european commission – dg env the eu eco-label in green public procurement athina koutroumani...

European Commission – DG ENVEuropean Commission – DG ENV

The EU ECO-LABEL The EU ECO-LABEL in Green Public Procurementin Green Public Procurement

Athina KoutroumaniBrussels, 29 September 2005

What is the Flower? What is the Flower?

Created in 1992Created in 1992 VoluntaryVoluntary Valid across EU, Norway, Iceland, Valid across EU, Norway, Iceland,

LiechtensteinLiechtenstein Covers goods and services (not food and Covers goods and services (not food and

drugs)drugs) Type-I environmental label: certified by Type-I environmental label: certified by

independent third party, not a self-claimindependent third party, not a self-claim Transparent process: multi-stakeholderTransparent process: multi-stakeholder

The Flower...The Flower...

... distinguishes environmentally friendly, ... distinguishes environmentally friendly,

high quality productshigh quality products

... helps consumers and purchasers to find ... helps consumers and purchasers to find

green products easilygreen products easily

... guarantees reliable information... guarantees reliable information

... offers competitive advantage to ... offers competitive advantage to

producers of eco-labelled productsproducers of eco-labelled products

Wider policy backgroundWider policy background

2002 World Summit 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development on Sustainable Development

in Johannesburgin Johannesburg

Jo’burg Plan of Implementation: Jo’burg Plan of Implementation: ““Adopt on a voluntary basis effective, Adopt on a voluntary basis effective,

transparent, verifiable, non-misleading and transparent, verifiable, non-misleading and non-discriminatory non-discriminatory consumer information toolsconsumer information tools to provide information relating to sustainable to provide information relating to sustainable consumption and production”consumption and production”


66thth Environmental Action Programme Environmental Action Programme “Our future, our choice” : “Our future, our choice” : “Encourages the uptake of eco-labels that allow

consumers to compare environmental performance between products of the same type”

Eco-labelling is part of the Thematic Strategy on Eco-labelling is part of the Thematic Strategy on the sustainable use of resourcesthe sustainable use of resources

Relevant to waste prevention policyRelevant to waste prevention policy


Integrated Product Policy (IPP)Integrated Product Policy (IPP) Is based on Is based on Life Cycle ApproachLife Cycle Approach to minimise to minimise

environmental impactsenvironmental impacts Requires Requires participation of stakeholdersparticipation of stakeholders Provides for a variety of Provides for a variety of tools tools to be usedto be used

The eco-label is one such tool!The eco-label is one such tool!

Links with other instrumentsLinks with other instruments

Environmental Public Procurement:use criteria set out by the Scheme when defining performance-based or functional environmental requirements

Environmental Technologies Action Plan (ETAP): design and implementation of performance targets

Eco-design of Energy-using Products: designing the implementing measures

Community Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS)

Who is in charge?Who is in charge?

European Union Eco-labelling BoardEuropean Union Eco-labelling Board European CommissionEuropean Commission Member State level: Competent Bodies Member State level: Competent Bodies

Criteria developmentCriteria development AwardAward

Interest groups: environmental NGOs, Interest groups: environmental NGOs, consumers’ associations, SMEs...consumers’ associations, SMEs...

IndustryIndustry

How does it work?How does it work?

Criteria developmentCriteria development Defined for Defined for each each product groupproduct group Multi-criteriaMulti-criteria Participation Participation of interested groupsof interested groups Based on Life Cycle ConsiderationsBased on Life Cycle Considerations Formal adoption by the Formal adoption by the European Commission European Commission

(Commission Decision)(Commission Decision)


Flower labelled Product/Service:Flower labelled Product/Service:

Certified good environmental Certified good environmental quality and quality and guaranteed guaranteed technical performancetechnical performance

Generates Generates less less environmental impacts environmental impacts on air, on air, water, soil and human health water, soil and human health throughout its life cycle, from throughout its life cycle, from raw material extraction to end raw material extraction to end of life (“of life (“from cradle to from cradle to gravegrave”)”)

Added valueAdded value: usage cost : usage cost generally lower than averagegenerally lower than average


Awarding Awarding process for process for ManufacturersManufacturers

Submission of application

Evaluation of application

Eco-label award for one or more products

Compliance monitoring

Promotion / Marketing

AchievementsAchievements

Household appliances (4)Household appliances (4)

Detergents (4)Detergents (4)

Bed mattresses Bed mattresses

TextilesTextiles

FootwearFootwear

Indoor paints & varnishesIndoor paints & varnishes

Hard floor coveringsHard floor coverings

Soil improversSoil improvers

LubricantsLubricants

Personal computers Personal computers

Portable computersPortable computers

TelevisionsTelevisions

Light bulbsLight bulbs

Tissue paper Tissue paper

Copying paper Copying paper

Tourist accommodationTourist accommodation

CampsitesCampsites

Criteria defined for 23 Product GroupsCriteria defined for 23 Product Groups


In the pipelineIn the pipeline Wooden furnitureWooden furniture Heat pumpsHeat pumps Soaps and shampoosSoaps and shampoos Printed paperPrinted paper


