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Trade and Industry Department The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Brand Hong Kong - Asia world city
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Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

Ref : EIC 230/4/1

23 October 2000

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 154/00

European Union (EU)* : Revised Community Eco-label Award Scheme

Further to Commercial Information Circular No. 89/00 of 4 July 2000, the European Commission (EC) has adopted a revised Community Eco-label Award Scheme. Among others, the revised Scheme allows direct application for an eco-label by foreign manufacturers and extends the coverage to services in addition to goods. A copy of the regulation on the revised Scheme is appended (pdf format)to this Circular for reference.:

DETAILS

 

  1. The revised Eco-label Award Scheme entered into force on 24 September 2000. In line with the original Scheme, the revised Scheme aims at promoting products that have the potential to reduce negative environmental impacts, thus contributing to the efficient use of resources and a high level of environmental protection. The Scheme remains voluntary in nature. Major revisions introduced include the following -

    1. the scope of the Scheme has been broadened to include services in addition to goods;

    2. in contrast to the original Scheme which was only open for application by the EU manufacturers and importers, the revised Scheme has been extended to service providers, and traders and retailers of products under their own brand names. In addition, third country producers are allowed to apply for an eco-label directly with the competent bodies of the Member States in which the product is to be or has been placed on the market;

    3. the eco-label in the revised Scheme will need to carry one to three brief descriptions on the key environmental performance of the product that lead to the award of the label (e.g. low air pollution, energy efficient, and reduced toxicity);

    4. applications for the award of an eco-label will be subject to payment of a fee relating to the cost of processing the application, and those awarded an eco-label will need to pay an annual fee for the use of the label. A minimum and a maximum fee will be fixed for both the application fee and the annual fee. In the case of small and medium enterprises (SME) and product manufacturers and service providers of developing countries, the application fee and annual fee will be reduced by at least 25%;

    5. the EC will establish a European Union Eco-labelling Board to oversee the operation of the Scheme; and

    6. the existing and new eco-label schemes in the Member States may continue to co-exist with the revised Scheme, and co-operation and co-ordination measures will be established.

  2. While the revised Scheme has replaced the original Scheme, the eco-label criteria developed for different product groups on the basis of the original Scheme will remain in force until they are revised or expire. The EC will review the revised Scheme in the light of its operation before 24 September 2005.

  3. The original Community Eco-label Award Scheme was launched in April 1992 to promote products that have a reduced environmental impact during their entire life cycle and to provide consumers with better information on the environmental impact of products. An eco-label may be awarded to products that comply with the eco-label criteria which include environmental requirements like air and water quality, waste reduction and energy savings, and elements relating to the product's fitness in meeting consumers' needs. Specific eco-label criteria are established according to product groups.

  4. So far, eco-label criteria for fifteen product groups have been developed, viz. tissue paper products, dishwashers, soil improvers, bed mattresses, paints and varnishes, footwear, textile products, personal computers, laundry detergents, detergents for dishwashers, copying paper, light bulbs, portable computers, refrigerators and washing machines.

ENQUIRIES


 

  1. For enquiries about the contents of this Circular, please contact the undersigned at telephone number 2398 5684.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

(Miss Helen YUNG)

for Director-General of Trade and Industry

*: The EU includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.



Note : While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the above information, the Department cannot guarantee this to be so and will not be held liable for any reliance placed on the same.