Brussels, 10/04/2015 (Agence Europe) - The 18th European Forum on Eco-innovation which will be held in Barcelona on 20 and 21 May will give pride of place to the role of environmental labelling, management and information schemes in boosting competitiveness and innovation.
The event is being jointly organised by the European Commission's Directorate General for Environment, the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment and the Generalitat de Catalunya with the support of the Club EMAS Catalunya and the Environment Sector Group of the Enterprise Europe Network and will give those attending the opportunity to debate the advantages of such voluntary schemes in strengthening competitiveness and innovation, particularly in SMEs.
It will provide the opportunity to take stock of existing environmental management schemes and the contribution they make to companies' competitiveness, give examples of environmental labelling, management and information schemes which have proved their effectiveness, discuss ways of reconciling the credibility of labels with the need to differentiate products, debate the role of public authorities in schemes which promote the environmental performance of products and businesses, and present partnerships between retailers and suppliers that help consumers choose green products.
At European level, the EU eco-label is awarded to products and services whose environmental impact through their life cycle is minimal, and the eco-management and audit system (EMAS) promotes improved environmental performance by private and public organisations in all sectors of economic activity. (Aminata Niang)