FUND FOR RESEARCH INTO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, GROWTH & EQUITY

Global Review of Eco-Labels: Implications for South Africa

PHASE ONE REPORT

July 2002

Authors

Jonathon Hanks, Eckart Naumann, Bas Kothuis, Jenny Hall

Common Ground

BECO Institute for Sustainable Business

Environmental Counsel

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary
Abbreviations
Background to this study
- Core Assumptions
- Methodology

1. Introduction to Eco-Labelling
   1. Definition and objectives of eco-labelling
   2. Distinctions of the different recognised types of eco-labels
      1. The ISO Distinctions
   3. Brief review of the history and increasing use of labels internationally
   4. Typical Features Associated with Type I Eco-Labelling Programmes
      1. The Process and Administrative Structure
      2. The Life Cycle Assessment Process
   5. Recent Trends: Globalisation, Standardisation and Harmonisation
2. Global Review of Eco-Labelling Initiatives
3. Evaluating the Impact of the Eco-Labelling Programmes
   1. Assessing the Effects of Labelling Programmes: Key Issues
      1. The market impact
      2. Economic aspects
      3. Environmental effectiveness
      4. Trade effects
   2. THE EU ECO-LABEL AWARD SCHEME
      1. The market impact
      2. Economic aspects
      3. Environmental effectiveness
      4. The trade effects
   3. THE NORDIC SWAN
      1. The market impact
      2. Economic aspects
      3. Environmental effectiveness
      4. The trade effects
   4. THE GOOD ENVIRONMENTAL CHOICE PROGRAMME - SWEDEN
      1. The market impact
      2. Economic aspects
      3. Environmental effectiveness
      4. The trade effects
   5. THE BLUE ANGEL - GERMANY
      1. The market impact
      2. Economic aspects
      3. Environmental effectiveness
      4. The trade effects
   6. THE STICHTING MILIEUKEUR - THE NETHERLANDS
      1. The market impact
      2. Economic aspects
      3. Environmental effectiveness
      4. The trade effects
   7. THE ECO-MARK - INDIA
      1. The market impact
      2. Economic aspects
      3. Environmental effectiveness
      4. The trade effects
   8. THE GREENLABEL - SINGAPORE
      1. The market impact
      2. Economic aspects
      3. Environmental effectiveness
      4. The trade effects
   9. ENVIRONMENT 2000 - ZIMBABWE
      1. Market impact
      2. Economic aspects
      3. Environmental Effectiveness
      4. General concerns
   10. Summary of Key Issues - Lessons Learnt
       1. The market impact
       2. Economic aspects
       3. Environmental effectiveness
       4. Trade effects
4. Specific Analysis of the EU Experience with Eco-Labelling
   1. Environment and the EU
   2. History of the EU Eco-Labelling Schemes
   3. Eco-Labelling and Government Procurement
   4. Operation of the EU Flower
      1. Overview of Legislative Arrangements to Implement the EU Eco-Label
      2. Existing Eco-Labelling Product Categories and Categories under Development
      3. How are the Product Group Criteria developed?
      4. Harmonisation Activities in the EU
      5. Nature of Marketing and Promotional Activities of the EU Eco-Label
   5. The EU Product Categories - Implications for South Africa
      1. Nature of Trade between South Africa and the EU
      2. Specific Analysis of SA-EU Trade in the EU Eco-Label Equivalent Sectors
5. Introducing Eco-Labels in South Africa: The Current Context
   1. The current legislative context
      1. Environmental Policy Context
      2. Industrial policy context
   2. The Current Institutional Context
      1. Government Departments
      2. The South African Standards, Quality Assurance, Accreditation and Metrology (SQAM) system
      3. Accreditation in South Africa
      4. Certification and Setting of Standards
      5. Stakeholder participation
   3. Experience with Existing Labelling Initiatives in South Africa
      1. The Proudly South African Campaign
      2. DANCED/DANIDA Textiles Project
      3. Proposed Fynbos Certification Scheme - Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative
6. Introducing Eco-Labels in SA: Implications and Policy Options
   1. Socio-Economic Impact of Eco-Labels in SA: Trade, Investment and Employment
      1. Brief Overview of Trade between SA and its Trade partners
      2. Trade Protocols with the EU, US and Market Access Issues
      3. Possible implications for Investment and Employment
   2. Eco-labelling: Costs and Benefits in a South African Context
      1. Likely Financial Impact of Eco-Labelling on the South African Textile Industry
   3. Key Challenges in Introducing an Eco-Labelling Scheme
      1. Changing Consumption Patterns : The Role of Consumers
      2. Changing Production Patterns : The Role of Producers and Retailers
      3. Government: Ensuring the Scheme´s Effectiveness
   4. Institutional Implications
      1. Organisational structure
      2. Funding
      3. Legislation
   5. Policy Options for Government to consider
      1. Implementation of own South African eco-labelling scheme
      2. Facilitating access to external labelling schemes
      3. Alternative and/or complementary policy responses
   6. Potential Product Categories for Eco-labels in South Africa
      1. Basis for Identifying Possible Product Categories
7. The Way Forward - Aims and Objectives of Phase II of the Study
8. References

