TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Environment Ministry has issued the Regulation of Environment Minister No 2/2014 regarding the eco-labeling for 12 products, which include papers, textile, leather, detergent, batteries, wall paints, floor tiles, and plastic bags.

Environment Ministry’s deputy assistant of standardization and technology Nur Adi Wardoyo said on Wednesday, March 19, 2014 that other products would follow.

According to the regulation, the eco-label on a product will be valid for three years and is extendable after being evaluated by the ministry.

There are two types of eco-labels that will be used for a product: the self-declaration label and the multi-criteria label. The self-declaration label is an initial claim by a manufacturer that its product has met certain environmental aspects, while the multi-criteria is a certification issued by the Environment Ministry stating that a product is eco-friendly.

The Environment Ministry has established two institutions to verify the eco-label. The Ecolabel Certification Institution is tasked to ensure that a product has met the multi-criteria requirements, while the Ecolabel Verification Institution will verify manufacturer’s claims of its eco-friendly self-declaration.

The eco-labeling regulation is aimed at encouraging consumers to opt eco-friendly products, as well as increasing manufacturers’ competitiveness in both domestic and international markets.

TRI ARTINING PUTRI