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Guidelines for Certification

National Ecolabelling ProgrammeGreen Choice PhilippinesISO 14024 Application

116f12

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“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed

” Mahatma Gandhi

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The Philippine ecolabelling programme is an ISO 14020 application, particularly following the guiding principles set by ISO 14024 for the Type I Environmental Labelling or Ecolabelling. This ISO 14024 series awards an environmental label to products and services that meet a set of predetermined requirements or criteria for a particular product or service.

The program is voluntary in nature and characterized by a third party declaration. The products or services are subjected to scrutiny on a voluntary basis, in which, the manufacturers and/or distributors of a particular product or service intentionally apply for an ecolabel. A third party is an independent entity outside the supplier (first party) and purchaser (second party) that evaluates the validity of the environmental claims of the product or service made by the applicant as basis for the eco-label. In the Philippines, the third party is the National Ecolabelling Programme of the Philippines-Green Choice Philippines (NELP-GCP).

NELP-GCP awards the Green Choice Philippines positive seal of approval to a product or service that meets the established leadership criteria. A 3-year license to use the GCP eco-label is given to a particular product or service that passed the predetermined environmental standards. Such standards take into consideration the life cycle stages (cradle to grave) of a product or service.

Its unique logo, also being used as the Seal of Approval for products and services that passed the predetermined product criteria, represents the different elements of the environment and its being global in nature. The logo is a sphere divided into two parts. On the left side is the

National Ecolabelling ProgrammeGreen Choice Philippines

an ISO10024 application

NAME

LOGO

The green Choice Philippines (GCP) is the official name of the national ecomabelling program of the country. It is a duly registered name with the Intelectual Property Rights of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

dark blue Earth while on the right side is a dark green leaf. At the center is a drop of clean water and a bloom A green

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VISION

MISSION

GOALS

Environmentally preferable products and services are being produced and distributed in the Philippines.

To guide the Filipino society in choosing which of the products and services being produced and distributed in the country pose the minimum risks to environmental health and welfare.

1. To guide the consumers when purchasing products & services that has reduced impacts to the environment;2. To encourage manufacturers to adopt processes and supply environmentally sound prod-ucts; and3. To use the label to empower the consumers and com-plement the government’s environmental policy.

Organizational StructureThe ecolabelling programme is presided over by the

National Ecolabelling Programme of the Philippines (NELP)

Technical Board that acts as the main policy-making body

of the program.The Philippine Center for Environmental

Protection and Sustainable Development,

Inc. (PCEPSDI) serves as the NELP

Administrator or Programme Secretariat.

There are two functional committees

namely the NELP-Technical Committee

(NELP-TC) that is mainly responsible

for the development of product criteria,

and the NELP-Promotion and Advocacy

Committee (NELP-PAC) that is tasked

to campaign and promote the national

ecolabelling program.

The NELP Technical Board is a

quasi-government entity with multi-

sector representation. Currently, the

Technical Board has eleven (11)

members from government agencies,

industry associations, non- government

organizations, and consumer groups.

EcolabellingProgramme BodyGoverned by the

NELP-GCP Board

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The NELP-TC is primarily tasked to develop product criteria. GCP needs to develop a significant number of product

criteria for various product categories in order to acquire a critical mass of ecolabelled products or services that are

available in the market. It is a group of technical experts composed of representatives from the academe, research

institutions, government agencies, trade and industry associations, professional institutions, private organizations and

scientific testing centers. In particular, NELP-TC’s responsibilities are the following:

Under the guidance of the NELP-TC, the TWGs are ad hoc committees assigned to deliberate on the details of

the development of product criteria for specific product categories. The TWGs are formed to develop criteria for a

product category. Each TWG is composed of groups or sectors equipped with technical knowledge and experience

relevant to the product category being studied. Specifically, TWG is responsible for determining the significant

environmental impacts of the products or services and for developing the ecolabelling criteria which will serve as bases

for evaluation of applicants for ecolabelling.

Realizing the importance to draw public awareness on the benefits of the program, the NELP-GCP Board organized

the NELP-PAC to oversee the necessary tasks to promote the national ecolabelling program to the public and business

entities. The committee members are composed of various sectors from the academe, industries, consumer groups,

and government information agencies.

