FAQ's

• Ecolabelling is a voluntary method of environmental performance certification and labelling that is practised around the world.
• An ecolabel is a label which identifies overall environmental preference of a product or service within a specific product/service category based on life cycle considerations.

Using the Eco Choice label means:

• A product or service has lower environmental impact
• A company has made an ongoing commitment to the New Zealand environment and
• A more sustainable economy

Yes, the Eco Choice label:

• Is New Zealand's official environmental label, owned and endorsed by The Ministry for the Environment,
• Is the only Type I eco-label in New Zealand,
• Applies a rigorous, multi-criteria assessment,
• Looks at the entire lifecycle of the product,
• Includes an independent third party verification process and
• Is subject to an independent Peer Review to ensure compliance with ISO 14020 and ISO 14024 principles.

Eco Choice label is a green and black globe and tick symbol though it may sometimes appear in the black and white version.

Recent Market research shows a high awareness of the label.
There is growing customer (business and consumer) awareness and demand for products and services that are better for the environment.
There is also increasing demand for sustainable procurement and both government and local businesses are requesting proof of sustainable processes that include third party verified credentials.

View a list of products and services that have the Eco Choice Aotearoa Label

View a list of licensed companies

View a list of products and services that have the Eco Choice Aotearoa Label

No

All products that carry the Eco Choice label are required to complete an annual audit.

There is growing customer (business and consumer) awareness and demand for products and services that are better for the environment. There is also increasing demand for sustainable procurement and both government and local businesses are requesting proof of sustainable processes that include third party verified credentials.

Eco Choice Aotearoa (Eco Choice) is a government-owned-label and is operated independently for the government by The New Zealand Ecolabelling Trust. It is a non-profit charitable trust with assessments carried out by independent third parties.

Here! Browse our site and if you cannot find the information you are looking for - contact us.

Eco Choice develops the criteria and applies a rigorous, multi-criteria assessment across the entire life-cycle of a product.

Independent experts develop the criteria and apply a rigorous, multi-criteria assessment across the entire life-cycle of a product.

Eco Choice is a member of The Gobal Ecolabelling Network (GEN) which is a group of Type I ecolabels from around the world. For more information visit Global Eco-labelling Network

Eco Choice licenses products and services (not companies as a whole) across the entire life cycle. Specifications take into account the environmental impacts of greatest concern. A carbon label is an example of a single issue label.

The Eco Choice website is an up to date list of the products and services that carry an Eco Choice license. View a list of products and services
If you are concerned about products claiming they carry a license but are not listed here or alternatively if you have concerns about a product carrying the license but not complying please contact Eco Choice for further investigation.

Not necessarily – in some supermarkets the price vary due to promotional activity.

Eco Choice labelled products can be found in the supermarket, stationery store, DIY and paint store and many other locations. View a list of licensed products with links to their websites which will provide information on where to buy.

View a list of products and services that have the Eco Choice Aotearoa Label

Eco Choice specifications have been written specifically for the New Zealand market and take into account the environmental concerns of New Zealand. View the full list of published specifications

Criteria are developed where a reasonable demand is identified and approved by the New Zealand Ecolabelling Trust Board.
Existing specifications are reviewed every 3-5 years to ensure the requirements are current and to encourage continuous improvement. View the full list of published specifications

Criteria can be developed for any product or service that can be proven to be environmentally preferable within a product or service category. New specifications will be considered when there is a demand which justifies the development cost.

No, not that Eco Choice is aware of.

The label is valid as long as the license holder continues to comply with the requirements which include an annual review. All labelled products and services need to be audited annually in order to maintain their license.

Yes, existing licensees are given 12 months from the date a revised specification is published to meet the new criteria.

In a situation where an organisation is contract manufacturing a product on behalf of another organisation it is possible for the manufacturer to hold the license and allow resellers to use it. This is not generally recommended and would need to be discussed with Eco Choice.

No. It is not mandatory but it is highly recommended so that business can benefit and customers know which products and services are environmentally preferable.

Any business with a product or service that can be proven to be environmentally preferable can apply for the Eco Choice label.
Download the Guide for New Applicants

The first steps are:

• Review the Guide for New Applicants and contact Eco Choice if you have any questions
• Complete an Application Form
• An assessor will be assigned and will contact you to assess the scope
• Your assessor will prepare a formal work and fee proposal for The Trust
• Your submission needs to include (in paper or electronic copy):
• A completed Applicant Checklist
• Supporting information and
• An Applicant Statement on Compliance (completed and signed towards the end of the assessment process).
• The assessor will review the information above and complete an onsite audit.

• The application fee is $1,000.00 + GST.
• Annual audits will be charged at cost + 5% [admin fee]. An estimate will be given prior to the commencement of the assessment.
• Annual Licence Fee is based on the declared annual net sales value of all products which are licensed.
• View the fee schedule

This is largely up to the applicant. Eco Choice is capable of completing the process fairly quickly and a license could be granted in as little as four weeks as long as the relevant information is readily available.

Yes.
Many products manufactured overseas already carry the Eco Choice label.

The Eco Choice label is well regarded internationally. As a member of GEN (Global Ecolabelling Network) Eco Choice has mutual recognition agreements with labels from all over the world which is of benefit to New Zealand licensees who export product as well as those who import product into New Zealand.

Here are a few benefits to your business:

• Meet customer (business and consumer) demand
• Gain a competitive edge and a strong point of difference
• Position your products as environmentally better than those of your competitors
• Respond quickly to tender requests from the government or businesses emphasising sustainability and requiring environmental credentials
• Get the use of New Zealand's most robust eco-label
• Demonstrate business integrity and commitment to your environment and customers
• Be seen to be doing the right thing and ‘walking the talk'
• Gain the recognised assurance that customers are looking for
• Be seen as an early adopter who is on trend
• Be seen as innovative and forward thinking
• Increased sales

Contact Us

The label carries most weight in New Zealand as criteria have been developed specifically for the New Zealand environment. However, there are no restrictions to the label's use overseas.

Read our guidelines for using the Eco Choice NZ Logo

Yes, however we recommend that licence holders develop their own marketing plan.

More than 60 New Zealand businesses with some 1,700 products have put their trust in the Eco Choice label.

No.

Retailers can contact suppliers who have the Eco Choice licensed products. View our list of products and services

The product must comply with the requirements of the specification.

Yes, provided the license holder complies with guidelines for the use of the label.