Benchmark Study on Green Buildings - Royal Architectural Institute ...

Government of Canada, and is a founding member of the Global EcoLabelling Network
(GEN). The EcoLogo program is stewarded by TerraChoice Environmental Marketing.
6.4 EU EcoLabel: Germany & United Kingdom
(http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/index_en.htm)
The EU Eco-labeling program was launched throughout the European Community in
1993 to encourage the manufacture of less environmentally-damaging products. The
European Union’s Eco-label, a flower with the EU’s star symbol, is awarded to products
that have passed a life cycle analysis.
The program provides consumers with independent information to assist in the
purchasing process, and the Eco-label is awarded to products which have a reduced
impact on the environment. All EU member states participate in the program representing
a market of 340 million consumers in Europe. The strength of this label is the European
dimension. Once approved by one member state, a stamped product can be used
throughout the other states, avoiding costly and redundant applications and evaluations.
The European Eco-label clearly shows consumers which products are ‘green’, in an
attempt to facilitate and increase sustainable consumption and production.
The EU Eco-label is administered by the European Eco-labeling Board (EUEB) and
receives the support of the European Commission, all Member States of the European
Union and the European Economic Area (EEA). The Eco-labeling Board includes
representatives such as industry, environmental protection groups and consumer
organizations. There are currently 23 different product groups, and already more than 250
licenses have been awarded for several hundred products. The EU Eco-label is a member
of the GEN.
6.5 The Blue Angel: Germany
(http://www.blauer-engel.de/englisch/navigation/body_blauer_engel.htm)
When the Federal Minister of the Interior and the Ministers of the Environment of the
Federal States first introduced the “Blue Angel” in 1977, Germany became the first
country in the world to use an Ecolabel. The primary goals of the Blue Angel program
are: 1) to guide the consumer into purchasing quality products with fewer adverse
environmental impacts; 2) to encourage manufacturers to develop and supply
environmentally sound products; and 3) to use the Ecolabel as a market-oriented
instrument of environmental policy. Today, about 3,700 products and services of some
800 manufacturers at home and abroad have the right to bear Germany’s Eco-label – the
“Blue Angel.” The Blue Angel is a member of the GEN.
6.6 Eco Mark: Japan
(http://www.ecomark.jp/english/)
The Eco Mark Program is the Japanese Environmental Labeling Program, operating in
accordance with ISO14020 and ISO14024. This Ecolabeling program considers the entire
lifecycle of a product, beginning with how the materials are obtained, through
manufacturing and general use processes, to recycling or proper disposal. The Eco Mark
is attached to products that pass a strict lifecycle examination. The Eco Mark Program is
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