Consumer Information and Ecolabelling

Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG 12), titled "responsible consumption and production" sets a precedent for empowering consumers to make informed decisions about their consumption habits. Ecolabelling is a method of providing information about the environmental impact of a product or service. Ecolabels can effectively enhance positive consumer choices as customers become more driven to be more environmentally conscientious in their purchase decisions. This method of consumer information can have a dual impact, not only empowering consumers but can also pressure businesses to alter their production methods to demonstrate that they are environmentally conscious.  However, as a result of the growing popularity of self-declared ecolabelling, worries about 'greenwashing' and inflated marketing claims have arisen.  Consequently, there is a growing demand for internationally agreed-upon and harmonised labelling techniques and standards to provide a fair and equal playing field.

To be classed as an 'Ecolabel' (formerly Type I), an ecolabel must meet the requirements of the DIN EN ISO 14024 standard established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). In summary, 'Ecolabel' (formerly Type I), is a “voluntary, multiple-criteria based, third party programme that awards a license which authorises the use of environmental labels on products indicating overall environmental preferability of a product within a particular product category based on life cycle considerations”. The key principle of Ecolabel (formerly Type I) is that a third party sets the criteria and grants licence to use the label, making them verifiable. The criteria must also enable products to be distinguished by measurable environmental impact(s) with reference to product life cycle and performance.