Eco Mark Product Category No.507“Electricity Plan Version1.0”
Certification Criteria―Applicable Scope―“Low-voltage” electricity plans that electricity retailers abiding by theElectricity Business Act or “intermediary” companies offer to households
and stores.

Established
Expiration date

December 1, 2018
November 30, 2030

Japan Environment Association
Eco Mark Office

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

507V1 Criteria

Eco Mark Product Category No.507 “Electricity Plan Version1.0” Certification Criteria
Japan Environment Association
Eco Mark Office
1. Purpose of Establishing Certification Criteria
Omitted2. Applicable Scope“Low-voltage” electricity plans that electricity retailers abiding by the Electricity
Business Act or “intermediary” companies offer to households and stores.
3. Terminology
Omitted4. Certification Criteria and Certification Procedure
The applicant shall submit the Attached Certificates and related documents to show thecompliance with each criteria item. Note that requirements in this certification criteria
are to meet all the following items: 4-1. (1) to 4-1. (6), and 4-2. (7).
4-1. Environmental Criteria and Certification Procedure(1) The carbon dioxide emission factor (after being adjusted) in the relevant electricity
plan shall be 0.500kg-CO2/kWh or lower.
[Certification Procedure]
Applicants shall include the state of conformity (including the declaration ofcompliance with criteria after certified) to this item in the attached certificate.
Applicants shall also submit a copy of the report by the latest menu based on the“Emission factor to calculate the volume of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions inconjunction with the use of electric power, which is supplied by a third party to
specified emitters as defined in the Act on Promotion of Global WarmingCountermeasures.” The report was submitted to the Ministry of Economy, Trade,and Infrastructure (hereinafter METI) and the Ministry of the Environment(hereinafter MOE) and publicized in accordance with the Act on Promotion of
Global Warming Countermeasures as evidence of the carbon dioxide emission
factor (after being adjusted). However, in case applicants do not provide any
electricity plans, that include different values in 4-1 (1) or (2) other than therelevant plan, they can submit a copy of the report of “the carbon dioxide emission
factor for the business operator (hereinafter Coefficient per Business Operator)”instead. Note that in case applicants provide other electricity plans that include
different values in 4-1 (1) or (2) other than the relevant electricity plan, and theysubmit the Coefficient per Business Operator to METI, they shall submit a copy of
the report of the Coefficient per Business Operator and the documents that

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507V1 Criteria

explain the breakdown per plan.
After certified, applicants shall submit the carbon dioxide emission factor of therelevant electricity plan every year.
(2) The utilization ratio of renewable energy and other power resources in the relevant
electricity plan (their calculation formula is as follows) shall be 20 percent or more.
(Calculation formula)
Utilization ratio of renewable energy and other resources (%) =Used amount of renewable energy and other resources (kWh) in the applied plan:1)+2)+3)+4)
×100
Electricity in the applied plan (kWh)1) Used amount of renewable energy electricity (generated by the company’s own
facility and/or affiliated companies, and purchased from other companies) (kWh)(Note that electricity sold in the Feed-in Tariff system (hereinafter FIT) is notincluded.)2) Amount of green power (kWh) that is equivalent to the CO2 reductions, which isrecognized in the Green Power Certification System to be the result of theelectricity consumed by the organization
3) Electricity (kWh) equivalent to the energy amount in the non-fossil certificate for“specified renewable energy,” which was purchased from the trading market ofnon-fossil fuel energy value4) Electricity (kWh) equivalent to the credits derived from the renewable energy
certified by the J-Credit Scheme[Certification Procedure]
Applicants shall submit the attached certificate including the state of conformity(including the declaration of compliance with criteria after certified) and Sheet 2.
Also, applicants shall submit a copy of the report in 4-1 (1) as the evidencematerials. However, if applicants provide any electricity plans with different
values in 4-1 (1) or (2) other than the relevant electricity plan and also havesubmitted their Coefficient per Business Operator to METI, they shall submit a
copy of the report of the Coefficient per Business Operator and the materials that
explain the breakdown of items 1) to 4) for each plan.
Note that the values shall be calculated during the same period as the reported
period in 4-1 (1) using only the values used in the calculation of 4-1 (1). Also notethat applicants shall report the utilization ratio in the relevant electricity plan
every year after certified.
(3) Applicants shall provide consumers with the information of the following items 1
and 2 regarding the relevant electricity plan.

