Requirements on Consumer Information about Product ... - ANEC

Consumer Information about PCF
as well as application of chemicals for textile dyes and finishing (water emissions, hazardous
substances on the textile). For a discussion of the possible role of LCA in textile production
see also Jödicke (2001), for an environmental assessment of textiles see Laursen et al.
(2007).
At the moment, there is no evidence suggesting that adverse effects occur when optimizing
according to PCF. However, data are still incomplete.
In summary, it can be concluded that a PCF label does not make sense, but that it is more
reasonable to concentrate on type I labels with their multicriterial approach (e.g. focus on
water, pesticides, chemicals) on the one hand and on organic agriculture resp. textiles from
organic grown fibres on the other hand.
6.7 Category 3 (products with relevance to climate at production phase)
Example 3: Electricity supply
The CO2e relevance of the electricity production is high. The electricity consumption is
caused by many different energy using products in one household (e.g. washing machine,
dishwasher, computer, heat pump etc.), the electricity, however, being delivered by one
supplier. Therefore, consumers have to make one decision and contract concerning their
supplier and the specific electricity product they want to purchase.
The following approaches (e.g. rankings, rating system) exist:
• According to EU Directive 2003/54/EC, electricity suppliers have to specify the
contribution of each energy source to the overall fuel mix of the supplier over the
preceding year in or by means of the bills and in promotional materials made available
to final customers. Furthermore, they have to indicate at least the reference to existing
reference sources, such as web-pages, where information on the environmental
impact, in terms of at least emissions of CO2 and the radioactive waste resulting from
the electricity produced by the overall fuel mix of the supplier over the preceding year is
publicly available […] (see §3, 6.).
ð Remark: Within the project “Consumer Choice and Carbon Consciousness for Electricity
(4C Electricity)” it was analysed which kind of information is useful for consumers
and SMEs and in which form it should be presented (for more information including
project reports etc. see www.electricitylabels.com).
• Concerning type I labels, the Blue Angel for green electricity is currently under
development.
• There exist a variety of other labels from different organisations, focussing on the
certification of green electricity with proved added value for the environment (for
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