To recommend to the

NELP-GCP Board the

draft criteria for approval;

and d. To establish

and dissolve Technical

Working Groups.

To identify and

recommend a product

category to the

NELP-GCP Board for

criteria development;

To review and amend,

as needed, the draft

criteria submitted by

the Technical Working

Group (TWG);

NELP Promotion & Advocacy CommitteeComposed of Multi-sectoral representatives

NELP-GCP AdministratorManaged by PCEPSDI

NELP Technical Committee For Product Criteria DevelopmentComposed of Multi-sectoral representatives

Technical Working Group(s)AdHoc group formed on a per product category

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NELP-GCP Board CompositionBOARDMEMBERS

TECHNICALCOMMITTEE

CHAIRPERSON:Department of Trade and IndustryConsumer Welfare and Business Regulations Group (CWBRG)

CO-CHAIRPERSON:Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB)

CHAIRPERSON:De La Salle University- Center for Engineering and Sustainable Develop-ment Research (CESDR)

MEMBERS:

1. Department of Budget and Management -Procurement Service (DBM-PS)

2. Department of Science and Technology - Industrial Technology and

Development Institute (DOST- ITDI)

3. Department of Energy - Energy Research and Testing Laboratory Services

(ERTLS-DOE)

4. National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC)

5. National Consumer Affairs Council (NCAC )

6. Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP)

7. Philippine Business for the Environment (PBE)

8. Concerned Citizens Advocating Philippine Environmental Sustainability

(COCAP Environmental Sustainability)

9. Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable

Development, Inc. (PCEPSDI)

MEMBERS:

1. Department of Trade and Industry - Bureau of Product Standards (DTI-BPS)

2. Department Department of Environment and Natural Resources -

Environmental Management

Bureau (EMB)

3. University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) - National Science and

Research Institute (NSRI)

4. Department of Science and Technology - Industrial Technology and

Development Institute (DOST-ITDI)

5. Miriam College - Environmental Studies Institute (MC-ESI)

6. Mapua Institute of Technology – School of Civil Engineering and

Environmental and Sanitary Engineering (MIT-CE-ENSE)

7. Ateneo De Manila University - Department of Environmental Science

(ADM-DES)

8. St. Luke’s Medical Center - Research and Biotechnology Division

(SLMC-RBD)

9. Department of Health - National Center for Disease Prevention and Control

(DOH-NCDPC)

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20060008Portable Fire

Extinguishers Carbon Dioxide, Dry Chemical,

Clean Extinguishing Agent

PROMOTION & ADVOCACY COMMITTEECHAIRPERSON:Development Academy of the Philippines – Center for Sustainable Human Development (DAP-CSHD)

MEMBERS:

1. National Consumer Affairs

Council (NCAC)

2. Department of Trade and Industry - Board of Investments (DTI-BOI)

3. Department of Budget and Management – Procurement Service (DBM-PS)

4. Philippines Business for the Environment (PBE)

5. Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PhilExport)

6. Management Association of the Philippines - Environment Committee

(MAP-EC)

7. Concerned Citizens Advocating Philippine Environmental Sustainability

(COCAP Environmental Sustainability)

GCP Code

20070010

20030004

2008001520070013

20020002

20070011

20040006

20080016200800014

20060009

20030003

20070012

20060007

20080017

ProductCategory

FlourescentLamp

Polyethylene and

Polypropylene

Packaging Materials

PenWater-Based Paint

Tissue Paper Products

ElectronicBallast

Printing and Writing Paper

PencilLiquidDisinfectants

Cement

Zinc-Carbon & Zinc-Alkaline Manganese DioxideBatteries

Oil-BasedPaint

Crayons

Paper Envelope

NELP-GCPEstablishedProductCriteria

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PRP 20110006 PRP 20150007PRP 20110005 20130034

Fiber Cement Board

Building Board Using Composite

Materials

Light Emitting Diode (LED)

