EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 33/39

(2004/C 33 E/037)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0391/03

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(13 February 2003)

Subject: Eco-label

The introduction of an eco-label in Regulation (EEC) 880/92 (1), recently amended by Regulation (EC) 1980/2000 (2), is intended to make it easier for consumers to identify environmentally-friendly products which have been officially approved by the EU and to encourage enterprises to develop projects having the necessary specifications. Criteria have now been adopted for 19 categories of product, and in the long term it is intended to establish 35 such categories.

1. To what extent has the eco-label found acceptance in the EU?

2. Which products and how many and which enterprises have been awarded an eco-label in Greece?

3. What measures must be taken to encourage more enterprises to take an interest in and obtain the eco-label, without any lowering of the quality and environmental protection criteria?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(16 June 2003)

The Union Eco-label is a benchmark tool to help consumers, whether public or private purchasers, to identify environmentally friendly goods and services on the market. The main aim is to encourage businesses to market greener products which comply with high environmental and performance standards.

(a) At present the statistics for the Union Eco-label are as follows: — 20 product groups with established criteria; — 134 awarded companies; — 81 million ecolabelled articles (3); — EUR 179 million factory sales (3); — EUR 314 million retail sales (3).

(b) Statistics for Greece are as follows: — nine awarded companies: — Bed mattresses: — Ideal Strom Krdakos Bros S.A.; — Vas. Chantiridis S.A.; — Athenian Bed Mattresses Manufacturing Unit S.A. — Indoor paints and varnishes: — Berling S.A.; — ‘ER – LAC’ G.D. Koutlis S.A.; — International Ilios Cotachem S.A.; — Viochrom Ltd. — Dishwashers: — Morris S.A. — Textile products: — Gallop S.A. — 2,1 million ecolabelled articles (3); — EUR 17,8 million factory sales (3); — EUR 26,8 million retail sales (3).

In answer to the question about how to encourage enterprises to join the Union Eco-label, it is important to note that the Union Eco-label is now part of a wider approach on Integrated Product Policy (IPP) within the 6th Community Environment Action Programme. Therefore the growth of the Union Eco-label will certainly benefit from the future development of such an environmental policy in terms of sustainable consumption and production.

The Union Eco-label has also adopted a working plan for the period 2002-2004 which seeks to increase significantly the visibility of the scheme. In particular, the Commission together with Member States, acting as the European Union Eco-labelling Board (EUEB), is actively operating to identify effective actions to increase the market penetration of the Union Eco-label, including specific marketing initiatives and a closer co-operation and co-ordination between the Union eco-label and national labelling schemes.

(1) OJ L 99, 11.4.1992, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 237, 21.9.2000, p. 1.

(3) Estimated data for 2002 based on a 50 % increase in turnover compared to 2001.