Criteria for European eco-label for paper is revised
In August, the European Commission published the revised ecological criteria for the award of the European eco-label to copying paper, which it now plans to promote in all Member States. 'It has been a very open consultation process in terms of copying paper and tissue paper criteria with international discussions involving Brazil, Canada and the USA', said a spokesperson from the Environment Directorate-General. Europeans use around 2.7 million tonnes of copying paper a year, according to the latest figures published by the European Confederation of Paper Industries (CEPI) and despite recent improvements in its production it still has a considerable impact on the environment. The eco-label is a Commission initiative, which was set up in 1992, to reduce environmental damage. The system awards a 'Euro flower' logo (12 petals in the form of EU stars that surround the letter 'E' for Europe) to 'green' products from a number of groups including washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, soil improvers, paper, detergents, light bulbs, bed linen and T-shirts. The idea underpinning the scheme is that the eco-label will help consumers to choose products that have the least impact on the environment. The scheme is voluntary, an approach to managing business decisions about the environment that the Commission favours over rules and regulations shaping corporate behaviour by force. The criteria for award of the eco-label are revised every three years to take into account scientific or technological progress. While the previous criteria for copying paper aimed at reducing the discharges of various toxic or polluting substances into water, the consumption of energy and related emissions to air, and required a commitment to sustainable forest management, the latest revisions will provide even greater protection to the environment, says the Commission. 'The new criteria tackle in more depth the issues of global warming and ozone depletion, with limits on the emissions of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxides as well as limiting the use of chemicals that are hazardous for the aquatic environment.' But the eco-label scheme has recently received criticism from CEPI as well as some MEPs who argue that the public is not sufficiently familiar with the logo for it to have any real impact or achieve its objectives of promoting products with reduced environmental impact and providing better information to consumers. A spokesperson from the Commission admitted it is 'painfully aware of the poor visibility of the eco label' and so to improve its success the Commission is starting to pay more attention to marketing the logo and launching initiatives in the Member Sates. Officials now want to see consumers and civil groups more closely involved in the scheme to give it greater credibility and visibility and recently published a call for tenders for a marketing and communications strategy to do just that. The revised edition of the eco-label will also be accompanied by an explanatory note next to the logo, explaining just why that product is more 'environmentally friendly' than others. The European eco-label regulation is also currently under review. Yet CEPI would particularly like to see the review period extended to more than three years. It is concerned that the short review period effectively constitutes 'moving the goal posts', penalising smaller manufacturers that won't be prepared to invest in new technologies that will not reach the eco-label standard just three years later. But the Commission says, 'Criteria have to have a limited durability. They (the European Parliament and the Council) will be required to review it, but they don't have to change it....If you source from sustainable forests you can reduce emissions without employing new technologies'.