Food Services Establishments

20080018

Paperboard

20080020 2008002120080019 20080022

TonerCartridge

Automotive Service Station

InkjetCartridge

DesktopComputer

20080028

FacsimileMachine

20080030 2008003120080029 20080032

HairShampoo

Liquid Dishwashing

Bath Soap AutomotiveEngine Oil

2008002520080023 2008002620080024 20080027

PrinterLaptopComputer

PhotocopierComputer Monitor

Multi-Function Printing Device

PRP 2009000220080033 PRP 20100003PRP 20080001 PRP 20100004

Induction Lamp Luminaires

Synthetic Laundry Detergent

CeramicTile

Organic Infill Material

Organic Liquid Disinfectant

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Guidelines for Awarding the Green Choice Seal of Approval

SECTION 1.The Green Choice Programme

BACKGROUND

The continuous development of policies and systems that aim to care for the environment and the creation of effective instruments for their implementation is a major responsibility of our government. While the world does not necessarily demand compliance to environmental standards related primarily to testing and measuring pollution through the International Standards Organization (ISO) 14000 series, the Philippines has already adopted these systems to provide an option for concerned entities to abide by sound environmental practices and procedures.

Standards of the ISO 14000 series are concerned with complex environmentally-oriented management, which includes Environmental Labelling, often called as Ecolabelling. A voluntary application with a third party certification body, the programme usually identifies products that have less environmental impact, sets up environmental requirements and awards a special label to products that meet these standards. It is seen as an important market instrument used to complement mandatory laws and regulations for environmental protection set by the government.

The National Ecolabelling Programme-Green Choice Philippines (NELP-GCP) is the government’s response to our need to change

consumer preferences and practices, initiating a demand for environmental responsiveness from all sectors of society.

When Republic Act No. 9003, also known as the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000,” was approved on 26 January 2001, the National Ecolabelling Programme (NELP) of the Philippines was given a legal basis. Article 4 of Section 27 states that “DTI shall formulate and implement a coding system for packaging materials and products to facilitate waste recycling and reuse.” The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through its Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) and the Private Sector Participation in Managing the Environment – Environmental Management System Module (PRIME Module 3), adopted a plan for the development of the National Product Ecolabelling Programme.

The NELP-GCP intends to guide consumers to choose products that are environmentally sound; to encourage manufacturers to adopt processes and supply products that have less adverse environmental impacts; and to use the label to empower the consumers and complement the government’s environmental policy.

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THE GREEN CHOICE PHILIPPINES LOGO

The NELP logo is a sphere divided into two parts. The dark blue left side represents the Earth, symbolizing the global nature of the movement. The green right side features a dark green leaf that embodies nature. At the center is a drop of clean water and a bloom that also symbolizes nature and transparency. A green band encircles the sphere where the name “Green Choice Philippines” appears. The environmental consideration that the product category hopes to effect will appear below the Green Choice logo.

PURPOSE

In general, Green Choice Philippines endeavors to uplift consumers’ consciousness on the environmental features of products and services. The logo is awarded to products and services that are certified to be less harmful to the environment, attesting environmental leadership. Hence, if consumers purchase environmentally preferable products and services due to label information, it is hoped that market forces will encourage producers and manufacturers to change their production and business processes to reduce environmental harm.t

SECTION 2.General Procedures of the Green Choice Philippines

TIME FRAME

The process will take approximately 1 to 2 months, from the processing, site visits and product testing, evaluation and validation to the approval of the NELP Technical Board and awarding of the Green Choice Philippines License.

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REQUIREMENTS FOR AWARDING GREEN CHOICE SEAL LICENSE TO A PRODUCT OR SERVICE

a. The applicant must be a manufacturer, importer or distributor of the product in good standing. For non-manufacturer applicants, the manufacturer’s written consent must be presented.

b. The applicant must submit a Letter of Intent and fill up the Application Form and pay the corresponding processing fee (see annex 1). The said form must be notarized.

c. Products must meet the requirements and criteria set forth in the Criteria for Certification.

d. Applicant shall be able to confirm its capability to manufacture products consistently conforming to the criteria of a specific product category.

