2./3.07.2007 Dr. Hans-Hermann Eggers, Federal Environment Agency, Ecolabel Blue Angel

The Exemple of the Blue Angel: strengths and weaknesses of the oldest ecolabel in the world

1

Enabling developing countries to seizeecolabel opportunities

First Steering Committee Meeting

2-3 July 2007 UNEP Paris

2./3.07.2007 Dr. Hans-Hermann Eggers, Federal Environment Agency, Ecolabel Blue Angel 2

The Blue Angel Ecolabel Scheme

First Ecolabel Scheme for products and services related to environmental and consumer protection in the world – 1978Blue Angel was a basic innovation in environmental policy1986 responsibility transferred to the German Federal Ministry of the Environment

2./3.07.2007 Dr. Hans-Hermann Eggers, Federal Environment Agency, Ecolabel Blue Angel

The Blue Angel is...

• A voluntary instrument to promote product relatedinnovations

• A benchmark for productperformance– Environmental protection– Health protection– Workplace safety– Product safety and fitness

for use

3

2./3.07.2007 Dr. Hans-Hermann Eggers, Federal Environment Agency, Ecolabel Blue Angel 4

The Blue Angel is...

• A guidance for green publicprocurement

• A reference point for private/public environmentalcommunication and marketing

• A common platform for product related information

• A well known orientation for consumers

2./3.07.2007 Dr. Hans-Hermann Eggers, Federal Environment Agency, Ecolabel Blue Angel 55

1. Political initiative• Longterm commitments

2. (legal)Constitution• by decree• by convention• by delegation/contract

3. Institutional setting• Owner• Decision makers• Operational units

4. Management and Procedures• Guidelines• Rules of Procedures• Contracts

Legal and Institutional Setting

2./3.07.2007 Dr. Hans-Hermann Eggers, Federal Environment Agency, Ecolabel Blue Angel

Criteria for Blue Angel products / award procedure and involved parties

BMUProgr. holder

Decision Level

Ecolabelling BoardDecision body (3rd P.)

Programme Level

UBACriteria development.

and revision

Administration Level

RALEcolabelling body

Interested PartiesConsultants

Test labsAssociations

First PartySupplier

Applicants

Second PartyConsumerPurchaser

2./3.07.2007 Dr. Hans-Hermann Eggers, Federal Environment Agency, Ecolabel Blue Angel 7

Ministry for the Environment Federal Environmental Agency (UBA)

Independent Ecolabelling Board

Jury Umweltzeichen

RAL – German Institute for Quality Assurance and Certification

environmental groups (2)

industry (1)

trade (1)

handcrafts (1)

trade unions (1)

consumer groups (2)

churches (1)

media (1)

science (1)

Federal States of Germany (2)Muncipalities (1)

The Institutional Setting of the Blue Angel

2./3.07.2007 Dr. Hans-Hermann Eggers, Federal Environment Agency, Ecolabel Blue Angel 8

Product cluster of the Blue Angel

2./3.07.2007 Dr. Hans-Hermann Eggers, Federal Environment Agency, Ecolabel Blue Angel

Statistics

June 2007:• 3564 products and services with the Blue Angel • 523 applicants• 77 criteria lists

010002000300040005000

198219841986198819901992199419961998200020022004

Produkte ZN

2006

E1

Slide 9

E1 Nach Kampagne "Aktion Blau" 2003 ist ein leichter Anstieg der Zahl der BE-Produktr zu beobachten. Die Kampagne 2007/2008 soll diesen Trend verstärken.Auch international beachtet: BE belegt weltweit vorderen Platz. Eggers,Hans-Hermann, 6/29/2007

2./3.07.2007 Dr. Hans-Hermann Eggers, Federal Environment Agency, Ecolabel Blue Angel

New ecolabels since 2005

• mattresses (RAL-UZ 119)

• flexible floor coverings (RAL-UZ 120)

• energy-efficient heat pumps using an electrically poweredcompressor (RAL-UZ 121)

• low-emission sealants for interior use (RAL-UZ 123)

• energy-efficient hot water tanks (RAL-UZ 124)

• baby monitors (RAL-UZ 125 - Nov. 2006)

• carbon dioxide cleaning services (RAL-UZ 126 - Nov. 2006)

2./3.07.2007 Dr. Hans-Hermann Eggers, Federal Environment Agency, Ecolabel Blue Angel 11

Road ahead

• Further conceptional development and re-shapeportfolio to anticipate actual policy developments

• Streamlined institutional procedures

• Reduce operational costs

• Increase synergies and develop added-valuestrategies

• Increase European and international cooperation

2./3.07.2007 Dr. Hans-Hermann Eggers, Federal Environment Agency, Ecolabel Blue Angel 12

Blue Angel and the European Ecolabel - Objectives

• Transfer benchmarks and experience from the Blue Angel into the further development of the EU Flower

• Help to promote a commonunderstanding of Ecolabelling in Europe

• Increase synergies throughco-operation and harmonization– Criteria development– Communication– procedures

Harmonization

Co-operation

2./3.07.2007 Dr. Hans-Hermann Eggers, Federal Environment Agency, Ecolabel Blue Angel 13

International Co-operation

Example:Core criteria development for MFDwithin the Global EcolabellingNetwork (GEN),

steps in cooperation:

(1) information + communication

(2) mutual recognition of test methods and test reports

(3) recognition of core criteria

2./3.07.2007 Dr. Hans-Hermann Eggers, Federal Environment Agency, Ecolabel Blue Angel

Bilateral Cooperation with the Chinese EcolabelApril 2007

2./3.07.2007 Dr. Hans-Hermann Eggers, Federal Environment Agency, Ecolabel Blue Angel

• Ecolabel activities are strategical longterm investments that need– Political commitment– Governmental support– Institutional capacity building (e. g. criteria development,

certification, marketing), step-by-step with clear focus– Portfolio management (product range)– creating Public-Private-Partnerships/improving participation of

companies and civil society– improve environmental communication– stimulate co-operation and coordination with other systems/tools– Overcome the splitting of initiatives, stimulate synergies– understand target market dynamics and consumer insides– Brand development and joint marketing in target markets as

complementary measure (e. g. PPP model with retailers in Europe)

15

Resumee

2./3.07.2007 Dr. Hans-Hermann Eggers, Federal Environment Agency, Ecolabel Blue Angel

Thank you for your attention

Dr. Hans-Hermann Eggers"Umweltkennzeichnung, Umweltdeklaration,

Umweltfreundliche Beschaffung"Mail: Postfach 1406, D-06813 DessauE-Mail: hans-hermann.eggers@uba.de

FON: + 49 340 2103 3831FAX: + 49 340 2104 3831