb, Hg, Cr VI, or the flame retardants (i.e. PBB or PBDE) as listed in Article 4 of Directive 2002/95/EC.
Use User instructions for A comprehensive manual for installation, maintenance, and for operating the heat pump shall correct be provided. environmental use An ‘information fiche for customers’ will be available at point of sale to provide appropriate advice to consumers about the heat pump. Suitable training for installers in Member States where the product is marketed shall be ensured. It shall include information relevant for sizing and installing the heat pump and completing the information fiche for consumers.
Use Performance The sound power level(s) shall be tested and stated in dB(A) on the information fiche. criteria The efficiency of the heat pump unit shall exceed the minimum requirements of the coefficient of performance (COP) and the primary energy ratio (PER) as defined in Commission Decision XX (to be completed when the criteria are published in the Official Journal). If the heat pump is reversible and can cool, the efficiency of the heat pump unit shall exceed the minimum requirements of the energy efficiency ratio (EER) in cooling mode as defined in Commission Decision XX.
Use Limitation of the Global Warming Potential (GWP) for the refrigerant: GWP ≤ 2000 (100 yrs). use of substances If GWP < 150 (100 yrs), then the COP and the PER in heating mode and the EER in cooling harmful to the mode shall be reduced by 15%. environment The secondary refrigerant, brine or additives must not be substances classified as environmentally hazardous or constituting a health hazard as defined in Directive 67/548/EEC and its amendments.
End of life Durability The availability of spare parts shall be ensured for a period of 10 years from the date of sale.
Your Competent Body will inform you which assessment and verification documents are required (e.g. declarations of compliance, MSDS of ingredients), which test results must be provided and how the testing should be carried out (external test laboratories).
To market your eco-labelled products use our free Green Store: http://www.eco-label.com
APPENDIX VII: TEXT REGARDING THE HELPDESK AND THE EU ECOLABEL PUBLISHED ON THE WEBSITE OF THE SALON DES MAIRES
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 70 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report Informations reprises dans le catalogue du Salon des Maires
Libellé société : ECOLABEL EUROPEEN Contact (prénom / nom) : MADAME TANJA MUENCHMEYER Fonction : ASSISTANTE DU HELPDESK DE L'ECOLABEL EUROPEEN N°, Type et Nom de Voie : C/O BIO INTELLIGENCE SERVICE 1 RUE BERTHELOT Code Postal : 94200 Ville : IVRY SUR SEINE Pays : FRANCE Téléphone : 01 56 20 28 98 Fax : 01 58 46 09 95 Email : [email protected] Site Web: WWW.ECO-LABEL.COM
Activité : L'Ecolabel Européen, dit la Fleur, est le label officiel Européen destiné à aider les consommateurs à discerner les produits et services respectueux de l'environnement. Chaque produit est vérifié par un organisme indépendant quant à sa conformité à des critères écologiques et de performance stricts et rigoureux.
Produits : La Fleur regroupe 26 catégories, parmi lesquelles, le papier à copier, les détergents, les savons et shampooings, les engrais, les peintures d’intérieur, les papiers absorbants, les textiles, les ampoules électriques, les ordinateurs…
Caractéristiques environnementales : Le nouveau code des marchés publics permet aux acheteurs publics d'insérer des critères environnementaux dans leurs appels d'offres pour privilégier l'achat de produits éco- responsables. Néanmoins, ces derniers ne sont pas toujours experts en environnement et ont des difficultés à déterminer les enjeux environnementaux associés à chaque produit acheté. L'Ecolabel Européen facilite cette étape et permet aux acheteurs d'intégrer directement ses critères lors de la rédaction des appels d'offres.
http://lessalons.groupemoniteur.fr/Frontoffice/inscription_catalogue.php?fromUrl=salon_des_ maires_et_des_collectivites_locales%2Fle_marche%2Finscription_catalogue&part=bexpo
APPENDIX VIII: DRAFT CONSUMER INFO-QUIZ QUESTIONS
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 72 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report Draft multiple-choice questions for the consumer info quiz Note : For some of the questions, more than one answer is possible
1. What is the European Ecolabel?
-a European organic certification -the official label for environmentally friendly products and services -an energy label
2. What type of products can be awarded the Flower?
-services -products sold in the European Union - food products -non food products -non medical products
3. What part(s) of the life cycle of the product do the criteria concern?
-extraction of raw materials - production - use - packaging - end-of-life -all of the above
4. When was the EU Ecolabel established?
-1992 -1998 -2001
5. How many companies have been awarded the EU Ecolabel?
-less than 100 -between 100 and 400 -more than 400
6. Which product category has the greatest number of holders?
-textiles -tourist accommodation services -all purpose and sanitary cleaners
7. Which country has the greatest number of holders?
- France - Denmark -Germany -Italy - Czech Republic
8. Among the following, who participates in the development of the criteria for new product groups?
- Consumer NGOs - Representatives from the industry, from SMEs - Environmental NGOs - European Commission - All of the above
9. What is the role of the Competent Bodies?
- Independent certification bodies (some of them) - Representatives for the EU Ecolabel in each Member States - Bodies responsible for drafting the Ecolabel award criteria - All of the above
10. Among the following, which product(s) can not (yet/to this date) be awarded the European Ecolabel?
- shaving cream - computers - lubricants - a house - hard floor coverings - tissue paper - camp sites - bed mattresses - diapers
Explaining Text for the Ecolabel Quiz
Screen 1 – Site Introduction
Welcome to the Flower Quiz. The game lets you test your knowledge about the official European Union Ecolabel Scheme. If this is a new subject for you, you will gather interesting information about the Flower in a fun way!
The quiz consists of 10 questions with a maximum score of 20 points.
Screen 2 – Question 1
What is the European Ecolabel?