20002000 15 product group criteria established15 product group criteria established 53 companies53 companies 17 million articles bearing the Flower17 million articles bearing the Flower 38 million euro ex-factory sales38 million euro ex-factory sales

20042004 23 product group criteria established23 product group criteria established 226 companies226 companies Estimated 400 million articles bearing the Flower Estimated 400 million articles bearing the Flower Estimated 700 million ex-factory sales Estimated 700 million ex-factory sales

2005 (to date)2005 (to date) 260 companies260 companies

Achievements: Achievements: number of licencesnumber of licences

0 50 100 150 200 250

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

15/11/2004

Number of companies

Number of companies

Achievements: Achievements: articles soldarticles sold

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

15/11/2004

Millions of artic les/items sold

Millions of articles/items sold

;

Achievements: Achievements: ex-factory sales valueex-factory sales value

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

15/11/2004

Ex-factory sales value (€ million)

Ex-factory sales value (€ million)

Achievements: Achievements: awards per Product Group awards per Product Group

TextilesTextiles 6868 Paints & varnishesPaints & varnishes 4545 Tourist accommodation serviceTourist accommodation service 2828 All-purpose & sanitary cleanersAll-purpose & sanitary cleaners 2121 Soil improversSoil improvers 2020 Hand dishwashing detergents Hand dishwashing detergents 1414 Tissue paperTissue paper 1212 Laundry detergents, Footwear Laundry detergents, Footwear 1010 Dishwashing detergents Dishwashing detergents 7 7 Bed mattresses, Copying paper Bed mattresses, Copying paper 6 6 Campsite service Campsite service

5 5 Hard floor coverings Hard floor coverings 3 3 Dishwashers, Refrigerators, Light bulbs, TVs, Lubricants Dishwashers, Refrigerators, Light bulbs, TVs, Lubricants 1 1 Portable&Personal computers, Washing machines, Vacuum Cleaners 0Portable&Personal computers, Washing machines, Vacuum Cleaners 0

Achievements: Achievements: awards per country awards per country

ItalyItaly 6161 Denmark Denmark 5353 France France 4848 SpainSpain 1717 SwedenSweden 1515 GreeceGreece 1414 The NetherlandsThe Netherlands 1212 Austria Austria 9 9 Germany Germany 8 8 Portugal Portugal 5 5 Belgium, UKBelgium, UK 4 4 Norway, Finland Norway, Finland 3 3 Czech Republic, Hungary, PolandCzech Republic, Hungary, Poland 1 1 Cyprus, Estonia, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Cyprus, Estonia, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania,

Luxembourg, Malta, Slovakia, SloveniaLuxembourg, Malta, Slovakia, Slovenia 0 0

Marketing / PromotionMarketing / Promotion

Targeted Marketing activities aiming at…Targeted Marketing activities aiming at… Raising the level of awarenessRaising the level of awareness

Encouraging businesses to apply for the EU eco-labelEncouraging businesses to apply for the EU eco-label

Eco-label Campaign 2004Eco-label Campaign 2004 Phase 1: contact new potential manufacturers to apply for the Phase 1: contact new potential manufacturers to apply for the

EU Eco-labelEU Eco-label

Phase 2: European Flower Week in October 2004Phase 2: European Flower Week in October 2004

Participation in Fairs & Trade EventsParticipation in Fairs & Trade Events

Marketing / PromotionMarketing / Promotion

HelpdeskHelpdesk http://www.europa.eu.int/ecolabel/http://www.europa.eu.int/ecolabel/

Very thorough informationVery thorough information

E-catalogue: E-catalogue: http://www.eco-label.comhttp://www.eco-label.com Aimed at consumersAimed at consumers

www.eco-label-tourism.comwww.eco-label-tourism.com Focused on tourismFocused on tourism

Information materialInformation material LeafletsLeaflets NewsletterNewsletter Info-kitsInfo-kits Mouse pads, bags, T-shirts...Mouse pads, bags, T-shirts...

EU Eco-label in GPP

The Public Procurement Directives (2004/17/ EC and 2004/18/EC) explicitly allow you to use the underlying specifications of eco-labels when defining performance-based or functional environmental requirements, provided that:

the specifications are appropriate for defining the characteristics of the supplies or services covered by the contract;

EU Eco-label in GPP

the requirements for the label are based on

scientific information; the eco-labels are adopted with the participation

of all stakeholders, such as government bodies, consumers, manufacturers, distributors and environmental organisations;

they are accessible to all interested parties.

The EU Eco-label meets all these requirements.

