The EcoLogo Program certifies and recognizes products and services that are environmentally preferable. It develops and promotes higher standards of environmental performance against which products and services can be assessed. These higher standards are called “Certification Criteria Documents” (or CCDs) and contain the exact environmental and performance requirements an applicant must meet to become EcoLogo certified.
The development of EcoLogo certification criteria is a multi-step process involving purchasers, environmental groups, industry, consumers and consumer groups, academia, government, and other interested groups. As a “Type I ecolabel” (as defined by the International Organization for Standardization in the standard ISO 14024), criteria are developed using a life-cycle approach, meaning all stages of the process - from raw material extraction through production to the final disposal of the product - are evaluated. EcoLogo is North America’s only ecolabel to successfully be assessed against ISO 4024 by the Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN), making EcoLogo a valuable, trustworthy and globally recognized multi-attribute label.
The criteria development and review process is scientifically rigorous and robust, and guided by the principles of transparency and openness. The process begins with a critical evaluation of the environmental profile of the product/service type of interest. Stakeholder input during the criteria development process and public consultation on draft criteria constitute a large part of the development process, and are essential to the Program’s success.
All draft and final criteria documents are publicly available. (Click here to see EcoLogo certification criteria)
Key steps in the Criteria Development & Review Process:
Stage 1 – Defining the product / service category and its environmental and market profile
This initial stage in the development/review process helps increase the understanding of environmental and market details related to the product / service category by:
- Distinguishing the various options available in the market, how these products are used, and what their specific functions are;
- Identifying key stakeholders;
- Researching market details; and
- Documenting life-cycle based environmental impacts for the product.
Stage 2 – Proposing Drafts
The research performed in Stage 1 is complied and synthesized into an initial draft criteria document by:
- Proposing criteria in areas that distinguish environmental leadership for the product / service of interest;
- Meeting the EcoLogo principle of identifying better environmental choices – setting criteria levels such that approximately 20% of the products / services within a category can achieve certification;
- Setting quantifiable and verifiable criteria;
- Ensuring definitions and test methods are consistent and in line with international norms; and
- Relying on stakeholder input and expertise.
Stage 3 – Stakeholder consultation
To ensure a balanced review and vetting of all criteria, stakeholders from a wide range of perspectives are selected to actively participate in and contribute to the criteria development process. In particular, participants are sought from environmental groups, purchasers, relevant industry members and associations, consumers and consumer groups, academia, government and regulatory bodies, and other interested or related groups. Through a series of meetings or teleconferences, these stakeholders contribute to this initial draft development and subsequent draft revision stages.
Stage 4 – Iterative Consultation and Draft Revision
To ensure ongoing transparency of the development and consultation process, the resulting consultation draft document is made available to the public and other stakeholders for comment through posting on the EcoLogo website for a four to eight week long review period. (Click here to see draft criteria posted for public comment)
At the end of this period, a commentary report (including responses to all comments) is prepared and made available to all stakeholders and other interested parties. Through an iterative process, the commentary draft is revise and further stakeholder comments are sought until a certification criteria document is finalized.
Stage 5 – Final Criteria Document and Ongoing Maintenance
In addition to facilitating the development of criteria, the team of EcoLogo criteria development professionals ensure the criteria are regularly updated and represent current environmental leadership in an ever changing market. Any EcoLogo criteria document may be reviewed at any time if significant technical or market developments occur that justify a revision. This could include manufacturing, technology, scientific, regulatory and/or market shifts that have occurred since the criteria were originally developed or last revised. Nevertheless, criteria documents are reviewed every three years to ensure their continued relevance and stringency, and may be reconfirmed, revised or revoked. This revision follows the process described above, and includes consultation with licensed companies and the broader range of stakeholder groups and interested parties.
Through continual improvement, EcoLogo helps to guide industry further in the direction of environmental sustainability and provide purchasers with even better environmental choices.