-a European organic certification -the official European Union label for environmentally friendly products and services -an energy label
Screen 2.1 – Right Answer, 2 Points
Congratulations, your answer was correct!
The European Ecolabel ‘The Flower’ [put a small version of the flower] is the official label of the EU which helps European consumers find greener, more environmentally friendly, products and services.
Screen 2.2 – Wrong Answer, 0 Points
Sorry, your answer was not correct.
The European Ecolabel ‘The Flower’ [put a small version of the flower] is the official label of the EU which helps European consumers find greener, more environmentally friendly, products and services.
Screen 3 – Question 2
What type of products can be awarded the Flower?
- services - products sold in the European Union - food products - non food products - non medical products
Screen 3.1 – Right answer, 2 Points (all four right answers ticked)
Congratulations, your answer was correct!
Currently* the Flower can be awarded to 26 groups of products but these do not include food, drink, pharmaceuticals and medical devices. For more detailed information on product groups and to find individual products please visit: http://www.eco-label.com
*As of October 2007 Screen 3.2 – Partially right answer, 1 Point (some rights answers but not all four)
Well, your choice was partially correct…
Currently* the Flower can be awarded to 26 groups of products but these do not include food, drink, pharmaceuticals and medical devices. For more detailed information on product groups and to find individual products please visit: http://www.eco-label.com
*As of October 2007
Screen 3.3 – Wrong answer, 0 Points
Sorry, your answer was not correct.
Currently* the Flower can be awarded to 26 groups of products but these do not include food, drink, pharmaceuticals and medical devices. For more detailed information on product groups and to find individual products please visit: http://www.eco-label.com
*As of October 2007
Screen 4 – Question 3
What part(s) of the life cycle of the product do the criteria concern?
-extraction of raw materials - production - use - packaging - end-of-life - all of the above
Screen 4.1 – Right answer, 2 Points
Congratulations, your answer was correct!
One of the strengths of the European Ecolabel is its "cradle-to-grave" approach, meaning that the complete life-cycle of a product or a service will be looked at in detail when developing the criteria, starting with the extraction of raw materials, progressing through the production, distribution and use phases and ending with disposal after use.
Screen 4.2 – Wrong answer, 0 Points
Sorry, your answer was not entirely correct.
One of the strengths of the European Ecolabel is its "cradle-to-grave" approach, meaning that the complete life-cycle of a product or a service will be looked at in detail when developing the criteria, starting with the extraction of raw materials, progressing through the production, distribution and use phases and ending with disposal after use.
Screen 5 – Question 4
When was the EU Ecolabel established?
-1992 -1998 -2001
Screen 5.1 – Right answer, 2 Points
Congratulations, your answer was correct!
The EU Ecolabel scheme was established in 1992. The first product groups have been in operation since 1993. In 2000 the scheme was comprehensively revised.
Screen 5.2 – Wrong answer, 0 Points
Sorry, your answer was not correct.
The Ecolabel scheme was established in 1992 and the first product groups have been in operation since 1993. In 2000 the scheme was comprehensively revised.
Screen 6 – Question 5
How many holders have been awarded the EU Ecolabel?
-less than 100 -between 100 and 400 -more than 400
Screen 6.1 – Right answer, 2 Points
Congratulations, your answer was correct!
Since the establishment of the scheme more than 400 licenses have been awarded. Many of the companies that have an Ecolabel license sell more than one product. The total number of flower-labelled products is currently* estimated to be 2000.
*As of October 2007
Screen 6.2 – Wrong answer, 0 Points
Sorry, your answer was not correct.
Since the establishment of the scheme more than 400 licenses have been awarded. Many of the companies that have an Ecolabel license sell more than one product. The total number of flower-labelled products is currently* estimated to be 2000.
*As of October 2007
Screen 7 – Question 6
Which product category has the greatest number of holders?
-textiles -tourist accommodation services -all purpose and sanitary cleaners
Screen 7.1 – Right answer, 2 Points
Congratulations, your answer was correct!
With just over 20% of all licensees the product group Tourist Accommodation Services holds the largest number of licenses. Number 2 and number 3 of the biggest product groups are Textile Products and Paints/Varnishes.
Screen 7.2 – Wrong answer, 0 Points
Sorry, your answer was not correct.
With just over 20% of all licensees the product group Tourist Accommodation Services holds the largest number if licenses. Number 2 and number 3 of the biggest product groups are Textile Products and Paints/Varnishes.
Screen 8 – Question 7
Which country has the greatest number of holders?
- France - Denmark - Germany - Italy - Czech Republic
Screen 8.1 – Right answer, 2 Points
Congratulations, your answer was correct!
Italy is the country with the highest number of Ecolabel licensees – they represent 20% of the total number of license holders. Number 2 and number 3 of the countries with the highest number of license holders are France and Denmark Screen 8.2 – Wrong answer, 0 Points
Sorry, your answer was not correct.
Italy is the country with the highest number of Ecolabel licensees – they represent 20% of the total number of license holders. Number 2 and number 3 of the countries with the highest number of license holders are France and Denmark.
Screen 9 – Question 8
Among the following, who does participate to the development of the criteria for new product groups?
- Consumer NGOs - Representatives from the industry, from SMEs - Environmental NGOs - All of the above
Screen 9.1 – Right answer, 2 Points
Congratulations, your answer was correct!
When criteria need to be developed for a new product group, it is the European Union Ecolabelling Board (EUEB) that is responsible. The EUEB is the central body of the Ecolabel award scheme and consists of the national Competent Bodies as well as members of the Consultation Forum (representatives of consumer and environment NGOs, trade unions, industry, SMEs and commerce).
Screen 9.2 – Wrong answer, 0 Points
Sorry, your answer was not entirely correct.
