EU backs Lanka’s eco-label drive

Over fifty leaders from public and private sectors convened in Colombo to bolster Sri Lanka’s National Eco-Labelling Framework (NELF), as part of a more sustainable marketplace. This diverse group of government officials, industry representatives, eco-labelling owners, certification bodies, technical experts and development partners explored ways to strengthen the system for sustainable products, responsible businesses and informed consumer choices.

The meeting was orchestrated by the European Union-funded Green Recovery Facility, implemented by Expertise France in collaboration with Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Environment.

The EU’s Dr Johann Hesse emphasized the significance of credible and transparent environmental standards in global trade, stating that the initiative supports Sri Lanka in building necessary institutions and technical capacity to strengthen sustainable production, increase consumer confidence and unlock new market opportunities.

Ecological labeling has gained importance globally, with nearly 1.8 million products worldwide carrying recognized eco-labels. However, the proliferation of over 300 eco-labels in the United States and six out of ten Europeans struggling to differentiate credible environmental claims from misleading ones underscores the necessity for trustworthy and transparent certification systems.

By enhancing Sri Lanka’s eco-labelling system, consumers can make informed purchasing decisions, businesses can adopt sustainable production methods, and local industries can meet international environmental standards. The ongoing initiative aims to reduce the risk of greenwashing by promoting clear, science-based and transparent environmental standards.

Launched in 2022, Sri Lanka’s NELF serves as the foundation for a nationally recognized eco-labelling system, with sector-specific initiatives like the Green Label by the Green Building Council of Sri Lanka and energy rating programs by the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority already in operation. Nevertheless, discrepancies in criteria, limited national recognition and the necessity for improved integration with Green Public Procurement highlight the importance of a unified national approach.

The EU-funded Green Recovery Facility focuses on assessing existing eco-labelling schemes, aligning technical criteria, enhancing governance arrangements and developing a practical implementation roadmap. It also includes capacity-building activities to support existing and emerging eco-labelling scheme owners in strengthening practices and improving scheme robustness to minimize the risk of greenwashing.

The workshop introduced a proposed tiered recognition system to provide businesses with a credible path to national recognition, regardless of their stage in the sustainability journey. Stakeholders will continue to shape the final form of this system in the coming months.

Addressing the consultation, R.H.M.P. Abeykoon, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Environment, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to developing a credible, scalable and internationally recognized eco-labelling system. She highlighted that such a system would bolster consumer confidence, support sustainable industries and enable Sri Lankan businesses to respond to evolving environmental expectations in domestic and international markets.

Stakeholders discussed three key areas during the consultation: industry readiness and capacity-building, priority sectors and product categories, and the framework’s future structure and implementation roadmap. Representatives from various sectors identified aligning eco-labelling with Green Public Procurement, strengthening testing and verification capacity, and implementing a phased, tested roll-out of the new system as priorities.