The European Commission submitted a document last July recommending a review of the ecolabeling guidelines, which is currently being considered by the European Parliament and the Council. On February 17th of this year, the European Parliament's Environment Committee published a report advocating for wider adoption of the EU ecolabel. The report stated that the EU should simplify the ecolabeling process, reduce issuance fees, and make it easier for businesses of all sizes to apply for labels, while welcoming the European Commission's proposal to expand the scope of applicable products. The EU launched the ecolabeling scheme in 1992, issuing ecolabels to products that contribute to environmental improvement. The EU revised the scheme in 2000. According to Regulation 1980/2000, the ecolabeling scheme is voluntary and not intended to differentiate EU products from foreign products. According to the regulation, each product category must meet certain ecological criteria (such as impact on climate change, energy and resource consumption, and waste recycling) to be eligible for an ecolabel. The goal of these ecological criteria is to ensure that only products and services with minimal environmental impact over their lifespan are eligible for an ecolabel.
The European Commission launched a review on July 16th last year, hoping to improve the effectiveness and market impact of the eco-labeling regulations by expanding the categories of eligible products and increasing the number of eco-labeled products and services offered to consumers, thereby educating consumers to buy more environmentally friendly products.
Products and services awarded eco-labels are accompanied by a floral logo for easy consumer identification. To date, more than 3,000 products have been awarded eco-labels. The eco-labeling scheme covers products including paper, textiles, footwear, large household appliances (such as dishwashers, refrigerators, and washing machines), light bulbs, vacuum cleaners, furniture, televisions, and dishwashing liquids.
EU law does not require Hong Kong exporters dealing in the above-mentioned products to apply for eco-labels. However, the benefit of eco-labels is that they make consumers understand that labeled products are more environmentally friendly, thereby encouraging them to purchase such products.
The report of the European Parliament's Environment Committee agrees with the European Commission's view that the scope of eco-labeling should be expanded. However, the Environment Committee opposes the European Commission's recommendation to apply the label to processed foods, fisheries, and aquaculture products, believing that a careful study should be conducted on whether reliable ecological standards can be established for food and beverages.
Members of the Environment Committee stated that eco-labels should not be issued to products and substances of high concern that are toxic or carcinogenic, but requested the European Commission to study whether "reduction in animal testing" could be included as another criterion for issuing eco-labels to product categories.
The Environment Committee has requested the European Commission and member states to provide sufficient funding for the eco-labeling program, hoping to increase label usage by raising awareness and encouraging public purchase of eco-labeled products.
The EU is studying several product categories to determine whether to include them in the eco-labeling scope, including water heaters, electric motors, computers, imaging equipment, indoor air conditioners, multi-function set-top boxes, and dryers. The EU is also developing eco-labeling guidelines for products such as wooden furniture, printing paper, and heat pumps, while revising environmental standards for flooring materials, paints and varnishes, textiles, and mattresses. For detailed information on eco-label products and manufacturers authorized to use the label, please refer to the following website: http://www.eco-label.com/default.htm.
- Reference source: Hong Kong Trade Development Council website, March 2009