When criteria need to be developed for a new product group, it is the European Union Ecolabelling Board (EUEB) that is responsible. The EUEB is the central body of the Ecolabel award scheme and consists of the national Competent Bodies as well as members of the Consultation Forum (representatives of consumer and environment NGOs, trade unions, industry, SMEs and commerce).
Screen 10 – Question 9
What is the role of the Competent Bodies?
- Independent organisations implementing the scheme at the national level - Representatives for the EU Ecolabel in each Member State - Bodies responsible for drafting the Ecolabel awarding criteria - All of the above
Screen 10.1 – Right answer, 2 Points
Congratulations, your answer was correct!
The Competent Bodies are independent and neutral organisations that implement the Ecolabel award scheme at national level, draft ecolabel criteria, assess applications and award the Flower to companies that apply. In some cases the Competent Body is an independent certification body, for example AFNOR in France, but not always.
Screen 10.2 – Wrong answer, 0 Points
Sorry, your answer was not entirely correct.
The Competent Bodies are independent and neutral organisations that implement the Ecolabel award scheme at national level, draft eco-label criteria, assess applications and award the Flower to companies that apply. In some cases the Competent Body is an independent certification body, for example AFNOR in France, but not always.
Screen 11 – Question 10
Among the following, which product(s) can not (yet/to this date) be awarded the European Ecolabel?
- shaving cream - computers - lubricants - a house - hard floor coverings - tissue paper - camp sites - bed mattresses - diapers
Screen 11.1 – Right answer, 2 Points
Congratulations, your answer was correct!
Currently* the Flower can be awarded to 26 groups of products but these do not include shaving products, diapers, or entire buildings. For more detailed information on product groups and to find individual products please visit: http://www.eco-label.com
*As of October 2007
Screen 11.2 – Partially right answer, 1 Point (some rights answers but not all three)
Well, your choice was partially correct…
Currently* the Flower can be awarded to 26 groups of products but these do not include shaving products, diapers, or entire buildings. For more detailed information on product groups and to find individual products please visit: http://www.eco-label.com
*As of October 2007 Screen 11.3 – Wrong answer, 0 Points
Sorry, your answer was not correct.
Currently* the Flower can be awarded to 26 groups of products but these do not include shaving products, diapers, or entire buildings. For more detailed information on product groups and to find individual products please visit: http://www.eco-label.com
*As of October 2007
Screen 12 – Results
Screen 12.1 – For a result between 0 at 7 Points
Well, you are not yet an expert in the European Ecolabel but we very much appreciate your interest! To help you understand the scheme and why you should buy products with the Flower label, we invite you to have a look at the following pages: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/index_en.htm and http://www.eco-label.com/
Thank you for your participation!
Screen 12.2 – For a result between 8 at 15 Points
You already have good basic knowledge of the European Ecolabel, that’s great! To complete this knowledge and to answer all the questions that you might have, we invite you to have a look at the following pages: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/index_en.htm and http://www.eco- label.com/
Thank you for your participation!
Screen 12.3 – For a result above 15 Points
You are an expert in the European Ecolabel – congratulations! But as there is always more to explore, news articles to read, and events to keep track of, we nevertheless invite you to have a look at the following pages: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/index_en.htm and http://www.eco-label.com/
Thank you for your participation!
APPENDIX IX: SOAPS AND SHAMPOOS PRESS RELEASE, REVISION PRESS RELEASE
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 82 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report New criteria for soaps, shampoos and hair conditioners.
Enlargement and improvement for the European Ecolabel: the European Ecolabel continues its extension with new criteria developed regularly. The new soaps, shampoos and hair conditioners product group is now available.
The European Ecolabel is a label promoting the environmental quality of products and services complying with the criteria of the scheme. There are currently criteria for 25 product groups covering a wide range of categories, from household appliances to cleaning products, from home and garden, to clothing and paper products, from tourist accommodation services to camping services. Several hundreds of products bearing the Flower logo are available on the market and sales of ecolabelled products now stand at more than € 800 million / year in the EU.
In December 2006, the criteria for soaps, shampoos, and hair conditioners were adopted. The European Ecolabel on these products tells you that they:
– meet strict limits on the use of dangerous substances,
– have a lower impact on the aquatic environment,
– set high standards of biodegradability,
– limit packaging waste,
– and have a high level of performance.
Detailed criteria are available from national Competent Bodies, - independent and neutral organisations responsible for implementing the European Ecolabel award Scheme at national level, including drafting Ecolabel criteria, assessing applications and awarding the Ecolabel to companies that apply. Therefore, in order to apply for the European Ecolabel or to have more information on the application procedure, a company needs to contact one of the Competent Bodies. There is one Competent Body per Member State. Their contact details can be found at http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/tools/competentbodies_en.htm.
Several producers are already planning to develop EU Ecolabelled soaps and shampoos.
Background information
More than 400 companies have been awarded the Flower logo so far. The most successful product groups are tourist accommodation services with 91 holders, textiles with 70 companies being awarded with the label as well as paints and varnishes (60 holders), and detergents (91 holders for the 4 detergents product groups: all purpose and sanitary cleaners, hand dishwashing detergents, laundry detergents, detergents for dishwashers). Between 2002 and 2005, the sales of ecolabelled products have gone up by 300%, with the highest rise monitored in Italy, Denmark, France and Spain.
Consumers are able to find regularly updated information on Flower labelled products, as well as their producers and the retailers selling these products, available in the different European countries through an online catalogue, the ‘Green Store’, at www.eco-label.com. This website is available today in the 20 official languages of EU-25.
These numerous developments meet the expectations of consumers, since the number of visitors to the web site is in constant increase since its launch and now averages more than 500,000 hits per month (more than 100,000 pages viewed per month), which corresponds to an increase in the number of visits of 500% compared to 2004.
