Logo Watch

	The Mobius Loop The internationally recognised recycling symbol is the 3 chasing arrows icon. Each arrow represents an aspect of a successful recycling programme: collection, remanufacturing / reprocessing into a new product, and finally purchase by the consumer.
	The European Eco-label 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. Products featuring the Eco-label should become more widespread as manufacturers apply to be allowed to use the label on products that comply with the appropriate criteria, which are based on detailed life cycle analysis. For more information visit: http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/ecolabel/
	The Blue Angel This scheme is administered by the German Quality Control Institute, and has been established since 1979. It covers a wide range of consumer products from wallpaper to tyres. Currently, over 4,000 products from various manufacturers carry this widely recognised label. For recycled paper to qualify for the mark, it must be made of 100% waste paper (tolerance 5%), and contain at least 51% low grade or medium grade scrap and wastes. For more information visit: http://www.blauer-engel.de/englisch/portal/portal.htm
	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. For more information visit: http://www.svanen.nu/Eng/default.asp
	NAPM Recycled Mark This mark is awarded to those papers which contain a minimum of 75% genuine waste. Genuine waste is defined as: Converters’ waste - paper which has left the mill and has become waste during a converting process such as cutting or slitting to meet a specific commercial order. Printers’ waste - printed or unprinted waste collected from a printing operation (trimmings, overs or rejects). Domestic or Office waste - collected from homes and offices, printed or unprinted.
	TCO Label The Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees currently offers TCO labels for information technology products. The labels address the life cycle or ‘cradle to grave’ approach to the manufacturing process where it bans such chemicals as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and certain chlorinated solvents. It also limits low-frequency electrical and magnetic emissions. For more information visit: http://www.tco.se/TCO_english-index.asp
	ISO 14001 A supplier operating an environmental management system may seek certification to ISO 14001. This standard specifies the requirements for an environmental management system in terms of an organisation’s environmental commitment to a policy, compliance with applicable legislation and regulations and to continual improvement in its overall performance. For more information visit: www.iso14000.com
	Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) The MSC has developed an international environmental standard for fisheries management through an extensive two-year stakeholder consultation. This standard is based on the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. The MSC rewards good fishing practice with an eco-label. This recognises responsible fishery management practices and provides consumers with the opportunity to make purchasing choices in support of sustainable fisheries. For more information visit: www.msc.org
	Fair Trade Federation (FTF) FTF is an association of fair trade wholesalers, retailers, and producers whose members are committed to providing fair wages and good employment opportunities to economically disadvantaged artisans and farmers worldwide. FTF also acts as a clearinghouse for information on fair trade and provides resources and networking opportunities for its members. By adhering to social criteria and environmental principles, Fair Trade Organisations (FTOs) foster a more equitable and sustainable system of production and trade that benefits people and their communities. For more information visit: www.fairtradefederation.com
	Forestry Industry Committee of Great Britain (FICGB) Woodmark This mark 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 Au t h o r i t y. For more information visit: www.forestry.gov.uk
	EC Energy Label By law, the EC Energy Label must be displayed on all white goods such as fridges, freezers and washing machines. The label also provides an assessment of the product’s energy efficiency, as well as giving an estimate of electricity and water consumption on standard settings, performance, noise levels and whether the product has gained an ecolabel. The label identifies the most energy efficient models on a scale of A-G,A being the most efficient.
Food Assurance Schemes
	British Farm Standard – Red Tractor British Farm Standard is about ensuring that farmers and growers are producing food to meet a set of agreed standards of good agricultural practice that are checked regularly by trained inspectors. Over 78,000 UK farmers and growers are committed to the standard which cover the beef and lamb, pork, poultry, dairy, vegetables, cereals and oilseeds sectors. www.littleredtractor.org.uk
	Lion Quality Mark The Lion Quality mark on eggshells and egg boxes means that the eggs have been produced to the high standard of food safety. These include compulsory vaccination against Salmonella of all pullets destined for Lion egg-producing flocks, improved traceability of eggs and a “bestbefore” date stamped on the shell and pack which shows that theyare fresher than required by law, and on-farm and packing station hygiene controls. www.britegg.co.uk
	Freedom Food Freedom Food was set up by the RSPCA with the purpose of raising standards of farm animal welfare across the country. The standard, developed with guidance from scientific experts and livestock specialists, are designed to be implemented on both large commercial and smaller scale farms covering both indoor and outdoor systems. This helps to provide real welfare improvements for as many as possible of the 860 million farm animals reared for food each year in the UK.  www.freedomfood.org.uk
	The Soil Association Organic Symbol This is one of the UK’s most recognisable trademarks 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. For more information visit: www.soilassociation.org
	The Fair Trade mark Where producers receive a fair price for their produce, particularly coffee, tea, cotton and other commodities. www.fairtrade.org.uk