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Eco-labelling: success or failure?

Author

Listed:
  • Camilla C. Erskine

    (University of Edinburgh)

  • Lyndhurst Collins

    (University of Edinburgh)

Abstract

Eco-labelling was identified in Agenda 21 as a way of encouraging consumers to alter their consumption patterns and to make wiser use of resources and energy in the drive for sustainable development into the next century. A European-wide eco-labelling scheme was introduced by the European Commission (EC) in 1992 as part of its fifth and most recent Environmental Action Plan, the focus of which is also sustainability. The EC eco-labelling scheme aims to promote products with reduced environmental impacts throughout their life cycle and to provide consumers with better information about the environmental impact of products. This paper assesses whether eco-labelling is an effective means of improving the environment, using the eco-labelling of paper products as a case study. Paper products are examined because the development of their ecolabelling criteria has been a particularly complex and contentious issue. Moreover, although criteria have now been adopted for three groups of paper products, controversy has dominated the criteria-setting process and debate continues about the relevance of the selected criteria. It is concluded that while the concept of eco-labelling is good, the practical application of the concept is not straightforward. Furthermore, at present, there is little evidence of eco-labelling benefitting the environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Camilla C. Erskine & Lyndhurst Collins, 1997. "Eco-labelling: success or failure?," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 17(2), pages 125-133, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:envsyd:v:17:y:1997:i:2:d:10.1023_a:1018552000651
    DOI: 10.1023/A:1018552000651
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sally Eden, 1994. "Business, trust and environmental information: Perceptions from consumers and retailers," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 3(4), pages 1-8.
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    Cited by:

    1. Grunert, Klaus G., 2011. "Sustainability in the Food Sector: A Consumer Behaviour Perspective," International Journal on Food System Dynamics, International Center for Management, Communication, and Research, vol. 2(3), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Daisuke Tanaka & Sébastien M. R. Dente & Seiji Hashimoto, 2024. "How Do Eco-Labels for Everyday Products Made of Recycled Plastic Affect Consumer Behavior?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-21, June.
    3. Christopher Bruce & Andrea Laroiya, 2007. "The Production of Eco-Labels," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 36(3), pages 275-293, March.
    4. Claudia E. Henninger, 2015. "Traceability the New Eco-Label in the Slow-Fashion Industry?—Consumer Perceptions and Micro-Organisations Responses," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(5), pages 1-22, May.
    5. Lívia Garcez de Oliveira Padilha & Lenka Malek & Wendy J. Umberger, 2021. "Sustainable Meat: Looking through the Eyes of Australian Consumers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-24, May.
    6. Khan Md Raziuddin Taufique & Chamhuri Siwar & Basri Talib & Farah Hasan Sarah & Norshamliza Chamhuri, 2014. "Synthesis of Constructs for Modeling Consumers’ Understanding and Perception of Eco-Labels," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(4), pages 1-25, April.
    7. Yao Song & Zhenzhen Qin & Qi Yuan, 2019. "The Impact of Eco-Label on the Young Chinese Generation: The Mediation Role of Environmental Awareness and Product Attributes in Green Purchase," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-18, February.
    8. Jerome Vanclay & John Shortiss & Scott Aulsebrook & Angus Gillespie & Ben Howell & Rhoda Johanni & Michael Maher & Kelly Mitchell & Mark Stewart & Jim Yates, 2011. "Customer Response to Carbon Labelling of Groceries," Journal of Consumer Policy, Springer, vol. 34(1), pages 153-160, March.
    9. Nagy-Kercsó Katalin, 2023. "Towards Sustainability on a Sea of Eco-Labels. Leading or Misleading?," Acta Universitatis Sapientiae, Economics and Business, Sciendo, vol. 11(1), pages 186-207, October.
    10. Alexander J. Stein & Marcelo Lima, 2022. "Sustainable food labelling: considerations for policy-makers," Review of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Studies, Springer, vol. 103(2), pages 143-160, June.
    11. Low, Sui Pheng & Gao, Shang & See, Yan Long, 2014. "Strategies and measures for implementing eco-labelling schemes in Singapore's construction industry," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 31-40.
    12. Elfriede Penz & Eva Hofmann & Barbara Hartl, 2017. "Fostering Sustainable Travel Behavior: Role of Sustainability Labels and Goal-Directed Behavior Regarding Touristic Services," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-17, June.
    13. Lee, Eung Jin & Bae, Joonheui & Kim, Kyung Hoon, 2020. "The effect of environmental cues on the purchase intention of sustainable products," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 425-433.
    14. Domenico Morrone & Rosamartina Schena, 2018. "The Influence of “Euro-Leaf” Logo on Consumers’ Choices: The Italian Case of Branded and Private Label Food Products," International Journal of Business and Management, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 13(3), pages 134-134, February.

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