A company is allowed to apply the Flower logo on its products only when an independent certification official body recognises that the product shows satisfactory results with regards to the European Ecolabel criteria. Involving European stakeholders from all the 27 Member States, the Flower logo offers to consumers a high level of transparency, reliability, guarantee of scientific credibility and good quality. At the same time, it offers manufacturers and retailers a clear marketing distinction. Thus the Flower is an added value tool for companies who want to demonstrate their commitment to the protection of the environment and meet their customers’ expectations.
Also, following a large-scale evaluation study, a revised Regulation is expected to be agreed within the European Commission (EC) later in the year. The purpose is to make the European Ecolabel more business friendly, more focused and robust in relation to environmental priorities.
Brussels, July 2007 ------For more information on the European Ecolabel please contact the European Ecolabel Helpdesk at [email protected] or your national competent body: contact details can be found on http://ec.europa.eu./comm/environment/ecolabel/tools/competentbodies_en.htm
The Green Store can be accessed on http://www.eco-label.com/
Also visit the dedicated web-sites: http://ec.europa.eu/ecolabel and http://www.eco-label-tourism.com
APPENDIX X: APRIL MMG MINUTES
September 2007 EC – DG Environment EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report
The European Eco-labelling Board Marketing Management Group
Tuesday 24 April 2007, 14:00-17:00 Brussels BU5 - C
Minutes
Participants:
LEDOUX Laure ESTAT +32 2 29 36 376 [email protected] ATAUGA Rasa LEGMA – CB in Latvia +37 1 7032016 [email protected] [email protected] GOMES Paula Portuguese Competent Body +351 217919102 economia.pt [email protected] SENE Christophe CESIO (surfactants/CEFIC) +33 4 76 50 51 00 m ZILLI Rosita EURO COOP +32 2 285 00 72 [email protected] COX Charles DEFRA +44 207 082 8672 [email protected] MAZINGUE- Corentine Helpdesk +33 1 56 20 28 98 [email protected] DESAILLY De CODMAN Chantal CESIO (surfactants/CEFIC) +32 2 676 72 55 [email protected] Ministry of the Environment, HAJEK Daniel +420 267 122 489 [email protected] Czech Republic Ministry of the Environment, KROUTILOVA Marcela +420 267122045 [email protected] Czech Republic LOEWE Christian FEA, Germany +49 340 2103 3025 [email protected] SCHOLTZ Henning RAL +49 2241 160625 [email protected] MARINUCCI Nicola DG ENV +32-2-2968075 [email protected] MINESTRINI Stefania APAT +390650072231 [email protected] NYQVIST- Leena SFS Ecolabelling +358 9 14993391 [email protected] KUUSOLA [email protected] PINTO Carla Portuguese Competent Body +351 217919100 economia.pt PROIA Patricia AFAQ AFNOR Certification +33 1 41 62 86 10 [email protected] SAIFRID Petr Czech Ecolabelling Agency +420 26 22 52 69 [email protected] SAHLEN Kerstin SIS Ecolabelling +46 8 5555 2406 [email protected] Polish Centre for Testing & TKACZYK Joanna +48 22 46 45 208 [email protected] Certification DUE HANSEN Tine Ecolabelling DK +45 72 300 450 [email protected]
The Chair, Ms Stefania Minestrini from APAT, opened the meeting and the agenda was adopted. Adoption of December minutes The December 2006 minutes were adopted without change. Presentation of the new members
Rosita Zili from Eurocoop and Paula Gomes and Carla Pinto from the Portuguese Competent Body introduced themselves. Update on the Flower Week 2007 (CBs)
The Chair reminded participants that the Flower Week would take place from mid-September to mid-October as decided during the MMG meeting of December so as to allow more flexibility to organise the events. Indeed the different MSs do not have the same schedule. The event will now be called Flower Month.
France plans to organise an event with the press and ecolabelled tourist accommodations during the Flower Month. France hopes to have 20 holders for this product group! Also, information campaigns using the tools developed last year with the slogan “I buy green products” and promoting the French Ecolabel and the European Ecolabel together will take place throughout the year in collaboration with the following retailers: Carrefour, Auchan, Monoprix, Cora, Systeme U, Intermarché, Castorama, Leroy-Merlin. France also mentioned that they are already discussing the 2008 campaign to define the theme and the tools taking into account comments received from retailers. Indeed retailers want flexibility in reaction to the timing of their communication activities. Futhermore, France will this year launch the “Advertising Award” to be given to the producer who has done the most to advertise the ecolabel. This award will be presented during the Pollutec fair, one of the biggest environmental events in France.
Finland will not organise a specific campaign this year but information brochures will be distributed in healthcare centres targeted at families with small children. Finland also mentioned that the hardware stores which participated in the 2006 campaign are still using the wobblers for their ecolabelled products. However, they find it difficult to expand their range of products.
Sweden will not participate in the Flower Month, but is in contact with Sharp, a license holder for the televisions product group, who is actively interested in marketing its EU Ecolabelled products in Sweden. Sharp may choose to do something in different MSs during the Flower Month.
Czech Republic has prepared a document made available to everyone and which explains their planned activities.
The representative of EURO COOP mentioned that Italian and Danish members will participate in the Flower Month and that their Finnish member was becoming more interested in the Flower.
The UK is not planning to participate in the Flower Month this year, but things may change in 2008 as there is an increasing interest in the detergents product groups. This will mean more resources dedicated to the Ecolabel and thus the possibility to have a budget for promotion activities.
Germany will not be involved in the Flower Month. However, among the promotion activities planned in 2007, an award ceremony will take place on 18 October during an exhibition for camp sites in Constance.
