Eco Mark Product Category No. 501“Retail Stores Version 2.3”
Certification Criteria- Applicable ScopeRetail stores classified as “Division I - Wholesale and Retail Trade, Majorgroup 56-60,” of Japan Standard Industrial Classification (Ministry ofInternal Affairs and Communications)

Established:

March 1, 2019Japan Environment Association

Last revised:

August 1, 2024

Eco Mark Office

Expiration date:February 28, 2031

NOTE: This document is a translation of the criteria written in Japanese.
of dispute, the original document should be taken as authoritative.

In the event

501 Criteria V2

Eco Mark Product Category No.501 “Retail Stores Version2.3” Certification Criteria
Japan Environment Association
Eco Mark Office1.

Purpose of Establishing Criteria

Omitted.
2.

Applicable scope

Retail stores classified as “Division I - Wholesale and Retail Trade, Major group56-60,” of Japan Standard Industrial Classification (Ministry of Internal Affairsand Communications)3.

Terminology

For the terms used herein, their concepts, etc. are provided in footnotes and theInterpretation.
4.

Certification Criteria and Certification Procedure

The certification criteria consist of mandatory items that must be met and optional
items that may be selected according to the store's actions, for each of the 6
evaluation categories specified in Table 1. The requirements for certification arelisted in Table 1. For each evaluation category, “Other” may be selected up to three
to apply unique environmental initiatives. The examination committee decides
whether the initiative applied under “Other” is equivalent to or better than otheritems.
Table 1 Evaluation categories and points (p)No.

Evaluation category

Mandatory item

Optional item
(maximum points)

1

Sale of eco-friendly products

2 item9items(11 p)

2

Environmental communication

1 item9items( 9 p)

3

Waste reduction and recycling

1 item9items(12 p)

4

Energy and water saving

1 item9items(12 p)

5

Efficient distribution－10items(10 p)

6

Eco-friendly store operation

1 item9items( 9 p)

Total

6 items

55items(63 p)

Requirement for certification

Mandatory 6p + Optional 26p (at(selling food and beverages)(not selling food and beverages)

minimum)
Mandatory 6p + Optional 21p (atminimum)

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501 Criteria V2[Certification procedure common to each item] In order to prove conformance to respective criteria items, submit theattached certificate as well as materials, photographs and/or explanatory
documents that can certify conformance to the criteria, with reference to theinterpretation.
 For application of multiple stores at one time, in principle, only the criteria
item that all applying stores meet can be selected. If there is a special reason
why any stores cannot meet the criteria for unavoidable reasons, informationor documents explaining the reasons thereof shall be submitted.
 On-site inspection (including online inspection) will be conducted during thecertification examination to verify theimplementation status.

Forapplication of multiple stores at one time, the inspection will be conducted
ontheadministrative

sectionthatspearheads

commoninitiatives(headquarters, etc.), as well as a representative store among those named inthe application.
 Conformance or non-conformance to criteria items shall be evaluated asfollows, in principle.
➢

The degree of an initiative such as quantity or frequency is irrelevant.
However, conditions specified in the certification criteria or theinterpretation must be followed.

➢An evaluation will be made as to any initiatives already put intopractice. If it is impossible to grasp the performance because the store
is newly opened, a specific plan (materials, documents, etc. thatsupport effectiveness) shall be submitted and an evaluation shall bemade on the condition that the achievement of the plan is reported ona later date.

➢A decision will be made as to whether the applicant takes theinitiative. (Initiatives addressed by a different operator such as afranchisee or a tenant are out of the scope of evaluation.) If the store under application has a tenant(s), it is required that criteria items(21) Waste control, (31) Energy control and (51) Compliance to the law must
be met by the store itself and all tenants, in principle. If this cannot beconfirmed with a tenant for an unavoidable reason, information, documents,etc. explaining the reason thereof shall be submitted.