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507V1 Criteria

1).

Information to be provided when consumers select an electricity plan

Applicants shall provide the following a) and b) on their websites, in some leaflets,
or by any other means.
When the information is provided on a website, applicants shall consider user
friendliness on operability of the website so that consumers can find theinformation explaining the electricity plans and other relevant information easily.
a) The previous year’s actual values of the carbon dioxide emission factor (after
adjusted) in the relevant electricity planb) The previous year’s composition of energy power resources (actual values) in therelevant electricity plan
However, b) shall be described in accordance with the Guidelines Concerning
the Management of the Electricity Retail Business and also the relevant c) to h)shall be accurately informed.
c) When calculating the utilization ratio of renewable energy and other power
resources, including the amount of purchased renewable energy with thecertificate of the non-fossil fuel value (specified renewable energy), theapplicants shall include it near the explanation of the components of electric
power resources according to the requested method described in the Guidelines
Concerning the Management of the Electricity Retail Business.
d) If the Green power equivalent to the CO2 reduction, which was certified to be
the electricity derived from the energy consumed in supplier’s facilities by theGreen Power Equivalent to CO2 Reduction Certification System, is included, theapplicants shall explain that they are utilizing the green power certificate basedon the System.
e) If the credit derived from the renewable energy power certified by the J-Credit
Scheme is included, the applicants shall explain that they use the credits
certified in the system.
f) If the FIT electricity is included, the applicants shall explain about the FIT
electricity to avoid misunderstandings regarding the FIT system.
g) If the electric power supplied by the Japan Electric Power Exchange is included,
the applicants shall give a clear explanation of the characteristics of the power
resource.
h) If electric power purchased from other companies is included, the applicant
shall clearly explain their idea on assortment of power resource composition (e.g.
all-time backup system, electric power from an unidentified power plant).
2). Information to be provided to the contractors of the relevant electricity plan
Applicants shall provide their contractors with the following information i) to l)using meter reading cards, emails, smartphone applications, their websites, orother means. However, applicants need to provide either of i) or j), while k) and l)
are recommended but optional. Note that applicants shall notify their contractors

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507V1 Criteria

by email or other means when some updates are made on the contract informationon their website.
i) Each contractor’s electricity consumption of the month and that of the samemonth a year earlierj) Each contractor’s electricity consumption and electric rate per month during thelast 12 monthsk) Comparison of electricity usage of the contractor with that of households withsimilar usage of electricity (e.g. contract type, dwelling style, area) and advice
on energy saving.
l) Tips on how to select and use electric appliances that leads to energy/electricity
saving[Certification Procedure]
Applicants shall include the state of conformity in the attached certificate. Also,
applicants shall submit the materials for confirmation of the status. If theinformation is posted on the website, the URL of the relevant page shall be
provided.
(4) Related environmental laws and regulations and pollution control agreement(hereinafter referred to as the “Environmental Laws, etc.”) must be followed withrespect to air pollution, water contamination, noise, offensive odor, and emission of
hazardous materials in the area where the applicant (provided, however, that if theapplicant is an agency or intermediary, it shall be a business provider supplying
electricity to the applicant.) is located.
In addition, the state of compliance with the Environmental Laws, etc. for the last
five years from the date of application (whether there is any violation) must bereported. If there is any violation, it is necessary that proper remedies and preventive
measures have been already taken, and the related Environmental Laws, etc. must
thereafter be followed appropriately.
[Certification Procedure]
Applicants shall include the state of conformity in the attached certificate. In
addition, with respect to the compliance with the related Environmental Laws,
etc., a certificate issued by the representative or the manager of the business(entry or attachment of the list of names of the Environmental Laws, etc.) must be
submitted.
It is necessary to report whether there is any violation during the last five years,
including a violation subject to administrative punishment or administrative
guidance, and if there is, the following documents in a and b must be submitted:
a. With respect to the fact of violation, guidance documents from administrative
agencies (including order of correction and warning) and copies of written
answers (including those reporting causes and results of correction) to such

