The unfortunate fact is that labelling creates as much confusion as it seeks to distinguish products. CAN GOVERNMENT CAN REDUCE THE NUMBER OF LABELS. BY CREATING A SPECIAL SERVICE TO SORT OUT DUBIOUS LABEL COMPANIES.

Do you recognize these eco-labels?

Here are the various eco-label certifications that exist today for the different products that we own. How many do you recognize?

Usha Hariprasad Jun 28, 2014


Well informed consumers make better choices. And this is what eco-labelling promotes. Well, at least that is what it is supposed to do. But can you guess how many labels we have to certify products in this country? In excess of 100! Here are the various certifications that exist today for the different products that we own. How many do you recognize?

Energy Efficiency label:

This label issued by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is a means of identifying energy efficient products in India. The label indicates the energy consumption of the appliance with a star rating from one to five. More number of stars indicates the product as energy efficient. Equipments and appliances like refrigerators, air conditioners, television, geysers etc carry this seal.
GoodWeave:

This eco label is meant to discourage the use of child labour in the carpet industry. The GoodWeave International, a non profit organization issues the label if the rug manufacturers adhere to the GoodWeave standards, do not use child labour and voluntarily join as licensees. Currently based in New Delhi and Varanasi, it also works towards creating education and other opportunities to children of workers.
India Organic – National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP):

Issued by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in India, India Organic logo certifies organic agriculture and products that are as per the National Standards for Organic Products. The APEDA implements these standards through a national accreditation policy and program called NPOP. The NPOP along with certification of organic products also encourages the development of organic farming and organic processing in India.
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS):

This eco label is given for textiles meeting the organic status. All the stages in textile processing like processing, manufacturing, packaging, labelling, trading and distribution is considered by GOTS and certification is given if the textile is made from at least 70% certified organic natural fibres. The aim is to combine the existing and draft standards in eco textiles and provide a single certification accepted in all major markets. The GOTS International group comprises of four reputed organizations from USA,Germany,UK and Japan.
Ecocert:

It is a certification for organic agricultural products. Managed by Ecocert group, an inspection and certification group in France, it is an initiative by agronomists to promote and recognize eco friendly agricultural practises. Food and food products, natural detergents, perfumes, textiles etc are certified by this group. The group is one of the largest organic certifications in the world conducting inspections in around 80 countries. Ecocert India has promoted the India Organic logo in the international markets and given recognition to organic produce from India.

Better Cotton Initiative (BCI):

This label indicates that the cotton is cultivated through better management practises with less environmental impact. The BCI a voluntary organization founded by Adidas, Gap Inc., H&M, ICCO, IFAP, IFC, IKEA, Organic Exchange, Oxfam, PAN UK, and WWF, issues the ecolabel. The organization also addresses the issue of making cotton sustainable by trying to improve production methods, working conditions and the use of fewer pesticides in cultivation of cotton.
Ecotel:

This environmental certification is given to eco sensitive hotels that are committed to environment, water and energy resources, and work towards community involvement. Green and sustainable hotels are given this rating by HVS and these are valid for a period of two years. Five areas are targeted for the certification- environmental commitment, waste management, energy efficiency, water conservation and environmental awareness of employee and community involvement.
FairTrade:

The Fairtrade mark is given to organizations that indulge in fair trade principles. It tells the consumers whether the product is fairly traded or not. Fairtrade standards address the imbalance of power in trading relationships, market failures and try to secure a better deal for small producers and agricultural workers. The Fairtrade Indian office is based in Delhi.
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain of Custody Certification:

Promoting responsible forest management is the idea behind this certification. The voluntary certification informs the end user that the product that he is buying has come from well managed forests that protects biodiversity, workers rights and follows the best social and environmental products; In India FSC is based in New Delhi.
Ecomark:

Bureau of Indian standards gives this seal to all consumer products that are eco friendly. The audit takes in to account the complete life cycle of the product right from procuring of raw materials to manufacturing, usage and disposal. The scheme was introduced in India in 1991 but has not been very effective in India considering that not many companies have obtained this label.
Green Globe Certification:

Travel and Tourism industries that indulge in responsible and sustainable tourism are given this certificate. Certified auditors audit these businesses for operational costs, water and energy usages, contribution to local communities and environment, guest experiences etc. Tourist places like Club Mahindra, Munnar, Hotel United 21 etc have the Green Globe label.
UPS Carbon Neutral:

This label is applicable for shipments. It indicates that the green house gas emissions produced during transportation of the shipment has been offset and the package has been made carbon neutral. India is a part of the carbon neutral shipping programme and UPS customers’ part of this programme pay a fee to UPS to calculate their carbon impact and offset it too on their behalf.

Here are some other Eco labels used in India for various products.
BAP

Are the fried fish or the tuna streaks that you consume sustainably sourced and safe? Best Aqua cultural Practises (BAP) checks this out for you by addressing the animal welfare, food safety, traceability and environmental practises involved in the aquaculture facilities.
Better Environmental Sustainability Targets (BEST) Standard:

Occupational Knowledge International (OK International), a non profit organization works towards reducing Lead emissions and eco friendly recycling of used batteries. It manages the Better Environmental Sustainability Targets (BEST) certification that recognizes the lead battery manufacturers that meet minimum emission standards and also recycle the used lead batteries.
Bio Suisse

This label guarantees that the product is fully organic and is produced in Switzerland. Bio Suisse, a private body is the federation of Swiss organic farmers and has more than 30 organic farms and about 6300 farms involved in organic production.
Bonsucro:

Bonsucro certification is a measure of sustainable sugar cane production and its derivatives. The certification is the first global metric standard for sugarcane relying on specific indicators to measure the environmental and social impact of the sugarcane production, it’s processing and milling.
Carbon Neutral Certification:

Versus Carbon Neutral is the organization responsible for this certification. The organization certifies business operations as Carbon Neutral by auditing their annual carbon foot print, suggest ways to offset their footprint and certify the business as Carbon Neutral if they are able to offset their entire carbon footprint.
NATRUE Label:

The International Natural and Organic Association issue this label for cosmetic products which use natural organic ingredients and indulge in environmental friendly practises.
EarthCheck:

Sustainable and tourism operators who minimize their social and environmental foot print and promote sustainable initiatives are given the EarthCheck environmental certification.
EPEAT:

EPEAT which stands for Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool is a rating system for greener electronics. Products like Computers, TV, printers, scanners, fax machines etc are rated under this. Things like recycle, disposal, product design, energy efficiency, packaging etc are assessed and given a rating of gold, silver or bronze depending upon the number of environmental criteria they have met.
GEO Certified:

It is an eco label for golf development and clubs that are sustainable and are continuously involved in environmental quality, people and communities. GEO Certification is managed by the Golf Environment Organization, a non profit organization working towards sustainability in the sport of golf.
WQA Gold Seal:

How will you know if your filter is a quality water treatment product? The Water Quality Association Gold Seal program offers this certification on all products and chemicals that use drinking water like plumbing components, filters, water softeners, reverse osmosis system etc.

Apart from these, there are also ISO 14000 certifications awarded to organizations that follow environmental laws and regulations, and control their environmental impact.

The unfortunate fact is that labelling creates as much confusion as it seeks to distinguish products. Given the vast array of labels that are prevalent, it is all too easy for dubious brands to proliferate greenwashing practices creating distrust in the mind of customers and reducing the credibility of the industry itself. Triple Pundit, a sustainability online magazine, says that fewer eco-labels is what will help the sustainable product industry flourish:


With any industry, in the early days there tends to be a proliferation of companies vying for dominance, while over time, competition and merger activity narrows the field to just a few that become household name brands. Perhaps with eco-labeling, this is what is happening now. If consumers can reliably begin to attach credible association with fewer well known and well understood labels, greenwashing companies will cease to have a place to hide out – and industries in the business of sustainable products and services will be the better off for it.

Do you look for an eco-label while buying a product? Tell us by leaving a comment here.