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501 Criteria V2

4-1. Sale of eco-friendly products[mandatory item](1)

Environmentally friendly products* are sold.
environmentally friendly products: products using recycled materials,
plant-based plastics, organic cotton, etc., ecolabelling products and foodsuch as Eco Mark, forest certification, organic agricultural products(organic JAS mark), etc.

(61) Either effort of “Ingenious ways to provide” or “Product ingenuity” of“Rational Use of Products using specified plastics” shall be conductedwhen providing a plastic product that falls under products using

Item
Added
on July
1, 2022

specified plastics (12 items)"stipulated in the Act on Promotion of
Resource Recycling Related to Plastics.
[optional item](2)

Cooperation to bring a reusable shopping bag or to ask a simple[1p]

packaging is encouraged(3)

Sales are being conducted by promoting the use of environmental[1p]

friendly containers and packaging, saving their weight or simplifying
them.
(4)

If Eco Mark certified products are sold, the number of products handled
by category (commodities and household articles, stationery and officesupplies, etc. excluding services) must meet the table below.
Number of Eco Markcertified products sold

[1p~3p]

Point to be added(by category)

1 item1p

2 or more items

2pNote) Points are added by category, but only up to 3 points are obtainable in (4).

Category > https://www.ecomark.jp/search/genre_search.php(5)

The applicant develops and/or markets environmental friendly products[1p]such as Eco Mark certified products.
(6)

A sustainable procurement policy (which is quantitative) for agricultural[1p]*

products, livestock products, fishery products and palm oil products soldin the store has been developed and the initiative for the policy hascommenced.
(7)

Cooperation is being extended to an initiative contributing to a
reduction in environmental load across the entire food chain, such as3/13[1p]*

501 Criteria V2

easing delivery deadlines to reduce food loss (review of one-third rules,etc.)(8)- (10) Other ※ (1 point per 1 activity, maximum 3 items)[1peach]*Points given if conformance is attained as the company※

Other referential keywords: promotion of local production for local consumption, expansion of ambient
temperatures sales such as beverages, voluntary ban on excessive demonstration of electric appliances,a policy of prohibiting the use of disposable plastic containers and packaging, publication of refusal
rate and reduction amount of plastic shopping bags, sale of used or recycled products, etc.

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501 Criteria V24-2. Environmental communication[mandatory item](11) Information that details the environmental activities the store isworking on, is transmitted through notices and website.
[optional item](12) The significance and purchase advantages of environmental friendly[1p]

products are communicated in an understandable manner in a special
corner or at the POP.
(13) The applicant participates / cooperates in local volunteer activities, such[1p]*as cleanup activities.
(14) Smoking is prohibited all day long in the store property[1p](15) Environmental education opportunities are provided such as[1p]*

agricultural experience and a tour to a recycling facility.
(16) The use of transportation means of low environmental load is being[1p]

promoted, such as by providing a port for bicycle-sharing and a plug-instation. (For application of multiple stores, it is acceptable if any one of
the stores is working on such an initiative.)(17) A habitat is developed to provide a resting place for wildlife, such as[1p]

roof-top greening and/or biotope development. (For application ofmultiple stores, it is acceptable if any one of the stores is working onsuch an initiative.)(18) –(20) Other ※(1 point per 1 activity, maximum 3 items)[1peach]*Points given if conformance is attained as the company※ Other referential keywords：Partnership or cooperation with a food bank or children’s food service,fund-raising or environmental protection activities, exhibition at a local environmental fair, sharing
of information or awareness on environmental issues with other companies (use of a store association) )5/13

501 Criteria V24-3. Waste reduction and recycling[mandatory item](21) The generation of waste and the types of waste generated from thestore(s) are understood. (The applicant understands the generation
status including those of franchisees and tenants.)[optional item](22) General waste from business activities is properly disposed under[1p]

written contract with a disposal operator.
(23) Containers, packaging and used products (small electric appliances,[1p]

used clothes, etc.) are collected at the shopfront and recycled incompliance with the laws, ordinances, etc.
(24) Information indicating the amount and recycling status of containers,[1p]

packaging and resources collected is provided through notices.
(25) Repair requests are received for products sold at the store.

