Blue Angel (certification)
Encyclopedia
The Blue Angel is a German certification
for products and services that have environmentally friendly
aspects.
It has been awarded since 1978 by the Jury Umweltzeichen, a group of 13 persons from environment and consumer protection
groups, industry, unions, trade, media and churches.
Blue Angel is the oldest ecolabel in the world, and it covers some 10.000 products in some 80 product categories.
After the introduction of Germany’s Blue Angel in 1978 as the first worldwide environmental label, other European and non-European countries followed this example and introduced their own national and supra-regional environmental labels. The common goal of these labels is to inform consumers about environmentally friendly products thereby giving global support to product-related environmental protection.
In 1994, some countries cooperated in developing the Global Ecolabelling Network
(GEN) - a non-profit interest group composed of ecolabel
organisations throughout the world.
Certification
Certification refers to the confirmation of certain characteristics of an object, person, or organization. This confirmation is often, but not always, provided by some form of external review, education, assessment, or audit...
for products and services that have environmentally friendly
Environmentally friendly
Environmentally friendly are terms used to refer to goods and services, laws, guidelines and policies claimed to inflict minimal or no harm on the environment....
aspects.
It has been awarded since 1978 by the Jury Umweltzeichen, a group of 13 persons from environment and consumer protection
Consumer protection
Consumer protection laws designed to ensure fair trade competition and the free flow of truthful information in the marketplace. The laws are designed to prevent businesses that engage in fraud or specified unfair practices from gaining an advantage over competitors and may provide additional...
groups, industry, unions, trade, media and churches.
Blue Angel is the oldest ecolabel in the world, and it covers some 10.000 products in some 80 product categories.
After the introduction of Germany’s Blue Angel in 1978 as the first worldwide environmental label, other European and non-European countries followed this example and introduced their own national and supra-regional environmental labels. The common goal of these labels is to inform consumers about environmentally friendly products thereby giving global support to product-related environmental protection.
In 1994, some countries cooperated in developing the Global Ecolabelling Network
Global Ecolabelling Network
The Global Ecolabelling Network is a non-profit interest group composed of 25 ecolabel organisations throughout the world.It was established in 1994 and its precursor, the German Blue Angel was established in 1978...
(GEN) - a non-profit interest group composed of ecolabel
Ecolabel
Ecolabels and Green Stickers are labelling systems for food and consumer products. Ecolabels are often voluntary, but Green Stickers are mandated by law in North America for major appliances and automobiles. They are a form of sustainability measurement directed at consumers, intended to make it...
organisations throughout the world.
See also
- Green SealGreen SealGreen Seal is a non-profit, third-party certifier and standards development body in the United States. Since 1989 it has provided independent, objective, science-based guidance to the marketplace and to consumers...
- Environmental Choice ProgramEnvironmental Choice ProgramThe Environmental Choice Program is an ecolabelling scheme that was established by Environment Canada in 1988 with over 300 categories of products to help consumers identify services/products which are less harmful to the environment....
- Green brandsGreen brandsGreen brands are those brands that consumers associate with environmental conservation and sustainable business practices.Such brands appeal to consumers who are becoming more aware of the need to protect the environment. A green brand can add a unique selling point to a product and can boost...
- Low rolling-resistance tires
External links
- Blue Angel - information for consumers and companies by certifying company RAL gGmbH
- European Union Eco-label Homepage
- Blue Angel entry at ecolabelling.org
- More detailed information and fact sheets