Requirements on Consumer Information about Product ... - ANEC

Consumer Information about PCF
(2) Climatop award for low carbon, best in class products
(Schmid 2009, www.climatop.ch):
Description:
Climatop belongs to the category of labels that display that the
product belongs to the best in class products concerning PCF without showing
any figures (e.g. in connection with a type I label).
A good or a service approved with the climatop carbon label has to cause significantly lower
CO2 emissions during its life cycle compared to relevant goods or services of the same
category. Climatop aims at providing a basis for consumers' decision making. The label
bases on LCA data from EcoInvent database. A product can only be labelled if it has an at
least 20 percent lower CO2e emission then comparable products of its product group. In
addition, the product has to fulfil several other requirements regarding environmental and
social standards. The label does not display any figures on CO2e emissions. The number of
products awarded the climatop label is increasing continuously, including besides products
from Migros also products from other providers. At the moment, five food products are
labelled (salt, organic raw cane sugar, organic cane sugar, crème légère, fresh asparagus).
Critical acclaim:
The approach to award only the best product the climatop label without displaying any
details, makes it easy for consumers to use it as support for their purchase decision. Also,
there is no precision pretended that cannot be redeemed. It has to be positively remarked
that the climatop website provides factsheets and critical reviews on the LCA studies the
label is basing on. That way it is assured that the calculation is scientifically based and
consumers have access to background data (e.g. range of PCF of different products within
one product group). The label itself does not display any figures but shows only that the
certified product belongs to the best performing products within one product group. In part of
the product groups the rating bases only on products offered by one retailer (e.g. washing
powder, toilet paper sold by Migros), which bears the risk of ignoring relevant products on the
market with a principally better or worse performance. Additionally, there is no stakeholder
involvement foreseen in the process of labelling.
26