The implementation of environmental seals in the industry is a decision to contribute to the conservation of the environment, and incidentally, make a difference to offer a product.
by Julián Restrepo*
At present, more and more "environmental" or "ecological" products are on the market, and they are so called because, in most cases, they include a seal or logo that certifies them or at least, identifies them as "green", this identification being known as "eco-label", but, Do we really know its meaning? [1], who issues or approves the use of this type of stamp?
Perhaps these logos can be part of the solution to the need for environmental improvement that different industries must carry out [2], as well as face the growing pressure due to the increasing legislation that has emerged to regulate the different productive sectors and consumer products.
The paints and coatings industry is no stranger to this problem and it is not surprising that commercially the marketing departments of these companies seek to achieve a competitive advantage through the sale of "green products", with "ecological awareness", or simply, with "concern for environmental problems", which in the eyes of today's demanding consumers, can constitute an important letter of introduction for companies that want to show their work in the field of social responsibility and environmental concern.
In this sense, in recent years various studies reflect the growing willingness of consumers to pay for products that fall within the category of "green". That is, products that have a lower environmental impact than comparable conventional ones, either by the use in their production process of technologies that generate less polluting emissions or waste, by the use of recycled inputs or by the existing commitment in the disposal of the waste that the consumption of these products generates. From the point of view of companies, this predisposition of consumers generates incentives to invest in "clean" technologies whenever this translates into greater demand for their products [3].
The problem in this regard arises because the market fails to provide reliable information about the environmental quality of the goods it offers. Eco-labelling seems like a good environmental policy strategy to alleviate these information problems. However, two questions arise in this regard: first, is this measure really efficient in reducing the impacts of economic activity on the environment? and, secondly, if it is efficient from the logic of business rationality? [4].
Eco-labels and their history, in brief
The origins of ecolabels can be found in the growing global awareness of protecting the environment by governments, businesses and the general public. Initially and especially in the so-called developed countries, some companies recognized that this global awareness could generate a competitive advantage for certain products, then labels were included with expressions such as "recyclable", "low energy consumption", "of vegetable origin" and "recycled content".
These labels appealed to consumers who saw them as a way to reduce environmental impacts through their consumption habits. However, confusion was induced, as in the absence of standard and research guides by third parties, consumers could not ensure the veracity of the claims made in the products.
This is how, unfortunately, many of these ecolabels are not properly regulated, which has meant that with the argument of obtaining commercial advantages, there is a proliferation of a multitude of products with various ecolabels, many of them even particular to the same companies, which causes a lot of misinformation to be generated in the consumer, but in many cases, it ends up being a buying argument for him, even if he doesn't understand its meaning well.
Types of eco-labels [5]
In order to solve this communicative problem between society and the market in terms of environmentally friendly consumption, three different types of ecolabels have been officially defined:
- Type I labels: also known as ecolabels, they are voluntary environmental rating systems that officially identify and certify that certain products or services have a lower impact on the environment. The applicable ISO standard for this type of label is ISO 14024. Basically, an ecolabel is a label that identifies a product's overall preferences within a product category based on ACL considerations. In this way, the main environmental characteristics of the product are recognized more easily than the environmental quantification of data.
Ecolabels are awarded by an impartial third party, which acts as a certifying entity. Eco-labelled products meet important environmental criteria. Food, beverages and pharmaceutical products, as well as substances or preparations that are dangerous or manufactured by means of processes harmful to people or the environment, are explicitly excluded.
- Environmental self-declarations or type II labels: there are many companies and associations that use motifs related to nature, environmental protection, etc., however, in many cases this information is not entirely true, or it is not sufficiently clear to which part or parts of the manufacturing process, or the raw material, or the distribution are those that are rigorous with the environment.
These are informative self-declarations of environmental aspects of products to consider them as ecological products. They are made by the manufacturer itself in the form of texts, symbols or graphics and require responsibility for compliance with the content of the information, such as labels on the product on the packaging, product literature, technical bulletins, notices, advertising, telemarketing, digital or electronic media and the Internet. This type of declaration is not susceptible, although it is preferable, to a certification of an independent third party. The specific requirements of this type of label are included in the ISO 14021 standard.
Just as the use of type I labels involves the use of a characteristic badge, the use of symbols in type II labels is optional. The main requirements that these types of symbols must meet are that they must be simple, easily distinguished from other symbols and symbols of natural objects must not be used, unless there is a direct and verifiable relationship between the object and the declared advantage.
- Environmental product declarations or type III labels: the type III label is defined as an inventory of "quantified environmental data of a product with preset parameter categories, based on the ISO 14040 series of standards, referring to the LCA. This does not preclude additional environmental information provided within a type III environmental declaration programme." This is quantitative environmental information based on different standards and in a comprehensive manner. The specific requirements of this type of label are included in the ISO 14025 standard.
