Page 63 - Design for Environment A Guide to Sustainable Product Development

42 Chapter Thr ee

FIGURE 3.3 Examples of prominent eco-labels around the world.

• EcoLogo. This Canadian program, launched in 1988 as Envi-
ronmental Choice, has certified over 7000 North American
products and services based on compliance with life-cycle
environmental criteria.
• Green Seal. This U.S. eco-label, launched in 1989, provides
science-based environmental certification standards cover-
ing a wide variety of products. It is favored by large insti-
tutional purchasers, including government agencies and
universities.
• Nordic Swan. This eco-label, launched in 1989, is jointly sup-
ported by Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland.
It applies to 60 product categories, and about 1200 labels
have been awarded.
• Eco Mark. The Eco Mark symbol was launched in 1991 by
the Japan Environment Association and uses environmental
criteria to determine environmental impacts throughout the
product life cycle. It applies to 64 product categories, and
about 5200 labels have been awarded.
• EU Flower. This is a European Union eco-label launched by
the European Commission in 1992, based on evaluation of
product life-cycle environmental impacts. Criteria have been
published for 23 product groups and the label has been
awarded to 350 products.
• Green Mark. This Taiwanese mark was launched in 1992 by
Taiwan’s Environmental Protection Administration to guide