[1p](26) The status of food waste generation is evaluated by comparison to the[1p]*previous year and on the basis of original unit and, furthermore, specificgoals and plans have been established to reduce food waste.
An operator who qualifies as a food retailer under the Food Recycling Laworhas achieved the goal for food waste reduction shown in the table below.

[2p]*Category of businessWaste generation per sales

Grocery stores (Various food retail)44.9 kg/mil. yen

Meat stores, except poultry and egg

40.0 kg/mil. yen

Confectioneries and bakeries

76.1 kg/ mil. yen

Convenience stores44.1 kg/ mil. yen(27) The recycling rate of recyclable food waste under the Food Recycling[1p]*

Law exceeds the standard rate set in the previous year for each operator(If it is 80% or more, maintenance and enhancement).
The recycling rate goal for food retail shown in the table below has beenorsatisfied.
Recycling rate

Point

[2p]*

60% or more

2por80% or more

3p[3p]*(28) –(30)Other ※ (1 point per 1 activity, maximum 3 items)[1peach]* Points given if conformance is attained as the company

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501 Criteria V2※ Other referential keywords ： The amount of waste weighed every day by each store, demand
forecasting utilizing big data, certification of a recycling business plan (food recycling/loopestablishment), education on dissemination for promotion of small electric appliance recycling,
recycling of POP materials, etc.

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501 Criteria V24-4. Energy and water saving[mandatory item](31) Energy consumption at the store (electricity, gas, water, etc.) is grasped.
(The applicant understands the generation status including those offranchisees and tenants.)[optional item](32) Daily energy- / water-saving measures, such as switch on/off rules, are[1p]clearly indicated via posters, manuals, etc.
(33) Heat source, lighting equipment and air-conditioners, etc. are regularly[1p]cleaned and inspected to maintain operating efficiency.
(34) Efforts to raise the environmental awareness by visualizing changes in[1p]energy consumption / cost with graphs, etc. are made.
(35) Energy-saving equipment has been introduced when purchasing or[1preplacing with new equipment used in the store. Or, there is a specific~3p]

introduction plan (timing, quantity, type, etc.) [1p per each category below(max3p.)]Category

Lighting
airconditio

Example of energy-saving equipment

point

LED, human sensing sensor, etc.

1p

Air-conditioners, etc.* that excel in energy-saving

1pperformance, etc.

ner
fridge,Refrigerators, freezers, fridge-freezers, showcases,freezeretc. (including fluorocarbon-free type) that excel in

1penergy-saving performance*Note) A product for which the energy-saving standard achievement rate is not lessthan 100% under the current Act on the Rational Use of Energy or a productintroduced in the manufacturer's latest brochure, etc. as conforming to the Act on
Promotion of Procurement of Eco-Friendly Goods and Services by the State andOther Entities.

(36) Water-saving equipment has been introduced, such as water-saving disc[1p]and water-saving type hydrants and toilets. Or, there is a specificintroduction plan (timing, quantity, type, etc.)(37) The status of energy consumption is evaluated by comparison to theprevious year and on the basis of original unit and, furthermore, specificgoals and plans have been established to reduce the energy

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consumption.
Furthermore, the following (1) goal to strive for or (2) Benchmark goal has[2p]*been achieved.
(1) Goal to strive for: reduce at least 1% in annual average in the energy
consumption per-unit for the last 5 fiscal years.
(2) Benchmark goal: level to be strived for by the operator in the medium tolong term as established in the target business type/area of the benchmarksystem(38) –(40)Other ※ (1 point per 1 activity, maximum 3 items)[1peach]* Points given if conformance is attained as the company※ Other referential keywords ： Participation in an Cool Share initiative practiced by the local
government, implementation of demand monitoring, conducting of energy-saving audits, installationof solar or wind power generation equipment, heat insulation of windows and walls, roof-top greening
and wall surface greening, use of rain water, obtaining ISO50001 certification, etc.

