§ Mr. LazarowiczTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her Department's policy is on the European eco-label. [185328]
§ Mr. TimmsThe Government have played a full part in building up this scheme at EU level and we fully support the aims of this high-quality voluntary label, which helps to promote products with genuinely lower environmental impacts.
Defra administers the scheme in the UK and consults the DTI on matters such as the proposed technical criteria for the product groups covered by the scheme. Defra also consults other Departments and the Devolved Administrations, as well as business and other stakeholders. It has publicised the scheme in a number of ways, including currently an electronic newsletter for business about the use of environmental claims and labelling, and a free guide to consumers about reliable green labels.