Ecolabelling
The European Eco-label was developed in the early nineties to distinguish products which achieve high environmental standards. Revised in 2000, the system is administered by DEFRA in the UK.
Certified products from the UK currently include floor coverings, paints and varnishes, furnishings and cleaners.
This is a general system, but there are other systems, which are listed on the DEFRA site below, including work by BRE to rate construction materials according to their whole life performance. This Environmental Profiling scheme aims to create a level playing field for life cycle assessment ratings, and the web page below provides detailed information about its methodology and approach.
It's also important to be aware of the Energy Performance Certificate, which will be part of the
Home Information Packs vendors need to sell their homes from 1st June 2007. This rating will be generated by a specialist Energy Assessor. From 2009, new builds will also need one of these certificates before they go on the market.
For more information on the European Eco-label, visit DEFRA at The Energy Performance Certificate |
