Abstract
This paper provides an analysis of the growth in environmental and labelling schemes (ELIS), using a dataset of 544 schemes introduced between 1970 and 2012 covering 197 countries. General trends drawn from this dataset and an examination of relevant trademarks support a rapid but slowing increase in the number of ELIS. The analysis also shows both the diversity and unequal growth of ELIS according to different characteristics, such as communication means, channels, scope, and the standards on which they are based. The analysis further outlines the dual nature of the evolution of ELIS over time, driven by the combination of an increase in the number of “traditional” ELIS, such as single-issue environmental seals, and the emergence of more recently introduced types of ELIS, including environmental footprints. This combination highlights the tension between increased competition among similar ELIS and the emergence of new schemes potentially less exposed to direct competition but facing larger entry challenges.
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Notes
The latter remains the subject of trade contention.
In what follows, the combination of these sources with the EcoLabel Index will be referenced as the combined dataset.
For more information, see http://bigroom.ca/.
See Supplementary material for more detail.
Shown in Supplementary material.
The addition of new emerging schemes could increase competition with traditional schemes if present on the same products or services.
The leading variables standing for B2C, single-attribute labels, food and agriculture and multiple product coverage, chemical and natural resources, non-profit voluntary, not LCA-based, not open process, nprPPMs, and Europe and national scope are used for the first type. Conversely, the leading variables standing for B2B, type III, energy, transportation and biofuel products, climate and energy coverage, private voluntary, LCA-based, open process (with and without published list), product standard and services, and Oceania and regional scope are used for the second type.
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Acknowledgement
The author would like to thank experts from ELIS institutions,OECD delegates, as well as Shardul Agrawala, Ivan Hascic, Andrew Prag, Sylvain Rousset, Ysé Serret, Ronald Steenblik and Elizabeth Corbett for their comments and suggestions. The project to which this work contributed benefited fromfunding from the Government of New Zealand.
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Views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility ofthe author and do not necessarily reflect those of the OECD, the governments of its member countries, or any other cited institution.
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Gruère, G.P. An Analysis of the Growth in Environmental Labelling and Information Schemes. J Consum Policy 38, 1–18 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10603-014-9275-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10603-014-9275-z