ISO 14020

• Self-declared environmental claims: These are statements made by the manufacturer or seller about the product’s environmental attributes, like “biodegradable” or “energy-efficient.”
• Ecolabels: These are third-party certifications awarded to products that meet specific environmental criteria, like the Blue Angel or the Nordic Swan.
• Environmental product declarations (EPDs): These are documents that provide detailed information about a product’s life cycle environmental impact, based on a standardized methodology.
• Footprint communications: These are statements about a product’s environmental footprint, such as its carbon footprint or water footprint.

2. Principles: The article outlines five key principles that guide the development and use of environmental statements and programs:

• Credibility: Information should be accurate, verifiable, and unbiased.
• Relevance: Information should be relevant to the environmental concerns of the target audience.
• Clarity and transparency: Information should be presented in a clear and understandable way, avoiding misleading language.
• Comparability: Information should be comparable across different products and programs.
• Accessibility: Information should be readily available to stakeholders.

3. General requirements: The article also specifies general requirements for environmental statements and programs, such as:

• Defining the goal and scope: Clearly stating the purpose of the statement or program and the product(s) it applies to.
• Data collection and analysis: Using reliable and verifiable data to support the claims made.
• Verification and validation: Having the statement or program reviewed by an independent third party to ensure its accuracy and compliance with relevant standards.
• Communication: Presenting information in a clear, concise, and accessible way.

By understanding these principles and requirements, manufacturers, sellers, and consumers can all play a role in promoting transparency and accuracy in claims about a product’s environmental impact. This ultimately leads to more informed decision-making and a more sustainable future.