Latvia plans to organise an internet competition as in 2006 and will distribute Flower t-shirts to the participants.
Portugal will concentrate its participation on promotion activities towards consumers with a stand to promote the products available in Portugal.
The main event in Poland will be a big conference, with more than 600 people expected. Leaflets and information brochures will be distributed. An award ceremony with the new holders will take place in the framework of the conference and press activities are planned.
Denmark’s campaign will be placed under the sign of the “15 years of the Flower” and will target teenagers. It will take place during week 41 as the other weeks in September and October are already “taken” by other events. Movie spots will be posted on the internet, especially on sites for teenagers. Stand-up comedy shows about ecolabelling will take place. As in previous years, products will be tested in partnership with the consumer magazine Taenk and the Danish Consumer Council. The products will probably be hair styling products and deodorants. Furthermore, retailers will participate in the campaign with wobblers, mobiles, etc. There will also be a widespread press activity and a competition will be organised for teenagers. The winner will be offered (with maybe the whole school) an evening with stand up comedians.
The same type of activities as in the previous Flower weeks will be carried out in Italy, i.e. focused on retailers, school and press activities with activities from the local environmental protection agencies (15 out of 21 regions). However, this year Italy hopes to have more retailer participation. The focus will be more on all product groups and less on tourist accommodations as in previous years. Indeed, the number of applications for this product group is exploding! APAT also mentioned that there is a new Italian CB who is motivated to carry out activities. Therefore other initiatives will be carried out. The main target will be consumers as the overall awareness of the Flower is still low. Therefore APAT is in contact with the 3-4 main consumer organisations in Italy which are more motivated and have agreed to re-start an Ecolabel forum. Therefore more collaboration is expected.
It was agreed that the CBs of all participating MSs will send a detailed summary of their planned activities by mid-June to the Helpdesk with a copy to the European Commission ([email protected]).
Advice on the type of market penetration indicator that should be used for the EU Ecolabel in the MSs (Laure Ledoux, EC, Eurostat)
Laure Ledoux from Eurostat presented the type of indicators concerning the Ecolabel already developed by Eurostat and the indicators they wished to develop with the collaboration of the CBs. Eurostat mentioned among others the need to have the CN (Common Nomenclature) code of the ecolabelled products.
The Chair said that as the MMG and Eurostat want to develop indicators for the same purpose, CBs could help.
Following a request from Portugal, the presentation by Laure Ledoux will be sent by mail.
Denmark was very surprised with the results of the Eurobarometer Survey where it says that the awareness in Denmark is 13% when it had been measured 36%. Apparently the translations of the questions asked were not clear in Danish. Their formulation should be revised.
Eurostat said that a survey is good but everybody needs to agree on the questions. For Eurostat, looking only at awareness is not enough though. Maybe a second question should be asked, concerning purchasing.
The Chair introduced the discussion on how to build the other indicator to measure the market penetration related to the supply side, i.e. the number of ecolabelled products compared to products sold on the market.
Denmark said that they did statistics to know the market share of ecolabelled products and the results follow an exponential curve.
France remarked that in France data exists per product group whereas at the European level the categories are wider, i.e. all detergents are together. If the categories are too wide, then the market share of ecolabelled products will be very small (0.00x %) and it can be demotivating. But for example, the market share for hand dishwashing detergents in France is 1.5% and the one for paints is 6%.
Eurostat answered that they would have to check this issue but the categories should be stable enough to follow the indicator over time. For example if there are 100 product groups, there cannot be 100 categories. It is too much. Therefore the categories should be wide enough to include existing and further product groups. However it can be different on a European or on a national level.
The Chair said that the purpose is to communicate at EU level.
France agrees but adds that statistics at a national level are also important because the press wants information at a national level. Following a comment from APAT, France pointed out that this would be possible with the collaboration of the professionals.
The indicator developed by Eurostat is part of the Sustainable Development (SD) category indicators. Representatives from the surfactants industry asked why as the Ecolabel only takes into account environmental aspects and not social aspects.
Eurostat explained that the three aspects of SD were covered in the category but all the indicators in the category do not each cover the three aspects.
Since the Chair asked for precisions, Eurostat said that what they needed from the CBs is the CN code of the products.
Denmark mentioned that it could be very complicated as for textiles, the CN code changes for each colour.
Finland agreed but said that it depended on the product category.
Eurostat answered that it depended on the aggregation level and that having the CN codes will help them develop the indicator instead of them doing it on their own with the possibility of making mistakes.
The Chair concluded by asking Eurostat to send a mail to the EC explaining this which will be forwarded to CBs.
Comments on the Eurobarometer Survey done end 2006 and discussion on a new version of the Flower logo
Eurobarometer Survey
The Chair reminded participants of the results of the survey mentioning that the results are surprising. The Chair also pointed out that the same number of interviews was done in each MS which all have different populations. The Chair suggested asking them for explanations.
Denmark said that the translations had no meaning in Danish. Indeed Ecolabel was translated by ecological label. The word ‘ecological’ means ‘organic’ in Danish. Thus there was confusion in answering the question.
Sweden and Finland added that it was the same problem in their language, Finland pointing out that in Finnish, all food is organic and that they speak of ‘ecological grown food’ for ‘organic food’ as understood in English.
APAT pointed out that CBs had not approved the translations of the questions asked. APAT also added that the second type of question suggested by Eurostat previously was a good idea.
UK stated that in English, ‘organic’ had a legal meaning. When a company does a “green” claim, it needs to be proven.
Denmark added that in Denmark companies claiming that their product is environmentally friendly have to prove it by an LCA.
The EC mentioned that the point concerning the next Eurobarometer Survey will be put on the September MMG meeting agenda. Two questions will be drafted, together with possible multi- choice answers. This will be done within the forum of the MMG, with the cooperation of the CBs, to avoid any risk of misunderstanding. The EC will ask for official translations through their services which CBs will then be asked to approve.
