§ Mr. Bill O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when Her Majesty's Government introduced the European Union eco-labelling scheme; how it is financed; and what is the total cost of the scheme to date; [19740]
(2) how many (a) product categories and (b) products have been awarded the Eco-label since March 1992; [19908]
(3) if he will make a statement on the publicity given in promoting the Eco-labelling Scheme detailing (a) the form in which publicity has been provided and (b) its cost; [19910]
(4) how many people are employed by the Eco-labelling Board. [19907]
29W
§ Angela EagleThe United Kingdom Ecolabelling Board was established in November 1992 to administer the European Union eco-labelling scheme within the United Kingdom. It is financed partly by grant-in-aid from the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and the Department of Trade and Industry, and partly by income from application and licence fees. The Board has received a total of £3.5 million in grant-in-aid to date.
Since the launch of the scheme, a total of 12 products in four categories (washing machines, toilet paper, kitchen towels and household paints and varnishes) have been awarded the ecolabel within the United Kingdom.
The Board promotes the scheme through leaflets, newsletters, exhibitions, conferences and press advertising, and has spent a total of £500,000 on promotion to date. The scheme also featured in a number of broader-based advertising campaigns run by the then Department of the Environment in 1996 and early 1997.
The United Kingdom Ecolabelling Board comprises a Chairman and 14 members, all of whom serve part time. They are supported by an executive of seven full-time officers and one part-time officer.