Office & Consumer
Office & Consumer Electronics Defining Green Certification possibilities for consumer & office electronics Around the globe, initiatives have been launched which promote limited greenhouse gas emissions, such as the carbon disclosure project, the electronic industry code of conduct and The Greenpeace Guide to Greener Electronics. The change in both buyers’ and traders’ requirements for green and sustainable post-consumer recycled materials is just one example. The introduction of an independent certification mark issued by a third-party entity, which demonstrates compliance with the various sustainability regulations and requirements, will help manufacturers to promote their eco-friendly products with one mark in a more direct, fast and efficient way. The content of recycled materials, the use of non-hazardous substances and energy efficiency performance are major factors in consumers’ perceptions of consumer products and demonstrate the commitment of brand name owners to the environment, sustainability and society. TÜV Rheinland’ s Green Product Mark is a voluntary sustainability mark for consumer products that will give end consumers and buyers guidance in identifying green and sustainable products in the often crowded market place. The Green Product Mark, along with the related regulatory requirements, aims to minimize the impact of consumer products on the environment. The Scope of the Green Product Mark includes, but is not limited to, the product categories of Information and communication technology, audio-visual, household, photovoltaic, lighting leisure and sports equipment, furniture, flooring, textiles and shoes, or toys. With the transparent certification requirement and an internationally well-recognized accredited Testing and Certification Agency like TÜV Rheinland Group this mark can make the ifference for both end consumers and procurers. Specific rules and instructions should be followed when using environmental labels in procurement. These may vary country or region, so it is recommended to check for specific rules and guides. For example, in the European Union there is the European Union Procurement Directive in place. Procurers may indicate that the criteria of a certain environmental label must be met, but cannot require that a product carries a particular environmental label. Examples can be found in the Wood Industry with the well-known labels available there, and the European Timber Regulation. However, environmental labels can be used as one form of proof of compliance for environmental specifications. Procurers may only reference environmental label criteria that refer to characteristics of the product, service or production process. The following table shows the sources for different regions in the world for green marketing guides and rules: DIN CERTCO Certification marks As shown above TÜV Rheinland Green Product Mark refers to multiple attributes and product groups. Internationally recognized certification body DIN CERTCO – a 100 % TUV Rheinland subsidiary- offers certification systems according to single-attributes. For example, since 1997 DIN CERTCO certifies compostable packaging in accordance with EN 13432, ASTM D 6400 and other relevant standards in the field. For many years, the certification systems were expanded, e.g. by Biobased Products, Recycled Content, Home compostability or Biodegradation in Soil for mulching films (EN 17033). Figure 1 shows an overview: International and National Green Marketing Guides and Rules Country/Region Organization Guide and link Year Australia Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Canadian Competition Bureau (CCB) and Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Green marketing and the Australian Consumer Law Environmental Claims: A Guide for Industry and Advertisers Charter of Commitment and Objectives for Eco-Responsible Advertising Guidelines for Making end Assessing Environmental Claims Framework for Responsible Environmental: Marketing Communications 2011 Canada 2008 France Bureau de Vérification de la Publicité 2008 Europe European Commission 2000 International lnternational Chamber of Commerce 2010 Japan Ministry of Environment Guidelines for Environmental Representations 2008 New Zealand Advertising Standards Authority Code for Environmental Claims 2010 South Korea FairTrade Commission Fair Labeling and Advertising Act 1999 UK U.K. DEFRA Guide: How to make a green claim 2016 USA U.S. Federal Trade Commission Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims: Final Rule 2012 26 bioplastics MAGAZINE [06/19] Vol. 14
Office & Consumer Electronics By: Oliver Ehlert Product Manager DIN Certco Berlin, Germany Fig. 1: Certification categories Multi-Attribute Label Single-Attribute Labels Green Product Mark Information and communication technology products (ICT) Audio-visual products Household appliances Photovoltaic modules Lighting products Leisure and sports equipment Furniture Flooring Textiles and shoes Toys Biodegradability Certification | Recycled Material Verified Service Agriculture and fishery products Automotive products Civil engineering and construction products Electronic and electrical products Desktop computers Notebooks Computer displays Copy machines Fax machines Printers TVs Food containers Leisure goods Textiles Plastic and rubber products Glass products Metal products Packaging Paper products These single attribute conformity marks could be implemented as well in the Green Product Mark, e.g. Biobased content or Recycled content of computer housing, end consumer products, and many more, or they are used solely both in B2B and B2C. www.dincertco.de HIGH WE DRIVE THROUGHPUT. THE DIAMEETS CIRCULAR ECONOMY. QUALITY. Whether it is inhouse, postconsumer or bottle recycling: you can only close loops in a precise and profitable way if machines are perfectly tuned for the respective application. Count on the number 1 technology from EREMA when doing so: over 5000 of our machines and systems produce around 14 million tonnes of high-quality pellets like this every year – in a highly efficient and energy-saving way. That’s Careformance! CAREFORMANCE We care about your performance. 1710013ERE_ins_bioplastics magazine.indd 1 bioplastics MAGAZINE 18.10.17 [06/19] Vol. 14:3114 27
