The Direct and Indirect Benefits of the European Ecolabel

0,42

MB

91

stron

4375

ID

AEA Technology Environment

2004

rok

Contents

1 Introduction 1

2 Direct Benefits 3

2.1 Methodology 3

2.2 Product Groups.7

2.2.1 Copying and Graphic Paper . 7

2.2.2 Tissue Paper .9

2.2.3 Cleaners for sanitary facilities 11

2.2.4 All-purpose Cleaners13

2.2.5 Detergents for Dishwashers . 15

2.2.6 Hand Dishwashing Detergents . 17

2.2.7 Laundry detergents.19

2.2.8 Washing Machines .21

2.2.9 Dishwashers .23

2.2.10 Refrigerators.26

2.2.11 Televisions .28

2.2.12 Personal Computers (System Unit and Monitor) . 30

2.2.13 Laptop Computers34

2.2.14 Light Bulbs.36

2.2.15 Footwear.38

2.2.16 Indoor Paints and Varnishes. 40

2.2.17 Hardfloor Coverings.42

2.2.18 Mattresses.44

2.2.19 Soil Improvers 46

2.2.20 Textiles.48

2.2.21 Vacuum Cleaners .50

3 Indirect Benefits . 53

3.1 Indirect Benefit 1 - The use of the Ecolabel criteria by another eco-label. Criteria may be copied

directly or used as a reference point before local adaptation. 53

3.2 Indirect Benefit 2 - The use of the Ecolabel criteria in public procurement calls for tender. . 56

3.3 Indirect Benefit 3 - The use of the Ecolabel criteria in private procurement calls for tender. . 58

3.4 Indirect Benefit 4 - The use of the Ecolabel criteria by companies as a benchmark for their own

products or as a target to improve their environmental performance. 59

3.4.1 General Product Improvement . 59

3.4.2 Cost Benefit to Companies. 61

3.5 Indirect Benefit 5 - The use of the Ecolabel criteria to generate Type III labels (environmental

product declarations), or recommendations on how to make green claims (Type II). 61

3.6 Indirect Benefit 6 - The use of the Ecolabel criteria & procedures/structures to generate

minimum environmental requirements applicable to all products of a product category on the

market. 62

3.7 Indirect Benefit 7 – The use of the Ecolabel criteria in the “new approach” as a basis for

establishing whether companies have complied with “essential requirements” 64

3.8 Indirect Benefit 8 – The use of the Ecolabel logo, eco-label criteria and related discussion, to

raise stakeholder awareness of the environmental impact of products, with stakeholders including

manufacturers retailers, consumers, environmental NGOs and public administrations 65

3.9 Indirect Benefit 9 – The use of the Ecolabel and its criteria as a basis for establishing fiscal

measures to promote green products, (e.g. criteria for energy rebate schemes) . 66

4 Case Studies and Success Stories 69

4.1 Green Procurement.69

4.2 ECOgent General Purpose Cleaner 70

4.3 Using EU Eco-label Criteria to Develop Baseline Requirements Applicable to all Products on the

Market 71

4.4 The Use of EU Eco-label Criteria by National Ecolabel Schemes 73

5 Conclusions . 75