Labels, certificates and standards
Labels, certificates and standards can help you in choosing the eco-friendliest products and services. They can also help you in achieving the sustainability goals set for your meeting. Below, some of common national and international labels, certificates and standards are listed and described. Links to the websites with further information are also provided.
The official Nordic Ecolabel
The Swan (Joutsenmerkki) is the official Nordic Ecolabel, introduced by the Nordic Council of Ministers. It is a very well-known ecolabel in Finland. The Swan symbol is available for around 60 product groups and more than 10000 products and services.
Read more about the official Nordic Ecolabel
The European Ecolabel
The European Ecolabel Scheme aims to encourage the production and consumption of goods and services that respect the environment. Products that bear the EU Ecolabel logo have been officially distinguished as being amongst the most environmentally friendly in their range. An independent organisation awards the label following ecological criteria that take into consideration all the stages in the life of the product.
Read more about the European Ecolabel
The EU organic logo
The logo and the labelling rules are an important part of the organic regulations. With this regulatory framework the European Union provides conditions under which the organic sector can progress in the line with production and market developments, thus improving and reinforcing the EU organic farming standards and import and inspection requirements.
Read more about the EU organic logo
Leppäkerttumerkki / The Finnish Organic Association
Leppäkerttumerkki (The Finnish Organic Association) is a Finnish organic food label, and it can be granted only to Finnish organic products that meet the requirements. To the label it is possible to attach the area where the product was produced. The product carrying the label must meet the regulations of EU organic regulation.
Read more about the Leppäkerttumerkki
Fairtrade
Fairtrade Standards social, economic and environmental standards that are set for both companies and the farmers and workers who grow the food. For farmers and workers, the standards include protection of workers’ rights and the environment, for companies they include the payment of the Fairtrade Minimum Price and an additional Fairtrade Premium to invest in business or community projects of the community’s choice.
Green Key
The Green key label is awarded to for example, hotels and hostels that meet the criteria regarding saving energy and water, producing less waste and recycling, serving vegetarian food and using locally produced and organic ingredients, using ecolabelled detergents and paper products, as well as helping customers to use ecological means of transportation and visit nature sites.
EcoCompass and EcoCompass event
The EcoCompass certificate demonstrates a commitment to continuously improving and complying with the 10 criteria of EcoCompass. EcoCompass is based both on the respective Nordic environmental management systems and on international standards on environmental management. The forces behind EcoCompass are the cities of Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen, as well as HSY, HSL and Helen. (Ekokompassi)
Read more about the EcoCompass and EcoCompass event
WWF Green Office
WWF Green Office aims at sustainable development and combating climate change. The environmental programme helps offices meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The practical measures will help you to pay particular attention to the goals relating to the environment and wellbeing, such as fighting climate change, conserving biodiversity, and developing sustainable forms of livelihood. (WWF Green Office)
Read more about the WWF Green Office
Sustainability standards from ISO
ISO (International Organization for Standardization, www.iso.org) is an independent, non-governmental international organization. ISO has published more than 21500 International Standards and related documents covering almost every industry, from technology to food safety, to agriculture and healthcare. Many organizations aiming to contribute to sustainable development use ISO standards. ISO wants to help standardizers in addressing sustainability in the development process of new standards or when existing standards are being revised with ISO Guide 82.
There are also ISO standards that are specific sustainability standards for a certain field. Such standards can be found at http://iso26000.info/related-standards/, and some standards related to event management are listed below.
ISO 14000 Environmental management
ISO 20121 Event sustainability management systems
ISO 26000 Guidance on Social Responsibility
ISO 20400 Sustainable Procurement