e. Applicant and product manufacturer (in case the manufacturer is not the applicant, a written consent of the manufacturer must be presented) shall comply with existing environmental laws, regulations and other related legislations.

f. Laws on quality, health, and safety must also be met. However, the NELP Programme has the right not to issue the Green Choice Philippines License despite quality, health, and safety compliance if the product causes environmental problems.

g. The Program Administrator has the right to request for supporting documents i.e. test results to verify applicant’s claims.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR APPLICATION

a. Letter of Intent (signed by Top Management Unit, e.g. CEO/President/General Manager)

b. Notarized Application Form (one form for each product applied)

c. Articles of Incorporation or Business Name and/or Sub-Contracting Agreement

d. Company Profile and/or Annual/Corporate Social Responsibility/Sustainability Report

e. Certificate of BIR Registration, SEC Documents and Sales Report of the Product to be applied for the Seal.

f. Verified true copy of the Official Receipt of payment for processing fee

g. Verified true copy of the various test results that may be required as part of the specified product criteria.

h. A sample product with the product catalog indicating its technical specifications. A color photograph of the product shall also be included.

i. Any other document or material that may be required to supplement the information regarding the product or for the periodic audit of its compliance to the criteria set forth.

The application should be mailed directly to this address:The NELP-GCP Administrator Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, Inc. DAP Bldg., San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Philippines 1600

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GREEN CHOICE PHILIPPINES PROCEDURES ON AWARDING OF SEAL OF APPROVAL

Evaluation of the application will be done according to the guidelines of the NELP-GCP. The product evaluation shall be based on the documents submitted. The Program Administrator may require the applicant to present additional documents or materials if deemed necessary to facilitate better evaluation.

The application for the license to use the Green Choice Philippines Logo shall be made upon submission of the GCP Form 1, in triplicate, which may be obtained from the Programme Administrator. It shall include an undertaking by the Applicant to abide by the Terms and Conditions of the License. The application shall be duly subscribed and sworn to by the applicant, or his duly authorized management representative, and shall be filed only with the Programme Administrator.

The Programme Administrator shall conduct an evaluation based on the requirements outlined in the Criteria for Awarding the Seal of Approval. The Programme Administrator may request for a third party expert examination,

costs of which shall be borne by the applicant. The Programme experts will conduct site visits or review results of product tests to validate claims of the applicant.

In case the product testing, evaluation and validation results failed to meet the criteria set for the product category, the applicant is given 90 days to resolve the results and thereafter submit the product for re- evaluation.

It is expected and required that the applicant, in all stages of the evaluation, to cooperate with any activities pertaining to determining conformance to the product criteria. The applicant shall make available to the Programme Administrator and/or designated representatives and auditors, such information and product samples as may be required for the evaluation of its application, or for the periodic audit of its environmental performance.

After evaluation, the Program Administrator shall then make a recommendation to the NELP Technical Board.

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NOTIFICATION

The NELP-GCP Board, after the recommendation from the Programme Administrator, shall notify the applicant of the results with a formal correspondence. The NELP-GCP Board shall issue the License or other notification deemed appropriate.

USE OF GREEN CHOICE LOGO

A “Use of the Green Choice Philippines Logo” contract shall be signed between the Applicant and the NELP- GCP Administrator represented hereto by their designated official(s). The right to use the logo shall be for a period of 3 years from date of issuance of the Green Choice License and shall be subjected to annual re-audits and when a formal complaint against the use of the Green Choice Logo arises.

An applicant awarded with the Green Choice Philippines License qualifies to use the Green Choice Philippines Logo. Successful applicants will receive a Green Choice Philippines Contract for the Use of the Green Choice Logo together with the notification of the result of the examination, and will be required to enter into this agreement with Green Choice Philippines within one (1) month of receipt of notice. This License signed by the NELP-GCP Board Chairperson and NELP-GCP Administrator Official recognizes the product’s compliance to the Green Choice Philippines product requirements.

Terms for Use of the Green Choice Philippines Logo shall be complied with, including all relevant laws and regulations, as well as specifications provided in the guidelines for usage of the Green Choice Philippines Logo.

