Type III Eco-labeling Begins in Japan

On June 3, 2002, the Japan Environmental Management Association for Industry (JEMAI) launched the "EcoLeaf" labeling program, which provides quantitative environmental information on products.

This program is under what is generally known as a "Type III" category of eco-labels. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is currently working toward their standardization as new type of environmental labeling that applies the principles of life cycle assessment (LCA).

The EcoLeaf labels present product environmental information in a scientific format. By providing information widely to the public, they assist consumers, the buyers and users of such products, with their green purchasing and procurement activities. They also aim to motivate manufacturers to develop, produce and sell more eco-friendly products.

JEMAI began developing its own Type III Eco-labeling program in September 1998, and went through two trial implementation phases before starting full operations. Within six months after its initiation, 14 companies in 12 categories had developed Ecoleaf labels and affixed the Ecoleaf mark and/or sheets to their products.

Each EcoLeaf label consists of three sheets:
1) Product Environmental Aspects Declaration (PEAD) — executive summary of a product's quantified impact on the environment;
2) Product Environmental Information Data Sheet (PEIDS) — supporting evidence for the PEAD, and the summary of the results of the inventory analysis and impact assessment of the product, using the LCA method;
3) Product Data Sheet — a list of in- and out-flows of energy resources, raw materials and chemicals that have an impact on the environment, derived from actually measured values (this data is used to produce the PEIDS).

The EcoLeaf labels are prepared in accordance with LCA methods by companies that plan to declare them. They are subject to verification by third-party inspectors and assessment by researchers, LCA specialists and consumers before they can be released publicly. For more cost-effective and speedy declaration of the labels, companies may choose the system certification method, which allows verification by in-house inspectors but does not require the complete assessment process.

http://www.jemai.or.jp/english/ecoleaf/outline.cfm
- Power from Kansai Electric's Grid Wins 'EcoLeaf' Label (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/db/498-e

Posted: 2003/02/07 12:01:51 PM
Japanese version