THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Sustainable Consumption

KEY MESSAGES REFERENCES AND OTHER INFORMATION

Sustainable consumption maximises the benefitsand minimises the negative impacts of economicactivities on the standard of living. One of thebasic sustainable consumption strategies is theuse of environmentally and socially friendlyproducts.

Instruments promoting sustainable consumptioninclude responsible shopping, eco-designs, LCA,sustainable development designs, etc.

If consumers prefer products with a lower negativeimpact on the environment, a new businessenvironment is created for competitive businesses.These, together with consumers, save andeffectively use natural resources while achievingenvironmental savings.

The support for consuming and selling high qualityproducts that have the lowest impact on theenvironment and consumers’ health is the mainobjective of the National Eco-labelling Programmeunder which the Environmentally Friendly Productand the Environmentally Friendly Service eco-labels are awarded.

The National Eco-labelling Programme isadministered by the Ministry of the Environment,which is responsible for implementing the EUEco-labelling Programme in the Czech Republic.

THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC© 2008, CENIA, the Czech Environmental Information Agency

Translation: Lucie KráglováGraphic design: Daniela ŘehákováPrint: Studio Press s.r.o.Contact:CENIA, the Czech Environmental Information Agency Litevská 8, 100 05 Praha 10www.cenia.cz, info@cenia.cz, tel: +420 267 225 340

This publication was made with the financial assistanceof the State Environmental Fund of the Czech Republic.

Printed on chlorine-free paper.

6 Ministry of the EnvironmentVršovická 65 100 10 Praha 10tel.: +420 267 122 784e-mail: ekoznacka@mzp.czhttp://www.mzp.cz

6 The National Eco-labelling Programme (administered byCENIA) – http://www.ekoznacka.cz

6 The EU Eco-Labelling Programme– http://www.europa.eu.int/ecolabel

6 Non-government non-profit network associating eco-labellingprogrammes from all over the world– http://www.globalecolabelling.net

6 The EU Eco-labelling Programme, tourist accommodationservices – http://www.ecolabel-tourism.eu

6 Sustainable consumption issues in offices– http://www.zeleneuradovani.cz

6 CENIA, the Czech Environmental Information AgencyCzech Eco-labelling Agency Litevská 1174/8100 05 Praha 10tel.: +420 267 225 289e-mail: ekoznacka@cenia.czhttp://www.cenia.cz

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SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTIONSustainable consumption or consumption respecting the environment and societyis supported at several levels in the Czech Republic. The use of services andproducts that minimise the use of natural resources, waste production and toxicsubstances throughout their entire life cycles occurs systematically andproactively. Principles and objectives are described in the manual entitled“Sustainable Consumption and Production Programme Framework of the CzechRepublic” that is based on the “Sustainable Development Strategy of the CzechRepublic” and other policies.

THE 1994–2008 NATIONAL ECO-LABELLING PROGRAMME ANDTHE 2004-2008 EU ECO-LABELLING PROGRAMME IN THECZECH REPUBLIC The national programme was announced at the initiative of the Minister of theEnvironment and the Minister of Economy on 14 April 1994, and in 2007,Types II and III eco-labelling were added (i.e. labelling pursuant to ISO 14 021and ISO 14 025). These types of eco-labelling make it possible for manufactures,organisations and any other entities to issue their own environmental claims(Type III) about their products or LCA claims for these products (Type III). Pursuant to the international ISO 14 024 standard, the competent authority forawarding the Czech eco-label is the Czech Eco-labelling Agency (hereinafter theAgency); eco-labelling is guaranteed by the Ministry of the Environment. TheAgency is part of CENIA, the Czech Environmental Information Agency, and it alsofocuses on Types II and III eco-labelling. Effective 1 May 2004, the Agency is alsoentitled to award the EU eco-label – The Flower.

6 The Czech eco-label

GREEN PUBLIC PROCUREMENTSustainable consumption support is aimed not only at small consumers, but alsostate and public administration bodies. To facilitate the orientation andimplementation of Green Public Procurement, Resolution of the Czech GovernmentNo. 720/2000 was issued. It recommends that public administration bodies givepreference to environmentally friendly products. Another supporting document isPublic Procurement Act No. 137/2006 Sb.

SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION Sustainable consumption and production go hand in hand. The supply and demandcircle closes and a functioning supplier-consumer chain is formed. Sustainableproduction is covered in another leaflet published by CENIA. Instruments specifiedin these materials are also included in the proposal of measures published by theEuropean Commission in July 2008. Its aim is to promote the environmentallyfriendly nature of products and demand for such products and technologies, whilesupporting industry. This “package” is also connected to environmental protectionpolicy instruments that already exist and function in the Czech Republic and ispart of the EU sustainable development strategy.

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As of August 2008, 90 companies and 59 product categories (4 of which arededicated to services) engaged in the ISO 14 024 programme, and 200 licences(approximately 450 products) were awarded with the label. The eco-label is usuallyused with common consumer goods (e.g. detergents, paints, office supplies) andselected services.

6 The development of the National Eco-Labelling Programmeof the Czech Republic, 1994–2007Source: CENIA

6 A comparison of awarded licences to use the EU eco-label– The Flower, October 2008Source: CENIA; The EU Eco-label Helpdesk

Both eco-labelling programmes have been successful in the Czech Republic. Thenumbers of labelled products and companies that apply for the eco-label havebeen increasing. The Czech Republic has awarded the most licences granting theuse of the EU eco-label – The Flower – of all new EU member states. In August2008, 12 Czech companies were using the eco-label. Nine of them are operatorsof accommodation facilities, in particular hotels and B&Bs.

6 The EU eco-label

1 OASA camp ground, Staňkov u Třeboně2 The Adalbert Hotel, the Břevnov Monastery, Prague3 The Zátoň Sporthotel, Zátoňské dvory u Českého Krumlova4 Ma Maison Residence, Belgická, Prague5 Penzion Jelení, Vranov nad Dyjí6 The “Veronica” environmental education centre, Hostětín7 Chateau Mcely, Mcely8 The Irida Hotel, Plzeň9 The Adria Hotel, Prague10 The Penzion Jana Hotel, Děčín

6 Accommodation facilities in the Czech Republic awarded with eitherthe EU or Czech eco-label, 2004–2008Source: CENIA

The Environmentally Friendly Product and the Flower labels are not designated forfood and drinks.