How eco-labels can help you make better choices
World Consumer Rights Day on 15 March highlights consumers’ right to clear information. The EU’s Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition directive aims to reduce misleading environmental claims. Independent eco-labels, such as Good Environmental Choice (Bra Miljöval), can help consumers find products that meet environmental requirements.
What is World Consumer Rights Day?
World Consumer Rights Day, celebrated on 15 March, draws attention to consumer rights around the world. The day highlights, among other things, the right to clear information, safe products and the ability to make informed decisions.
Today, sustainable consumption is becoming increasingly important. Many consumers want to consider environmental and climate impacts when they shop – but it can be difficult to know which products and services actually meet environmental standards.
For this reason, the EU has introduced new rules through the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition directive, which aims to make environmental information clearer and more reliable.
New EU rules to reduce misleading environmental claims
The EU directive Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition aims to strengthen consumers’ ability to make informed decisions. Among other things, the rules mean that companies may not use general environmental claims unless they are supported by clear and verifiable evidence.
This means that terms that may be vague or lack a clear definition cannot be used in marketing without documentation explaining what the claim actually means.
The goal is to make it easier for consumers to compare products and services and to reduce the risk of misleading environmental information.
Eco-labels make choosing easier
For many consumers, analysing environmental information about every product can be difficult. Independent eco-labels can therefore serve as a practical guide.
An independent eco-label means that:
- clear environmental criteria have been established
- the requirements are publicly available
- a third party verifies that the criteria are met
- This makes it easier to quickly identify products and services that comply with defined environmental standards.
Good Environmental Choice – a label with high environmental standards
Good Environmental Choice is one of Sweden’s best-known eco-labels. It appears on several types of products and services, such as electricity, transport, grocery stores and chemical products.
The criteria cover areas such as climate impact, biodiversity and the use of chemicals. The standards are developed by the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation and are monitored to ensure compliance.
For consumers, the label can make it easier to quickly find products and services that meet clear environmental requirements.
Tips: how to make more environmentally friendly choices in everyday life
Taking the environment and climate into account when consuming does not have to be complicated. Some simple ways to get started include:
- looking for independent eco-labels
- comparing products before purchasing
- choosing products with clear information about their environmental impact
- selecting services that meet environmental criteria
- When more consumers demand products and services that meet clear environmental standards, this can also influence how companies develop their offerings.
Your choices play an important role in the transition
World Consumer Rights Day on 15 March is a reminder that consumers play an important role in society. With clearer EU rules and access to independent eco-labels, it becomes easier to make informed decisions and contribute to a more environmentally responsible lifestyle.