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507V1 Criteria

documents (making a series of progress clear);b. Following materials (copies of recording documents, and so on) concerning themanagement system for compliance with the Environmental Laws, etc. in 1)-5):
1) List of the Environmental Laws, etc. related to the service provider;2) Implementation system (organizational chart with entry of roles, etc.);
3) Document stipulating retention of recording documents;
4) Recurrence prevention measures (future preventive measures);5) State of implementation based on recurrence prevention measures (result ofchecking of the state of compliance, including the result of onsite
inspection).
(5) Applicants shall attempt to prioritize procurement of renewable energy and othersources used in this electricity plan from electricity generation facilities that are
implementing efforts to minimize their environmental implications. More specifically,
applicants shall confirm the electricity generation facilities’ implementation status of
theirenvironmental

considerations

based

on

Appendix

1:

Checkliston

Eco-friendliness of Electric Power Derived from Renewable Energy. This item could
be judged to conform even if the electricity generation facilities do not implement allof the efforts listed in the checklist, but the facilities shall be confirmed to implement
at least the checklist items No.8, No.9, and No.13.
Note that this part applies to all electricity generation facilities that purchaserenewable energy and other sources (item 1) in 4-1.(2)) among the electricity
generated at the applicants’ companies and affiliates and/or the electricity purchasedfrom other companies (refers to “negotiated transaction” here). Applicants shallconfirm to cover at least the top 5 largest facilities of the quantity of electricity (kWh)and solar power facilities with the output of 2MW or more.
[Certification Procedure]
Applicants shall include the state of conformity in the attached certificate. Also,
applicants shall state the confirmation status of each item on the checklist andsubmit it.
(6) Applicants shall work on at least one of the following 7 activities to;1).Offer electricity plans that contribute to demand response systems and energy
conservation (by leveling or peak-shift electricity demand, and energy saving)
2). Supply electric power utilizing unused energy (for efficient use of energy)3). Offer host guided power plant tours or environmental education opportunities (forcommunication with consumers)4).Participate in environmental preservation activities, or offer donations toenvironment protection (for environmental preservation activities)5).Obtain the certification of their environment management system (including
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507V1 Criteria

ISO14001), or have established and implemented properly the internal standards
that conform to the above international standards. (Environmental management
system)6). Create and publicize environment reports or CSR reports.
7). Work on other activities to preserve the environment (limited to those reviewed
and approved by the examination committee).
[Certification Procedure]
Applicants shall submit the attached certificate including the state of conformity
and explanatory documents.
4-2. Quality criteria and certification procedure(7) Applicants shall abide by the Guidelines Concerning the Management of theElectricity Retail Business, and shall not be involved in the activities defined in thesection “Prohibited Activity” in the guidelines.
[Certification Procedure]
Applicants shall submit the attached certificate including the state of conformity.

5. Product Classification, Indication and Others(1) The classification of services are set for each electricity plan.
(2) As a general rule, the Eco Mark shall be shown on the advertising media (including
pamphlets and website) to introduce the certified electricity plans.
B type or C type display shall be conducted in accordance with the "Guide to EcoMark Usage" (https://www.ecomark.jp/office/guideline/guide/).
The display position and contents shall be submitted when applying for Eco Markcertification and its use.
[Example]
B type display

Condition of indication

エコマーク商品・・・1)
電力プラン ・・・2)
12345678(または○○○株式会社)
・・・3)

Not to require the numbers 1), 2) and 3)
themselves.

7/12

1-2(1) “Certification information” of"Guide to Eco Mark Usage" shall
includes (1)-(3) below.
1) The wording of "Eco Mark" or any
expression of Eco Mark products
stipulated in Section 1-6 in the"Guide to Eco Mark Usage"
2)
The
wording
indicationofenvironmental information
3) The Eco Mark certification number
or the name of the Eco Mark Usage
Licensee (The indication of the bothis acceptable)

507V1 Criteria

C type display

Condition of indication
This is a sample. Conduct a proper
indication by referring samples in 1-3of the "Guide to Eco Mark Usage”.
Please make an Eco Mark productinformation page on the website
which includes the certification
information in order for customers torefer the certification information,

エコマーク認定12345678

December 1, 2018

Established (Version 1.0)

March 15, 2024
November 30, 2030

Extension of Expiration date
Expiration

Certification Criteria of this Product Category shall be revised as needed.