New Flower logo
The Chair thought that the word ‘ecolabel’ alone is too general as it is now widely used but often misused. Also, the meaning of the Flower logo alone is not always clear to consumers. It would be good to use the label with the word ‘European’ in front accompanied by a short explanation of what it stands for. Italy suggests for example ‘European Ecolabel for products and services’. A proposal used by a company in the UK was shown.
Germany argued that the new logo proposed would be completely different from the previous one. However time and money has already been spent to promote the existing logo. If it is changed, all these efforts would be wasted. Germany also questioned if companies, which use the logo on their products, would follow and added that if the logo is modified, this should only take effect within the context of the new regulation.
The Chair agreed concerning the timing of the eventual launch of a changed logo and precised that the purpose is not to modify completely the logo but to improve the existing one (keeping the Flower).
Sweden likes the idea of a circle around the Flower. Sweden also pointed out that the sentence ‘European Union Ecolabel’ is not desirable in Sweden as the term European Union could bring negative publicity. However the term European Ecolabel is fine.
France mentioned that many French producers used the “stamp” used in the previous leaflets. France agrees that the logo should not be changed as it would cost a lot of money, also for producers who would have to redesign all their packaging. However if the text is changed, France suggests to precise ‘ecolabel for products’ on the one hand and ‘ecolabel for services’ on the other hand.
Finland also likes the stamp but thinks that the stem of the Flower should be smaller and the “petals” bigger.
UK precised that the company using the proposed logo inserts a paper inside the packaging with further explanations on the ecolabel. UK added that the companies put efforts to have the Flower and consequently need a more eye-catching logo for promotional purposes.
The Chair pointed out that the discussion is not on the two boxes which appear on the packaging but on how to improve the Flower logo when it is used alone.
Denmark agrees with Germany. Denmark also added that the logo suggested by the UK company looks like the EU organic label which could lead to confusion.
France restated its preference for the old logo (the stamp) and suggests imposing a minimum size of the logo because sometimes it is so small that a magnifying glass is needed!
Denmark agrees with France concerning the minimum size.
Czech Republic, as an example, said the Czech ecolabel stated: environmentally friendly product.
Denmark suggested using the term ‘official label’. Indeed, in Denmark, the Flower is known as the European official label.
The EC stated that the two key things that should be made quite clear are that it is an official scheme and a European scheme. The EC also questioned the term ‘Flower’ asking whether it could be misleading with an organic label (which could explain part of the results of the Eurobarometer survey). Maybe the term Flower should not be widely used for communication purposes.
Germany said that there is an inconsistency from a communication point of view. Indeed, the Blue Angel became publicly recognised as a brand and synonym to a label. The picture and the words of the label cannot be disconnected. This is called action logo in Germany, a logo used in public communication. Germany suggests dedicating the workshop planned in Berlin to this subject.
France and Finland both mentioned that they could not use the word official as the Environment Ministry in their countries does not allow it.
Germany suggests discussing branding strategy at the September MMG meeting.
It was agreed to ask for a minimum size of the logo and the need to specify that it is a European scheme. The Chair ended the discussion by saying that a decision should be taken at the September MMG meeting on how to improve the communication on the logo.
Any other business
E-catalogue
CBs expressed concern on the e-catalogue which is not always up to date, for example the company and product pages which are not filled in.
Notifications go through the following procedure, as reminded by the Chair and the Helpdesk: CBs need to send the notifications to the EC with a copy to the Helpdesk. The Helpdesk then enters the new companies and products in the e-catalogue. The Helpdesk can thus enter a new company and/or product in the e-catalogue, only when they receive the corresponding notification forms. The Helpdesk also reminded participants that they take the initiative to ask CBs for notification forms when they receive enquiries about certain products and see that they have not received the corresponding notification forms.
Each company entered in the e-catalogue has a personal login and password which is sent to their contact person mentioned on the notification form. This enables them to have access to their pages on the e-catalogue and fill in information on their company and their products. Indeed, the Helpdesk reminded participants that they do not have such information. The
Helpdesk can only complete the pages with the information present on the notification forms. Therefore the companies should do it. Maybe CBs could insist on this point when awarding the ecolabel to companies.
Each year the Helpdesk launches a campaign to remind holders to complete the pages concerning their company and their products on the e-catalogue. The results of these campaigns, which show an improvement each time, have been presented to the CBs at MMG meetings (in December). These campaigns are time-consuming, especially with the increasing number of holders and the language barrier which exists for certain holders who do not speak English. The time spent on this activity is determined each year with the agreement of the EC and the number of days allocated to this exercise has been steadily increasing each year.
It is also important to send in de-registration forms when companies no longer are awarded.
Finland thinks that it is not a good idea that companies can add products to the list on the e- catalogue. The other CBs agreed. The Helpdesk will thus see how this can be done and discuss with the EC on this issue.
The Chair said that some information that companies should fill in the e-catalogue have already been given to CBs. Therefore companies do not understand why they have to do it again. The Chair will check with the Helpdesk what information is needed and see how these can be added on the notification form.
Number of licences
Participants were reminded as to how the licence numbers should be given to a company, ie. one company has one licence number in a given product category, independent of the number of ecolabelled products. This is explained in an official EC document.
The Helpdesk with the EC will check the statistics concerning the number of awards taking into account this explanation.
Consumer Info kit brochure for Tourist accommodation services
France said that three star hotels in France do not find the design of the consumer Info kit brochure for Tourist accommodation services attractive enough. Therefore France asked if it would be possible to set up a working group to change and improve it.