THE NELP-GCPAPPLICATION

PROCESS

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SUSPENSION, WITHDRAWAL OR CANCELLATION OF LICENSE

The NELP-GCP has the right to suspend, withdraw or cancel the Applicant’s Contract to Use the Logo on any or all of the following grounds:

a. That the product bearing the Green Choice Philippines Logo fails to conform to the requirements of specific criteria through surveillance audit and market monitoring among others.

b. That the licensee fails to comply with the Terms and Conditions of the license.

c. That the licensee fails to enter into the Contract for the Use of Green Choice Logo within one (1) month of receipt of the notification

d. That the licensee made false statements in connection with its application for or maintenance of the license.

e. That the licensee violates any relevant environmental, quality, health and safety laws.

f. That the NELP-GCP Technical Board reasonably determines that suspension, withdrawal or cancellation of license is necessary for the appropriate implementation of the Green Choice Philippines Program.

The license shall be suspended, withdrawn or cancelled after the NELP-GCP Technical Board has served the licensee a notification, stating therein the grounds for the contemplated action, granting the licensee the opportunity to be heard within fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of notice.

In case when cancellation of license occurs, the applicant is compelled to remove all products bearing theGreen Choice Logo from all distribution and commercial outlets within 15 days of receipt of notice.

FEES AND CHARGES

Fees and charges are to be paid by the local and foreign companies to NELP-GCP Administrator, unless otherwise stated, shall be in accordance with the Schedule of Fees. The fees and charges are subject to changes as may be necessary.

In the event of any untoward incident, the company shall be legally liable and responsible for the auditor during the entire duration of the audit.

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CONFIDENTIALITY

All information, either documented or verbal, disclosed to Green Choice Philippines shall be regarded as confidential and shall not be made available to a third party other than the members of the National Ecolabelling Programme Green Choice Philippines personnel without the prior written consent of the applicant. Where information is required by law to be disclosed to a third party, the company shall be promptly informed in writing of the information provided and the details of the legal situation that may be disclosed.

The NELP-GCP Body and the authorized auditors shall be compelled by confidentiality agreements.

IMPARTIALITY

The Programme Administrator and its duly authorized auditors are to be free from any interest that might cause them to act in an impartial or non-discriminatory manner. If an individual or their employing company has provided consulting services to the National Ecolabelling Programme Green Choice Philippines, their services shall be documented and approved to ensure that the impartiality of the process is not compromised.

The applicant and the Programme Administrator’s authorized auditors shall disclose to the Programme Administrator, prior to the evaluation, any existing, former, or envisaged link between themselves. Auditors shall sign a Work Order to signify their impartiality and agreement of confidentiality.

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Annex 1FEE STRUCTURE

Item RemarksAmount (PhP)

Processing Fee

a. With existing NELP- GCP standard

b. Without existingNELP-GCP standard

Laboratory Tests

Transportation

Board and Lodging

Licensing fee for 3 years

Annual fee

10,000.00

50,000.00

As billed by Testing Laboratory

As per arrangement

As per arrangement

Maximum of 500,000.00Minimum of 50,000.00

Maximum of 100,000.00Minimum of 20,000.00

To cover the reviewprocess, desk review of application papers, a pre- certification audit and the certification audit.

As per arrangement

Only if necessary

Only if necessary

To be paid prior to the awarding of logo

To be paid upon theannual surveillance audit and continued used of logo

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Product/ServiceAnnual Sale (PhP) Licensing Fee (PhP) Annual Fee (PhP)1.) 501 M and Up 500, 000. 00 100, 000. 002.) 401 – 500 M 400, 000. 00 80, 000. 003.) 301 – 400 M 300, 000. 00 60, 000. 004.) 201 – 300 M 200, 000. 00 40, 000. 005.) 101 – 200 M 100, 000. 00 20, 000. 006.) 51 - 100 M 75, 000. 00 20, 000. 007.) < 50 M 50, 000. 00 20, 000. 00

NOTES

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Philippines Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, Inc.5F, DAP Building, San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Philippines 1600

telefax: + 632 631-2151; +632 470-3810email address: greenchoicephilippines@pcepsdi.org.ph