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507V1 Criteria

Appendix 1 Checklist on Eco-friendliness of Electric Power Derived from Renewable Energy◆Checklist
・Applicants shall attempt to prioritize procurement of renewable energy and other sources used in this electricity plan from electricity generation
facilities that are implementing efforts to minimize their environmental implications. More specifically, applicants shall confirm the electricity
generation facilities’ implementation status of their environmental considerations based on the following items. This checklist could be judged toconform even if the electricity generation facilities do not implement all of the efforts listed in the checklist, but the facilities shall be confirmed to
implement at least the checklist items No.8, No.9, and No.13. This applies to all facilities that purchase renewable energy among the electricity
generated at the applicants’ companies and affiliates and/or the electricity purchased from other companies. Applicants shall have confirm at least
the top 5 largest facilities of the quantity of electricity (kWh) and solar power facilities with the output of 2MW or more. Also, all facilities confirmed
shall be documented in the facility list.
* When confirming the implement status on each item, it is recommended to refer to some materials including “Guidelines for Business Planning” and“Guidelines for Certification on Woody Biomass for Power Generation” etc. issued by the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy.
(Check in the boxes of all applicable items in the following power resources. Also check the boxes for applicable items as for each power resource andconfirmation status of the “common” items.)
TypeofResource

Power

When
biomass
power generation
is included

No.

1

2

Item

Hydro

Wind

As for the renewable energy included in the power resource suppliedin the applied plan, check the boxes of all applicable items in theright column and check the status of conformity on the table below.

Hydro (including small/mid-scale hydro):  Enter item 1
Wind : Enter item 2
Sea Wind: Enter item 3
Solar :  Enter items 4 to 6
Biomass :  Check the column below
Geothermal:  Enter items 14 and 15

As for the type of purchased fuel, check the boxes of all applicable
items in the right column and describe the conforming status in thetable below.

Wood biomass derived from domestic wood resources:  Enter items 7 and 8
Imported wood biomass:  Enter items 9 and 10
Biomass associated with harvested agricultural products: --> Enter items 11
to 13

Details

StatusAppropriate procedures on the rights to the use of water have beentaken.
(Reference: The Guidelines for Business Planning (Hydro-electric
Generation) )Appropriate measures have been taken to prevent negative impacts
including the noise of the power generating equipment.
(Reference: The Guidelines for Business Planning (Wind-power
Generation) )9/12

 Confirmed
 Implemented.
 not implemented
 Not confirmed.

 Confirmed
 Implemented.
 not implemented
 Not confirmed.

Confirmation Method□Confirmed with the documents related to the procedures
regarding the rights to the use of water□Confirmed that procedures had been done in compliancewith the related laws including the River Act□Confirmed by hearing surveys with the electricity
generation companies□Other (please specify)[]□Confirmed with the related document including businessplans□Confirmed that no legal issues occurred on the relevant
electricity generation business including lawsuits□Confirmed by hearing surveys with the electricity
generation companies□Other (please specify)

507V1 Criteria
No.

Item

Details

StatusConfirmation Method[

3

Sea Wind

Electric suppliers shall take appropriate preventive measuresagainst the sources of annoyance including operating noises frompower generating equipment and electromagnetic waves from theirfacilities or electric wires, which cause negative impacts on the livesof local residents and the surrounding environment.
(Reference: The Guidelines for Business Planning (Solar-power
Generation) )

4

5

Solar

6

7

Electric suppliers shall design their facilities conforming to thestandards of the facilities including those chosen from entries fromthe public in accordance with the Ports and Harbors Act, and submit
an application about the structural design of their facilities to theadministrator of the Ports and Harbors Act, and obtain an approval
for the use of designated water area.
(Reference: The Guidelines for Business Planning (Wind-power
Generation)