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501 Criteria V24-5. Efficient distribution[optional item](41) Returnable containers and packaging materials (use of a returnable box,

[1p]

hanged delivery, etc.) are used.
(42) Eco-friendly driving is promoted through periodic training and[1p]*management of driving records.
(43) When delivering packages, a mechanism or system is in place to reduce[1p]*re-deliveries.
(44) Eco-friendly vehicles have been introduced as home delivery vehicles[1p]*and trucks.
(45) Freight forwarders who have obtained the Green Management[1p]*

Certification are used.
(46) Joint delivery is pursued with group companies and other companies,[1p]*

and a warehouse/logistic center is shared.
(47) A consistent logistic network that combines delivery work with returned[1p]*

products and recalls has been established (use of reverse logistics incompliance with laws, ordinances, etc.).
(48) -(50)Other ※ (1 point per 1 activity, maximum 3 items)[1peach]* Points given if conformance is attained as the company※ Other referential keywords: use of BDF, use of recycled tire, introduction of modal shift, calculationof greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 3 emissions) from the entire supply chain, etc.

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501 Criteria V24-6. Eco-friendly store operation[mandatory item](51) The store complies with the applicable environmental laws andregulations, etc. (including municipal ordinances) (The applicantunderstands the compliance status including those of franchisees andtenants.)[optional item](52) All employees are educated and trained as necessary to carry out[1p]environmental initiatives.
(53) A basic policy on environmental activities has established[1p]*(environmental targets and action plan).
(54) An internal standard has been established to preferentially purchase[1p]*environmental-friendly products such as Eco Mark products (stationery,toilet paper, etc.) for goods used in the company.
(55) The store has been certified by a third party's environmental[1p]*

management system, such as Eco-Action 21 or ISO 14001.
(56) After making a sufficient effort to reduce greenhouse gases emitted from[1p]*

the stores, an initiative of carbon offset is being taken.
(57) Publication of specific details to be worked on and establishment of[1p]*numerical goals have been conducted for achieving sustainable
development goals (SDGs).
(58) -(60)Other ※ (1 point per 1 activity, maximum 3 items)[1peach]* Points given if conformance is attained as the company※ Other referential keywords：Introduction of environmental accounting, evaluation of environmental
performance of buildings (stores) with CASBEE and LEED, use of detergents of low environmentalload, Eco First certification, use of thinned wood and FSC certified products in procuremen t ofbuilding materials, establishment of a company standard that is more stringent than the statutory
regulations, participation in RE100, etc.

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501 Criteria V2

5.

Application unit, indication, etc.

(1) The unit of application shall be a single store or chain stores (multiple storesworking on common initiatives in accordance with the policy and manual
established by the headquarters).

When applying for certification of multiple

stores collectively, the applicant shall determine the target stores of the applicationin advance.
(2) The Eco Mark shall be displayed in the store. For the indication specifications,"Guide to Eco Mark Usage for Retail Stores" shall be followed. Examples are asfollows. The facilities certified under Product Category No. 501 “Retail Stores
Version1” may display the conventional certification number and Eco Mark.
[Display example]

エコマーク認定店舗

Note 1) The Eco Mark shall be indicated to show that the subject of certification is the "store". When multiple
stores have been certified, the Eco Mark shall be presented so that the scope of certification is clear.
Note 2）It is acceptable to indicate only pictograms (figures / characters representing the purpose according
to each evaluation category) for which at least 2 points are acquired in each corresponding evaluation
category. (non-applicable pictograms are not displayed.)

March 1, 2019

Established (Version2.0)

September 1, 2020

Revised 4-1(2),4-3(26),(27) (Version2.1)

July 1, 2022

Revised, addition of 4-1.(61) (Version2.2)

March 15, 2024

Extension of Expiration dateAugust 1, 2024

Revised, 5.Application unit, indication, etc. (Version2.3)

February 28, 2031

Expiration date

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501 Criteria V2Certification Criteria of this Product Category shall be revised as needed.

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