1.  
   • Literature
   • Internet sites
   • Country programmes

APPENDICIES [PDF Format 265KB]

1. Global Review of Eco-Labelling Initiatives
   1. The EU Eco-label Award Scheme
      1. Administrative structure
      2. Product selection process
      3. Criteria Development Process
      4. Application process
      5. Provisions for stakeholder consultation
      6. Contact details
   2. The Nordic Swan
      1. Administrative structure
      2. Product selection process
      3. Criteria Development Process
      4. Application process
      5. Provisions for stakeholder consultation
      6. Contact details
   3. The Good Environmental Choice Programme - Sweden
      1. Administrative structure
      2. Product selection process
      3. Criteria Development Process
      4. Application Process
      5. Provisions for stakeholder consultation
      6. Contact details
   4. The Blue Angel - Germany
      1. Administrative structure
      2. Product selection process
      3. Criteria Development Process
      4. Application process
      5. Provisions for stakeholder consultation
      6. Contact details
   5. The Stichting Milieukeur - The Netherlands
      1. Administrative structure
      2. Product selection process
      3. Criteria Development Process
      4. Application Process
      5. Provisions for stakeholder consultation
      6. Contact details
   6. THE ECO-MARK - INDIA
      1. Administrative structure
      2. Product selection process
      3. Criteria Development Process
      4. Application Process
      5. Provisions for stakeholder consultation
      6. Other information
      7. Contact details
   7. THE GREENLABEL - SINGAPORE
      1. Administrative structure
      2. Product selection process
      3. Criteria Development Process
      4. Application process
      5. Provisions for stakeholder consultation
      6. Contact details
   8. GOOD ENVIRONMENTAL CHOICE - AUSTRALIA
      1. Administrative structure
      2. Product selection process
      3. Criteria Development Process
      4. Application process
      5. Provisions for stakeholder consultation
      6. Contact details
   9. Environment 2000 Eco-Labelling Programme - Zimbabwe
      1. Administrative structure
      2. Contact details
      3. Other Labelling initiatives in Zimbabwe
   10. Tabular Review of Other Key Global Eco-Labelling Initiatives

1.  
   • Brazil
   • Canada
   • China
   • France
   • Japan
   • Malaysia
   • New Zealand
   • Spain
   • Taiwan
   • Thailand
   • USA
2. Product Categories
   • EU Flower Eco-Label - European Union
   • Good Environmental Choice - SWEDEN
   • Blauer Engel (Blue Angel) - Germany
   • The Stichting Milieukeur - THE NETHERLANDS
   • Eco-Mark - India
   • GreenLabel - Singapore
   • Good Environmental Choice - Australia
   • Environment 2000 - ZIMBABWE
   • Proudly South African - South Africa
3. Contact Details of National Type-I Eco-labelling Programmes
4. Exports from South Africa to EU

LIST OF TABLES

• Table 1 - Examples of Existing Type I Labelling Schemes
• Table 2 - New Product Groups Planned for the EU Eco-Label
• Table 3 - EU Marketing and Promotion Objectives
• Table 4 - Analysis of Trade Between SA and EU in EU Eco-Label Equivalent Sectors
• Table 5 - Summary Table of Priority Eco-Labelling Initiatives
• Table 6 - Brief Overview of Other Key Eco-Labelling Programmes: Key Data
• Table 7 - Brief Overview of Other Key Eco-Labelling Programmes: Administrative Issues
• Table 8 - Overview of product group categories in different EU and candidate countries