Biomass Fuel
(Domestic
Wood
Biomass)

Electric suppliers shall take appropriate preventive measuresagainst the reflected lights from their solar cell modules so as not todamage the surrounding environment.
(Reference: The Guidelines for Business Planning (Solar-power
Generation) )Electric suppliers shall establish the business plans including theappropriate decommission and abolishment plans and methods oftheir power generating equipment after their operation is
terminated in accordance with the Guidelines towards the
Promotion of Recycling of Solar Power Generating Equipment issuedby MOE.
(Reference: The Guidelines for Business Planning (Solar-power
Generation) )Electric suppliers shall explain their fuel procurement and usage
plans prior to implementation with their potential suppliers: eachprefectural Forest Policy Planning Department (as for the national
forests, do so to the Regional Forest Office or other relevant offices).
(Reference: The Guidelines for Business Planning (Biomass Power
Generation) )10/12 Confirmed
 Implemented.
 not implemented
 Not confirmed.

 Confirmed
 Implemented.
 not implemented
 Not confirmed.

 Confirmed
 Implemented.
 not implemented
 Not confirmed.

 Confirmed
 Implemented.
 not implemented
 Not confirmed.
 Confirmed
 Implemented.
 not implemented
 Not confirmed.

]□Confirmed with the related document including businessplans□Confirmed that procedures had been done in compliancewith the related laws including the Port and HarborAct□Confirmed by hearing surveys with the electricity
generation companies□Other (please specify)[]□Confirmed with the related document including businessplans□Confirmed that no legal issues occurred on the relevant
electricity generation business including lawsuits□Confirmed by hearing surveys with the electricity
generation companies□Other (please specify)[]□Confirmed with the related document including businessplans□Confirmed that no legal issues occurred on the relevant
electricity generation business including lawsuits□Confirmed by hearing surveys with the electricity
generation companies□Other (please specify)[]□Confirmed with the related document including businessplans□Confirmed by hearing surveys with the electricity
generation companies□Other (please specify)[]□Confirmed with the related document including businessplans□Confirmed with the explanatory materials for prefectural
Forest Policy Planning Department.
□Confirmed by hearing surveys with the electricity
generation companies

507V1 Criteria
No.

Item

Details

StatusConfirmation Method□Other (please specify)[

8

9
Biomass Fuel
(Imported
Wood
Biomass)
1011
Biomass Fuel
(Biomass derived
fromharvested
agricultural
products)
12Electric suppliers shall ensure that the biomass they plan topurchase is appropriately identified and proved to be wooden
biomass fuels derived from forest thinning, general wooden biomass
fuels, or wastes of building materials in accordance with the
Guideline for Certification of the Origin of the Wooden Biomass to be
Utilized in Electric Power Generation.
(Reference: The Guidelines for Certification on Woody Biomass forPower Generation )Electric Suppliers shall use the wooden materials or wooden goods,
the sustainability (conformity to the law) of which is proved atprocessors and distributors, so that the relevant plan has minimum
impact on the existing usage of the wooden resource.
(Reference: The Guidelines for Business Planning (Biomass Power
Generation) )Electric Suppliers shall secure some agreements (direct or indirect
through a trade firm) including the Stable Fuel Procurement
Agreement with both domestic and local fuel suppliers.
(Reference: The Guidelines for Business Planning (Biomass Power
Generation) )Electric Suppliers shall attempt to minimize the impact of theirrelevant business plans on the existing usage of biomass derived
from harvested agricultural products (palm oil, PKS (Palm Kernel
Shell), palm trunk).
(Reference: The Guidelines for Business Planning (Biomass Power
Generation) )Regarding biomass derived from harvested agricultural products(palm oil, PKS, palm trunk), the relevant Electric Suppliers shallsecure some agreements (direct or indirect through a trade firm)with both domestic and local fuel suppliers, and simultaneously
confirm that those suppliers have (traceable) distribution routes.
(Reference: The Guidelines for Business Planning (Biomass Power
Generation) )11/12 Confirmed
 Implemented.
 not implemented
 Not confirmed.
 Confirmed
 Implemented.
 not implemented
 Not confirmed.
 Confirmed
 Implemented.
 not implemented
 Not confirmed.
 Confirmed
 Implemented.
 not implemented
 Not confirmed.
 Confirmed
 Implemented.
 not implemented
 Not confirmed.

