Having trouble deciphering the
green labels on products?
With the number of “green products” growing, it
can be confusing to figure out which option really has the least
environmental impact. To
better market products as environmentally friendly many eco-labels have
appeared. An eco-label is a
seal or logo indicating that a product has met a set of environmental or
social standards. The problem
is that the labels represent varying certifications and can be hard to
compare.
Eco-labels.org, a website constructed by the
Consumers Union, can help you to understand the differences in the
eco-labels placed on food and wood products.
The site allows you to search by label, logo,
product, certifier, or standard. A
glossary explains certification terms.
For each listing, Eco-labels gives the user a picture of the logo,
the history of the organization behind the label, contact information for
the organization, label standards and criteria, and a list of products
certified under that label.
Consumers Union also supplies an evaluation of the label, looking at
whether the criteria for certification is clear, independently verified,
and environmentally meaningful. They also identify sponsoring
organizations and note potential conflicts of interest.
Visit www.eco-labels.org
for more info. |
