Brussels, 19/02/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament's environment committee supports greater use of the Community ecological label. This will require strict application and simplification of the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) - two reforms in the action plan for industrial production and sustainable consumption presented last July by the European Commission at the same time as the Energy/Climate package.
Salvatore Tatarella (UEN, Italy) the rapporteur for revision of the 1980/2000 regulation on the Community system's Community ecology label, this logo comes in the shape of a flower and is allocated to environmentally friendly products. MEPs supported the Commission's wish to make the system less costly and less bureaucratic for companies using it on a voluntary basis. Contrary to what the Commission proposes, they doubt that at this stage, they will be able to make processed foods, fisheries products and aquaculture eligible for this label and want the Commission to make a preliminary study of reliable environmental criteria and whether they can be established for food and drink.
MEPs are aware of the high expectations regarding quality and safety of chemical products and consider that the eco-label should not in principle be granted to chemical products or substances that still provoke significant concern (such as toxic, very toxic or carcinogens).
The environment committee wants the Commission to see whether reducing animal testing, tests on reducing the impact of climate change, reducing energy consumption and resources as well as waste generated, could be used for label allocation criteria.
MEPs believe that the Commission and member states should promote adequate funding for the eco-label and public awareness campaigns to promote the label. They also want member states to set targets for public procurement and products that enjoy label eligibility.
The European Environment Bureau (EEB) immediately welcomed this vote, particularly the decision by MEPs to keep the most dangerous chemicals out of products bearing the Flower. The environmental committee recognised that in connection with the voluntary EMAS system to promote environmental performance for organisations, there was a need to improve its efficiency so that it obtained support from as many participants as possible. Therefore a large majority (52 votes for, one against and one abstention) adopted the report by Lida McAvan (PES, United Kingdom) and subsequently expressed their support for the system simplification proposals. (A.N./trans/rh)