2009 Volume 5 Issue 2 Pages 203-211
The Japan Environment Association started to undertake the Eco Mark program in 1989. Almost 20 years have passed since the program was founded. The Eco Mark program, which is a type I environmental labelling program, is managed in accordance with ISO 14024. Certification criteria for every product category have taken the environmental burden at each life stage (resource extraction, manufacture, distribution, use, disposal and recycling) of products into consideration. This is to provide an overview of current situation and perspective of Eco Mark program. Firstly the current situation of Eco Mark program was explained and 20 years of history from the start of the program was outlined. Regarding outside assessment of Eco Mark program, questionnaires to consumers and companies who have certified products and the market share survey of Eco Mark certified products conducted by Eco Mark office were introduced. Environmental falsification originated with mislabeled waste paper was also referred to. Lastly, issues for Eco Mark program to be solved were covered. The Eco Mark is popular with public organizations and companies, and they use the Eco Mark as a guide of green procurement. Eco Mark program is expected to be a more significant eco label that “provides information widely on environmental aspects of products and encourages customers to select Eco Mark products” for both purchaser and supplier.
