Questionnaire for workshop participants - EU Ecolabel Marketing for ...

� (2b) Article for the “Smeeroliekroniek”
In addition IVAM has prepared an article for the “Smeeroliekroniek”, the magazine of the
Dutch Lubricants Manufacturers Association (VSN, www.smeerolievereniging.nl )
informing their members on developments in the lubricants market and inviting (VAMIL
certified and other) companies to have their products screened by IVAM for compliance
with the EU Ecolabel. Article to be published at the end of 2007 or the start in of 2008
(draft; ANNEX 2).
� (2c) Article for the “European Ecolabel Marketing project
newsletter”
Finally, a short article was prepared for the European Ecolabel Marketing project
newsletter based a the poster presentation given in Gothenburg (see 6 and ANNEX 6)
� (3) Screening VAMIL products on compatibility with the EU
Ecolabel criteria
In 1996, the Dutch Ministry of Environment (VROM) issued a policy in favour of
environmentally friendly lubricants. The tax incentives affecting environmentally friendly
lubricants are operating under the Dutch VAMIL, which allows for accelerated
depreciation of environmental investments. Due to the fact that already 4 producers have
12 products that qualify for the EU Ecolable Lubricants, by the end of 2007, the Dutch
government decided to adopt the EU Ecolabel as the standard for the VAMIL regulation
from 2008 on.
Suppliers and producers of candidate EU Ecolabel lubricants show a proactive attitude in
this. Anticipating on the new government policy to adopt the EU Ecolabel as the basis for
the VAMIL regulation (and the implementation of sustainable/green procurement policy
by 2010) they also start to focus on the re-formulation of products. At the same time
individual companies and their association (VSN) have stimulated the Dutch government
to adopt the EU Ecolabel as the basis for the VAMIL regulation. (planning of screening
activities see 4c).
� (4a) Participation in meeting of companies intending to
develop novel lubricants meeting the EU Ecolabel
requirements
on 11 March 2007, with Ciba, Fuchs and Shell, IVAM participated in meeting on the
European Ecolabel in Freiburg, Germany. The three companies that decided to join forces
in order to develop new lubricants for the Black Forest region meeting the European
Ecolabel. The local authorities (represented by the regional president of the Black Forest)
are committed to this initiative as end user of these new lubricants in the Black Forest
region. During the meeting IVAM presented the EU Ecolabel and provided advice on how
to proceed with the formulation of novel products that should meet the EU Ecolabel
criteria (see PP ANNEX 3). After a meeting in November with a representative of Ciba,
one of the main Black Forest partners, contacts and activities in this context will continue
in 2008.
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