Environmental Claims And Labels

Where no products of this type any longer contain X, or X is in any case prohibited by law

Meaningless if not supported by more detailed information.

Meaningless if not explained, e.g. a product may biodegrade in 5 days or 5 years.

Virtually all forests are managed in some way - should have verification from an independent and reputable body

The Mobius Loop - This is the internationally recognised recycling symbol where each arrow represents an aspect of a successful recycling programme: collection, remanufacturing into a new product and purchase by the consumer. The symbol means that a product can be recycled or if a percentage is included, it means that it contains recycled material.

The European Ecolabel - This scheme was launched to avoid proliferation of separate national schemes. Award of the label signals that the item meets “rigorous environmental criteria and proper fitness of use”, but it does not necessarily mean that a product contains any recycled content.

The Nordic Swan - This label was introduced by the Nordic Council of Ministers in 1989, to encourage production methods that create the minimum environmental impact. It covers fine papers and soft tissue grades, but does not necessarily imply that the product contains any recycled fibre.

NAPM Recycled Mark - This mark is awarded to those papers which contain a minimum of 75% genuine waste.

The Forest Stewardship Council inspect forest operations and grant labels certifying that timber has been produced from well managed forests. For additional information, check out their Web site: www.fsc-uk.org

EPA Energy Star - The Energy Star® Office Equipment Program is a self-certification program dedicated to reducing energy consumption. It was developed in 1992 by the US environmental Protection Agency to reduce energy wasted during idle periods by personal computers, printers, fax machines, copiers and scanners. For more information see Web site: www.epa.gov/appdstar/esoe

The European energy label. Under a European scheme, manufacturers and retailers must tell you about the energy efficiency of many electrical appliances. It works using a simple scale where products are rated from 'A' to 'G', with 'A' being the most efficient and 'G' being the least efficient.

The Energy Saving Recommended logo has been introduced by the Energy Saving Trust, an independent government funded body, to identify products and services which save or use less energy. This label is used to promote energy saving appliances.

The Soil Association Organic Symbol is the UK's most recognisable trademark for organic produce. When used on food packaging, it tells the consumer that product is certified to the highest organic standards and provides reassurance of organic authenticity. Farmers, growers, processors and retailers value the Organic Symbol as it embodies high professional standards of production, handling, storage and sale. More information: www.soilassociation.org

The FICGB (Forestry Industry Committee of Great Britain) Woodmark is used to indicate to timber specifiers and consumers that a wood product is derived from British grown timber, which has been felled in accordance with a standard defined by regulations implemented by the Forestry Authority. More information: www.forestry.gov.uk

The Fairtrade Mark is an independent consumer label that appears on UK products as a guarantee that they have given their producers a better deal. The Mark is awarded by the Fairtrade Foundation and ensures better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. It ensures that smaller farmers are guaranteed better prices, which cover the cost of production, no matter how the world market process goes. For more information see: www.fairtrade.org.uk