In this regard, a classification and brief explanation of what some of these labels and seals mean in different industrial sectors (including the paints and coatings sector) and places around the world will be presented below:
1. Forestry and paper industry certifications [2]:
FSC Seal
The Forest Stewarship Council is an international, non-profit, non-governmental accreditation and certification organization based in Germany (created in 1993) that supports and promotes environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and economically viable forest management in forests around the world [6]. The seal guarantees that the virgin fibre used in the paper or wood products comes from sustainably managed forests (does not include recycled paper). It does not impose any requirements on manufacturing, but it is the most demanding in the environmental conditions imposed on forestry exploitations.
Recycled FSC seal
FSC seal created for recycled paper. It certifies that the paper or wood product has been manufactured with 100% recycled material, but in addition, that the recycled fiber comes from post-consumption, that is, it has had a previous use (the pre-consumption fiber comes from printing cuts or production surpluses that have not been consumed). It does not impose criteria on chemicals or consumption [6].
PEFC Seal
Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, which is an international, non-profit and non-governmental organization, being considered the certification system for small forest producers [7]. It is a seal similar to that of the FSC, but driven by the forestry industry itself and with less demanding criteria. Certifies that the paper or wood product comes from virgin fiber from properly managed farms (not used for recycled paper). It aims to ensure that the world's forests are managed responsibly and sustainably.
PCF Seal
Processed Chlorine free. Certification for paper products requiring that the bleaching agents used in the paper production cycle be free of chlorinated compounds. It is difficult for a recycled paper to have a TCF seal of "totally free of chlorine", since it is not known what has happened in the other "lives" of that fiber, but at least it allows to regulate the last stage of manufacture of this.
ECF Seal
Elemental Chlorine free. Logo informing that the paper has been bleached without using elemental chlorine (liquid). Not to be confused with the TCF (Totally Chlorine Free) seal, which indicates that the virgin paper has used absolutely no chlorine.
TCF Seal
Totally Chlorine free. This logo indicates that the paper has undergone a completely chlorine-free manufacturing process. Sometimes the seal includes the name "ecological paper", which is misleading, since it only takes into account the use or not of chlorine, but not other environmental aspects.
Seal of Infinity
Long-life, is based on the ISO 9706 standard that specifies that the life of the paper product will have a certain duration. This badge appears as a response to criticism for the short life of the first recycled papers launched on the market.
Fair Wood Seal
Madera Justa is an independent Spanish awareness campaign to promote the responsible consumption of forest derivatives, such as paper or wood, certified with the FSC seal, "Fairtrade" products, and products with a double guarantee: FSC + Fair Trade, among companies, public administrations, NGOs, educational centers and society in general [8].
DGQA Seal
The Environmental Quality Guarantee of Catalonia is an environmental seal of Catalonia for all types of products. The paper bearing this quality label contains a minimum of 10% virgin fibre from certified forests (with the FSC or PEFC seals). It does not allow the use of chlorine for bleaching or certain chemicals. It also limits emissions, but not water or energy consumption [2].
Note: In the next edition we will continue to present the different environmental seals that involve the paints and coatings industry.
References
[1] Revista Viva, a publication of Viva Colombia. Edition 6, December 2012; pp. 38–39.
[2] http://www.grafous.com/sellos-ambientales-%C2%BFnecesitamos-tantos/
[3] a) Arora, S. and Cason, T.N. (1996): "Why Do Firms Volunteer to Exceed Environmental Regulations? Understanding Participation in EPAs 33/50 Program", Land Economics No. 72(4): pp. 413-432; (b) Bjomer, T.B; Hansen, L.G. and Russell, C.S. (2004): "Environmental Labelling and Consumer's Choice-An Empirical Analysis of the Effect of the Nordic Swan," Journal of Environmetal Economics and Management, No. 47, pp. 411-434; c) Bougherara, D. and Grolleau, P. (2004): "Could Ecolabelling Mitigate Market Failures? An Analysis Applied to Agrofood Products?". Cesaer Working Papers. No. 3, 2004.
[4] Document on the Internet: Ecolabeling An efficient instrument of environmental policy? ResearchGate
[5] http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etiquetas_ecol%C3%B3gicas
[6] http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consejo_de_Administraci%C3%B3n_Forestal
[7] (a) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Programme_for_the_Endorsement_of_Forest_Certification; (b) http://www.pefc.org/
[8] http://maderajusta.org/que-es-madera-justa/
* M.Sc. Ph.D. Julián A. Restrepo R., Factory Service of PPG Industries Colombia, [email protected]
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