About Environmental Choice.
In New Zealand, Environmental Choice is the official environmental labelling programme. This programme, which commenced in 1992, operates independently from the government but the label is government owned and endorsed. Since 1992, the government has financially supported the scheme, both directly and indirectly. Approximately $1.35 million has been spent.
The objectives of the programme are:
- Improve the quality of the environment by encouraging more sustainable processes through e.g. the design, production, marketing, & use of products which have a reduced environment impact during their entire life cycle.
- Offer a credible national and/or regional (e.g. Australasian) programme for environmental labelling;
- Work towards compliance with recognised international programmes and principles;
- Foster and develop international relationships with relevant recognised international networks and other ecolabelling programmes/initiatives;
- Establish mutual recognition agreements with other similar programmes;
- Work towards the harmonisation of national and/or international product specifications;
- Provide a clear, credible and independent guide to help consumers (including business consumers) identify products and services that are less harmful to the environment;
- Provide a market incentive to manufacturers, suppliers and retailers of environmentally preferable products and services;
- Encourage manufacturers, suppliers and retailers to develop products and processes that are in compliance with published product specifications;
- Promote responsible procurement policies by central and local government, other organisations and business;
- Establish and maintain strategic relationships with government, business and non government organisations which have common environmental and product performance interests.
Environmental Choice has published a number of product specifications. These specifications are reviewed periodically and new ones are being developed all the time.