The EC understands but as all Info kit brochures have the same design, it is difficult to have one that would be different. However, every hotel is welcome to print out its own leaflets. The EC also suggested that the work could be done at a national level. Other CBs agreed.
France said that in general, the industry should be consulted when leaflets destined to consumers are developed as they are the ones who will be using them.
Germany said that at fairs, consumers look for posters, postcards and goodies they can collect, more than for brochures which can be too technical.
APAT said that they did not use the consumer info kit brochures in Italy but other brochures developed by the marketing project for services.
The Chair thanked everybody for their contribution and closed the meeting.
Follow-up:
Task Actor Deadline Minutes Helpdesk For next meeting Prepare the next meeting Chair, Helpdesk, EC For next meeting Send a summary of the planned CBs For 15 June 2007 activities for the Flower Month campaign Send a summary explaining the Eurostat For next meeting type of information Eurostat would like to have from CBs Check the statistics on the license Helpdesk, EC For next meeting holders Look at what information is needed Helpdesk, Chair, EC For next meeting for the product and company pages on the e-catalogue and see how these can be added on the application form
APPENDIX XI: AGENDA FOR THE SEPTEMBER MMG MEETING
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 94 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report
The European Ecolabelling Board Marketing Management Group
Tuesday 25 September 2007, 14:00 – 17:00 Brussels BU5 – C Agenda
Adoption of April minutes
Update on the Flower Month 2007: detailed activities planned and on-going by each Member State (short presentation by each participating MS)
Ecolabel and GPP – update on future plans (Monika Wasilewska, EC)
Presentation of the Leonardo Project “Train to Ecolabel” (Rainer Stifter)
Presentation of on-going activities for Lot 8 - “Marketing for services” (Ernst Leitner)
Follow-up discussion on a new version of the Flower logo and on improving the communication on the logo
Discussion on the two questions for the next Eurobarometer survey
Any other business - New notification template (use of the CN code proposed by Eurostat) - Other pending issues
APPENDIX XII: PRESS KIT FOR THE 2007 FLOWER MONTH
September 2007 EC – DG Environment 96 EU Ecolabel Helpdesk –09/2007 Quarterly Report
Press Pack
THE EUROPEAN ECOLABEL FLOWER MONTH CAMPAIGN 15 September – 15 October 2007
CONTENTS
What is the Flower Month?
What is the European Ecolabel?
History and development
Testimonials
Current product groups
Green Store for consumers
Further information
What is the Flower Month?
The European Flower Month is an EU campaign to promote the European Ecolabel. After two successful Flower Week campaigns in 2005 and 2006, the extended 2007 Flower Month campaign will be held between 15 September – 15 October 2007 in seven Member States. This will encourage a wide range of activities in the different participating countries. The objective of this promotional campaign is to increase the knowledge of the European Ecolabel and what it stands for among consumers, as well as to encourage its uptake in the manufacturing and tourism sectors. “The Flower makes it easy to choose green”!
Activities range from in-store actions to seminars and competitions to be held on web sites, in magazines, or in schools. The seven participating countries are: Czech Republic, Denmark, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Romania, and Spain (Murcia region). The Competent Bodies are the national project managers and planned activities vary according to local priorities. The focus will be on dialogue activities. A key characteristic of the campaign is the active involvement of the different stakeholders: retailers, license holders, environmental and consumer NGOs.
The information that follows is intended to provide you with background information and a summary of key statements.
What is the European Ecolabel?
Established in 1992, the EU Ecolabel is a certification scheme aimed to promote products and services which have a reduced environmental impact thus helping European consumers distinguish more environmentally friendly products.
A company is allowed to put the Ecolabel Flower logo on its products only when an independent body recognises that the product shows compliance with the strict ecological and performance criteria of the European Ecolabel. The Flower logo offers consumers a guarantee of scientific credibility and good quality and provides them with the opportunity to identify healthier and more environmentally friendly products. There are currently twenty-six different product groups covering a wide range of categories, from household appliances to cleaning products, from home and garden to clothing and paper products, and from tourist accommodation services to camping services (see below). Already more than 400 licences have been awarded for several hundred products available on the market. Between 2002 and 2005, the number of eco-labelled items sold rose by 300%. Sales of ecolabelled products now stand at more than € 800 million / year in the EU.
The EU Ecolabel is administered by the European Commission. The European Union Ecolabelling Board (EUEB) is the central body of the scheme and is mandated to contribute to the setting and review of the ecological criteria. It is made up of representatives from the Competent Bodies of the Member States and the members of the Consultation Forum (representatives of consumer and environment NGOs, trade unions, industry, SMEs and commerce).
History and development
The EU Ecolabel was established in March 1992. The following two years were spent drawing up the road map for the implementation of the scheme: decisions on procedural guidelines, on a standard contract and on establishing the fee system.
In 1993 the first two criteria documents for washing machines and dishwashers were adopted. On 25 November 1993 the first EU Eco-label was awarded to Hoover for three of their washing machines.
In November 1994 criteria for two further product groups - soil improvers and tissue paper - were introduced. Today there are 26 product groups with several more in preparation. The details on the product group development are illustrated below.
Development of Product Group Categories 1992 - 2007
30
Nr. Product 20 Group
Categories 10
0 5 * 0 0 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2 2006 2007 *Prevision for 2007 Year
Since 1998 the numbers of EU Ecolabel holders shows a consistently high rate of growth as illustrated below.
Total Holders 1992 - 2007 350
300
250
Nr. Holders 200 150
100
50
0 2 3 5 6 8 9 2 3 5 * 9 9 9 9 0 6* 99 99 00 00 19 19 1994 1 19 1997 1 19 2000 2001 2 20 2004 2 00 2 2007* *up to 30 September 2006 ** up to 31 August 2007 Year
In the year 2000 a new Regulation on the EU Ecolabel entered into force aimed at streamlining the scheme and making it more attractive to producers. The EU Ecolabelling Board (Competent Bodies of Member States and interest groups) was created. Reduced fees for SMEs were introduced. Traders and retailers were given the possibility to apply directly for the “Flower” and the scope of the scheme was broadened to services.