]□Confirmed the implementation with the certificate listed
in the “Guidelines for Certification on Woody Biomass
for Power Generation”□Confirmed the implementation with the certificate thatindicates the biomass fuels to be purchased has been
properly sorted out.
□Other (please specify)[]□Confirmed the implementation with documents that havebeen granted the documents to prove the use of thewooden materials or wooden goods with the proof of thesustainability (conformity to the law)
□Other (please specify)[]□Confirmed with the related document including businessplans□Confirmed the materials related to the stableprocurement agreements with the local fuel suppliers.
□Confirmed by hearing surveys with the electricity
generation companies□Other (please specify)[]□Confirmed with the related document including businessplans□Confirmed by hearing surveys with the electricity
generation companies□Other (please specify)[]□Confirmed with the related document including businessplans□Confirmed by hearing surveys with the electricity
generation companies□Other (please specify)[]

507V1 Criteria
No.

Item

Details
As for palm oil, one of the liquid biomass fuels, Electric Suppliers
shall confirm that their local fuel suppliers of the oil have received
certifications from authorities such as the RSPO, which explain thatthey achieved sustainability (legitimacy) of their palm oil resourceby evaluating their impact on environment and society, labor
condition, segregation management of certified oil and non-certified
oil, and other criteria.
(Reference: The Guidelines for Business Planning (Biomass Power
Generation) )13

Electric Suppliers shall establish and implement the plans forappropriate monitoring of geothermal sources in accordance with therequirements described in the Requirements for Source Monitoring.
(Reference: The Guidelines for Business Planning (Geothermal
Power Generation) )14

StatusConfirmation Method

 Confirmed
 Implemented.
 not implemented□Confirmed with documents that the third party havebeen certified in terms of the sustainability (legitimacy)□Confirmed with the notification of FIT certification[Certified in YYYY]□Other (please specify)[]

 Not confirmed.
 No palm oil used

 Confirmed
 Implemented.
 not implemented
 Not confirmed.
 Not applicable

Geothermal

15

16
Relationship withlocal community(Common)17

In case the local geothermal electric suppliers own no wells that can
provide their geothermal power generating facilities with steam andhot water, the suppliers shall request owners of wells to establish
and implement the source monitoring plans.
(Reference: The Guidelines for Business Planning (Geothermal
Power Generation) ) Confirmed
 Implemented.
 not implemented

In order to communicate with local residents, Electric Suppliers
shall consult the local government regarding the scope of residents
to be given prior attention and/or concrete ways of communicationsuch as holding explanatory sessions or visiting residents
individually. (Reference: The Guidelines for Business Planning) Confirmed
 Implemented.
 not implemented

Electric Suppliers who are going to settle the small scale of power
generation facility, which requires no procedure of environmental
assessment, shall attempt to achieve a consensus from the local
residents on their business by taking measures including holding
explanatory sessions about its impact on the environment andlandscape after consulting the local government.
(Reference: The Guidelines for Business Planning)

12/12

 Not confirmed.
 Not applicable Not confirmed.

 Confirmed
 Implemented.
 not implemented
 Not confirmed.

□Confirmed with the related document including businessplans□Confirmed the materials regarding monitoring ofgeothermal sources.
□Confirmed by hearing surveys with the electricity
generation companies□Other (please specify)[]□Confirmed with the related document including businessplans□Confirmed with the materials related to theimplementation of source monitoring by the relevant
well owners.
□Confirmed by hearing surveys with the electricity
generation companies□Other (please specify)[]□Confirmed with the related document including businessplans□Confirmed with the materials including explanatory
documents for the local residents.
□Confirmed by hearing surveys with the electricity
generation companies□Other (please specify)[]□Confirmed with the related document including businessplans□Confirmed with the materials including explanatory
documents for the local residents.
□Confirmed by hearing surveys with the electricity
generation companies□Other (please specify)[]