How to use How to use the EU Eco-label in GPPthe EU Eco-label in GPP

The online catalogue Green Store

You can easily locate all eco-labelled products per country per category on the Online catalogue Green Store www.eco-label.com

Currently available in 11 languages of EU-15 250,000 hits per month

Thus, you can directly know the size of the market of potential suppliers.

Search engineSearch engine

Example of a product pageExample of a product page

Example of a completed retailers list Example of a completed retailers list


In the elaboration of the technical specifications In order to define the characteristics of the products or In order to define the characteristics of the products or

service considered,service considered, you can directly cut and paste the relevant EU Eco-label you can directly cut and paste the relevant EU Eco-label

criteria into the technical specificationscriteria into the technical specifications

The EU Eco-label will be allowed as a way of proving compliance with the specifications.

Remark: Contracting authorities cannot require tenderers to be registered under a certain eco-label scheme.


Example: call for tenders of all-purpose cleanersExample: call for tenders of all-purpose cleaners

Go to the all-purpose cleaners page of the Eco-label web Go to the all-purpose cleaners page of the Eco-label web site: site: www.europa.eu.intwww.europa.eu.int//ecolabelecolabel


A summary of the criteria can be A summary of the criteria can be found in the general description of found in the general description of the product groupthe product group

The complete criteria are available The complete criteria are available in all the EU languagesin all the EU languages


The EU Eco-label can also be used as a benchmark against which to assess offers at the award stage.

Example: call for tenders of light bulbs

The EU eco-label criteria for light bulbs require that they should have an average life-span of 10 000 hours. When reflecting this in a call for tender for light bulbs, 10 000 hours could be set as the technical specification for the minimum life span, and a bonus point could be given in the award criteria for every 1 000 hours over and above 10 000.

Success StoriesSuccess Stories

The city of Dunkerque, France (Group of 18 municipalities, 12 241 inhabitants, Number of

employees : 1 319 agents): procurement of ecological detergents.

Political act: adoption of a commitment relative to sustainable development in public procurement

General approach:

Demand of thepurchasingdepartment

Research ofenvironmental

issues

Research ofecological

alternatives Study of theoffer

Setting of the marketin function of the offer

Demand of thepurchasingdepartment

Research ofenvironmental

issues

Research ofecological

alternatives Study of theoffer

Setting of the marketin function of the offer


Reasons for choosing this product category:Reasons for choosing this product category: Test tender (all purpose cleaners, window cleaners…)Test tender (all purpose cleaners, window cleaners…) Existence of ecological criteriaExistence of ecological criteria

Identified environmental issuesIdentified environmental issues Limitation of water pollutionLimitation of water pollution

Characteristics inserted in the technical Characteristics inserted in the technical specifications:specifications: High biodegradability rateHigh biodegradability rate Natural substancesNatural substances Limitation of the use of hazardous substances for the Limitation of the use of hazardous substances for the

environment and health (based on the DID-list)environment and health (based on the DID-list)


Used referenceUsed reference European Eco-label (some criteria)European Eco-label (some criteria)

Demand of samples to test the efficiency of the Demand of samples to test the efficiency of the productsproducts

ResultsResults Necessity to divide the tender into lots, to ensure Necessity to divide the tender into lots, to ensure

SMEs will answer SMEs will answer No over-costNo over-cost Very positive feedback from employees: efficiency and Very positive feedback from employees: efficiency and

lack of respiratory and skin irritationslack of respiratory and skin irritations

EU Eco-label activities in GPPEU Eco-label activities in GPP

Production of leaflets about the use of the EU Eco-label in GPP

Guidelines on EU Eco-label in GPP (under development).

Presentation/training material on EU Eco-label in GPP (under development).

Establish contact with networks like Sustainable Cities, Eurocities, ACRR and CEMR, ICLEI, UK National Audit Office and other GPP networks

Case studies on the implementation of GPP on a local level (e.g. city of Angers)

Other Type-I Eco-label SchemesOther Type-I Eco-label Schemes

Other national eco-label schemes in the EU: Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway run the

"Nordic Swan" The German Eco-label -"Der Blaue Engel" The Austrian Eco-label - "Umweltzeichen" The Hungarian Eco-label The Czech Republic Eco-label…

At a Global level.... .... the Global Eco-labelling Network - GEN - is a non-

profit making association, founded in 1994 to improve and develop the eco-labelling of products.

For more informationFor more information

http://europa.eu.int/ecolabelhttp://europa.eu.int/ecolabel

www.eco-label.comwww.eco-label.com

www.eco-label-tourism.comwww.eco-label-tourism.com

www.gen.gr.jpwww.gen.gr.jp

Thank you for your attention!Thank you for your attention!

Any questions?Any questions?

european commission – dg env the eu eco-label in green public procurement athina koutroumani...

Documents

environmental label

environmental performance

production slide

average slide

industry slide

environmental impacts

environmental ngos

multistakeholder slide