2001 saw the adoption of the Ecolabel working plan which looks to the longer term future of the Flower. This includes its synergies with other types of environmental labelling and with EMAS, its role as a benchmark for public procurement, its resources, and the role of the Flower in the wider policy framework of sustainable consumption and integrated product policy.
The EU Ecolabel working plan also includes the revision of the scheme in 2005. Following a large-scale evaluation study of the scheme carried out in 2005, which showed that at micro- level, the Ecolabel scheme is achieving its objectives and can significantly improve the environmental performance of participating organisations, a public consultation took place beginning 2007. All these results are being considered and a revised Regulation is expected to be agreed within the European Commission (EC) later in the year.
The purpose is to make the European Ecolabel more business friendly, more focused and robust in relation to environmental priorities. The EC is thus planning to fundamentally revise the scheme following several main objectives: – Improving the institutional set-up of the scheme to increase efficiency and develop more product groups. – Expanding the number of EU Ecolabelled products on the shelves for consumers to choose from. – Increasing stakeholder involvement in the decision- making process. – Creating a labelling system which meets the needs of Green Public Procurement. – Ensuring more consistency between Commission instruments. A major EU-wide marketing push to raise awareness of the Ecolabel is also envisaged once the scheme has been revised.
Testimonials from NGOs
“Ecolabelling is essential in facilitating consumer’s sustainable choices favouring the more sustainable segment of products and services on the market.” Jens Henriksson, The Swedish Consumers' Association
“The EU Ecolabel is an extremely useful tool to lead consumers’ attention towards environmentally friendly products.” Robert Pochyluk, director of eko-net.pl and since 2005 president of the Polish Forum ISO 14000
“Buying ecolabelled products can not only reduce impacts on the environment but also encourage more producers to be public and transparent about their environmental performance. Certainly the EU Ecolabel is a consumer’s guide to products and services that are more environmentally friendly.” Montse Torrent, director of the Organització de Consumidores I Usuaris de Catalunya (consumer Organisation in Catalunia, Spain)
“The number of labels which exist in Europe is confusing for consumers. The effort to develop a European Ecolabel known to all consumers in Europe is therefore remarkable. It facilitates the message sent to consumers.” Andrei Blumer, President, Association of Ecotourism in Romania (AER)
"The EU Ecolabel is a very important tool for consumers who want to make an environmentally friendly and sustainable choice. The Flower makes it easy - you see the Flower and know that the product wearing it is environmentally sound: less dangerous chemicals are used, strict criteria have to be fulfilled and the quality of the products has to be at least as good as non-labelled products. Also ecolabelled products have to use less energy, both in production and in use and have to be easy to dispose off, after the consumers have stopped using them.” Claus Jørgensen, Senior Environmental Adviser, The Danish Consumer Council
Current product groups
The EU Ecolabel scheme is open to any product and service, except food, drink, pharmaceuticals and medical devices. There are currently twenty-six product categories for which ecological criteria have been developed, with several further groups under development.
In all product groups, the relevant ecological issues and the corresponding criteria have been identified on the basis of comprehensive studies of the environmental aspects related to the entire life-cycle of these products.
An individual product must comply with all environmental and performance criteria in order to be awarded the EU Ecolabel.
List of current product groups:
Bed Mattresses Footwear Hard floor coverings Indoor paints and varnishes Light bulbs Soil improvers Growing media Dishwashers Refrigerators Televisions Washing machines All purpose cleaners Dish washing detergents Hand dishwashing detergents Laundry detergents Soaps, shampoos, and conditioners Tissue paper Personal computers Portable computers Copying and graphic paper Textile products Vacuum cleaners Lubricants Tourist accommodation services Camp sites services Heat pumps
The Green Store
www.eco-label.com provides an interactive catalogue with details of the companies and products that have been awarded the EU Ecolabel. Since June 2004 the site is available in the 11 languages of EU-15 (English, Danish, Spanish, Finnish, Swedish, French, Dutch, German, Portuguese, Greek, and Italian). Since October 2006, the site is available in the 9 languages of the new Member States (Latvian, Czech, Maltese, Hungarian, Lithuanian, Estonian, Polish, Slovenian, and Slovakian). By the end of 2007, the site will also be available in Romanian and Bulgarian, the official languages of the two newest EU Member States.
The site offers consumers a basic introduction to the European Ecolabel. They are then able to browse through the range of products currently available and retrieve information on specific products and their manufacturers. Furthermore, the site gives a list of stores and provides links to existing on-line shopping sites.
Since 2005, a search engine for retailers has been added to the Green Store. The addition of this service enables consumers to not only search for a product via its manufacturer, but also to search for retailers selling EU Ecolabelled products. European consumers can easily be informed about the selling points of environmentally friendly products that have been awarded the Flower.
Whilst the site is primarily aimed at individual consumers, it also has links for more technical enquiries and manufacturers.
In 2007, the average number of visits per month is 30209 (from January to August 2007). This corresponds to a 200% increase since 2006 and 900% since 2004!
Further Information
Fully detailed information on all aspects of the European Ecolabel is available on the ecolabel Europa website:
http://ec.europa.eu/ecolabel/
This includes a description of the scheme, all background documents, downloadable criteria documents and information sheets, , contact addresses, news, details of on-going work, links to other eco-labels and much more…
You can also contact the EU Ecolabel Helpdesk
Targeted information on the new EU Ecolabel in the tourism sector can be found at
www.eco-label-tourism.com