Analysis of the development of eco-labelling and energy labelling in the European union

In November 1993, the first European Union eco-labelled product went on sale in the UK The development ofthe eco-label has been much delayed by a variety affactors. Some of these reflect the normal difficulties in developing a new regulatoly mechankm, but others point to a lack of strategies as to the purpose and operation of the eco-label. Other consumer labelling measures are also being introduced, notably the energy star labels. Little thought appears to have been given to the effectiveness of labelling or to how thg integrate into environmental policy and policy-making structures. Eco-labels are voluntary with some important products (notab& cars) omitted, while eco-labels are being developed for products with little by way of environmental impacts (such as cat letter). The energy star has perhaps the clearest rationale, to identify selectiveb energv-saving technologies. Energy labelling is compulsoly for all products (although cars are again excluded). It is argued that, on its own, labelling is a weak fown of regulation. To be effective, Product labelling needs to be intepated with other environmental policy instruments, and to be part of a coherent policymaking structure.