Environmental Choice New Zealand
FAQ's
ECNZ is the acronym for Environmental Choice New Zealand.
Using the Environmental Choice label means:
Yes, the Environmental Choice label:
Environmental 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 Environmental Choice New Zealand Label
View a list of products and services that have the Environmental Choice New Zealand Label
All products that carry the Environmental 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.
Environmental Choice New Zealand (ECNZ) 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.
ECNZ 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.
ECNZ 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
Environmental 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 Environmental Choice website is an up to date list of the products and services that carry an ECNZ 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 Environmental Choice for further investigation.
Not necessarily – in some supermarkets the price vary due to promotional activity.
ECNZ 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 Environmental Choice New Zealand Label
Environmental 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 ECNZ 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 Environmental 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 Environmental Choice label.
Download the Guide for New Applicants
The first steps are:
This is largely up to the applicant. ECNZ 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 Environmental Choice label.
The Environmental Choice label is well regarded internationally. As a member of GEN (Global Ecolabelling Network) Environmental 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:
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.
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 Environmental Choice label.
Retailers can contact suppliers who have the ECNZ 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.