NATIONAL FRAMEWORK ON ECO LABELLING IN SRI LANKA

ENVIRONMENT PLANNING AND ECONOMICS DIVISION

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT
CONTENT

Page
Number
1.0 Introduction 01
2.0 Objectives of the Framework 01
3.0 Implementation mechanism of the Framework 01
4.0 Institutional Structure of the Framework 03
5.0 Awareness creation and capacity building 04
6.0 Promotion of the Framework 05
7.0 National Eco Labelling Programme 05

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ABBREVIATIONS

CAA Consumer Affairs Authority

CCC Ceylon Chamber of Commerce
CEA Central Environment Authority
EDB Export Development Board
IDB Industry Development Board
ISB Industry Service Bureau
ISO International Organization for Standards
LCA Life Cycle Analysis
MoE Ministry in charge of the subject of Environment
MoTc Ministry in charge of the subjects of Technology
MoI Ministry in charge of the subject of Industry
MoT Ministry in charge of the subject of Trade
NGOs Non-Governmental Organizations
NIPO National Intellectual Property Office
SLAB Sri Lanka Accreditation Board
SLSEA Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority
SLSI Sri Lanka Standard Institution
SCP Sustainable Consumption and Production

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 NATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR ECO LABELLING IN SRI LANKA

1.0 Introduction
Eco Labelling schemes contribute globally to transform consumption and production patterns
into sustainable. It supports delinking economic growth and environmental degradation which
is the ultimate intention of Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP).
Eco label is a type of environmental labels and one of the tools used widely in promoting
ecofriendly products conveying the message to producers and consumers regarding the overall
environmental performance of products and services based on life cycle considerations. Eco
Labels are advantageous in variety of ways such as providing consumers with more information
about the environmental effects of their consumption, encouraging producers, governments and
other agents to increase the environmental standards of products/services.
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has created standards for labelling
practices in ISO 14000 series. Three standards are providing the guidance for three types of
Eco Labels namely ISO 14024 (Type I), ISO 14021 (Type II) and ISO 14025 (Type III).
The use of Eco Labels in Sri Lanka is not much popular among the local consumers. Available
environmental labels and international eco labels are not considerably impact on local
consumption and production patterns in comparison to the international trade.
The Ministry of Environment (MoE) has initiated to develop an Eco Labelling Framework in
collaboration with the main stakeholders including Sri Lanka Accreditation Board (SLAB), Sri
Lanka Standard Institution (SLSI) and then Ministry of Science, Research and Technology.
2.0 Objectives of the Framework

a. To provide comprehensive government support to the Eco Labelling schemes

encouraging manufactures to green production and consumers towards responsible
consumption pattern.
b. To promote a credible internationally accepted environmental certification and Eco
Labelling system and standards in Sri Lanka, encouraging and facilitating green
producers to improve environmental product standards.
c. To minimize green washing of the products and services ensuring the production of
substantial eco products and services.

3.0 Implementation mechanism of the Framework

Initial stage:
All locally developed (accredited and non- accredited) products and process based
environmental claims; international schemes operating locally and schemes under development
will be collected with related information and analyzed by the Multi Stakeholder Technical
Committee (MSTC) in collaboration with the Implementing Agency (IA-MoE). The scope of
the national certification schemes and the boundaries of the categories will be determined
through the analysis. A definition for the local Eco Labeling schemes will be developed in
consistent with the definitions of international environmental claims. Definition will be
developed by the MSTC and approved by the National Steering Committee (NSC).

1
 Implementation stage:
Criteria setting for
1
Categorization of labels and Multi Stakeholder Technical
certification schemes Committee (MSTC)

2
Develop a mechanism for
Recognition MSTC

Applications Evaluation of the Eco 3

CBs/SOs Labelling and certification
Evaluation and Monitoring
schemes and categorization Committee (EMC)

4
MSTC
Appealing Recommendation EMC

Implementing Agency (IA-MoE)

5

Reject/cancellation Grant the recognition NSC/ IA-MoE

IA-MoE 6

Reporting and Registration Promotion

Feedback (Directory for Eco labeled of schemes
products)

7
Surveillance and Monitoring of EMC
schemes

1. Criteria setting for categorization of labeling and certifications schemes

(Framework Criteria): Criteria will be developed to recognize existing and emerging
environmental labelling schemes categorizing them into categories. Criteria will be
developed by the MSTC, approved by the NSC and amended/upgraded periodically.
Minimization of green washing will be ensured by the criteria.
2. Develop a procedure for Framework recognition: A mechanism will be developed to
recognize the qualified schemes by MSTC.
3. Evaluation of the Eco Labelling and Certification schemes and categorization:
Based on the above criteria and mechanism for recognition, existing and emerging
schemes will be evaluated and categorized. Accredited and non-accredited Certification
Bodies (CBs) / Scheme owners (SOs) have to apply for the recognition with necessary
information requested by the Framework. Applications of CBs / SOs will be received by
the IA-MoE and evaluated by the Evaluation and Monitoring Committee (EMC).
4. Recommendation: EMC will recommend the qualified schemes and the relevant
category to the IA-MoE.

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 5. Grant the recognition: IA-MoE will grant the recognition for the qualified schemes or
reject based on the recommendation of the EMC. If rejects, CBs/SOs can appeal to MSTC
for the recognition.
6. Registration: Recognized schemes will be registered by the IA-MoE under the
Framework. The registered schemes will be promoted through the Directory for eco
labelled products, websites and through various channels.
7. Surveillance and Monitoring of schemes: Recognized schemes will be monitored by
the EMC annually. EMC will produce reports to the IA-MoE with the recommendations
and feedback. In case of violation of the requirements by any CB/SO, the EMC will
produce their recommendations to the IA-MoE to cancel the recognition.

4.0 Institutional Structure of the Framework

Strategic/Institutional

National Steering Implementing Applicants

Committee (NSC) Agency (IA-MOE)
level

(CBs/SOs)

Multi-stakeholder
Technical
Operational/Procedural

Committee
(MSTC)
level

Evaluation and
Monitoring Committee
(EMC)

Institutional Structure
1. National Steering Committee (NSC):
NSC is the governing body that consists of senior officials from relevant Ministries (MoTc,
MoT, MoI) and institutions.
Role and Functions:
1. Serve as the main governing body for any endeavors or initiatives undertaken.
2. Establish MSTC and the EMC.
3. Select the expertise to any committee or activities of the framework.
4. Overview, steer and monitor the whole process of the Framework.
5. Strengthen the institutions for standardization, testing and accreditation, etc.
6. Facilitate IA-MOE in promoting the schemes and Framework.
7. Resolve any issues of MSTC and EMC in any stage (Initial/implementation) of the
Framework
8. Provide guidance for IA-MOE /MSTC for information sharing, capacity building and
awareness creation.
9. Provide the support, guidance and oversight of progress.

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 a. Implementing Agency (IA-MoE): MoE will be the Implementing Agency of the
Framework and lead the implementation in collaboration with the NSC. It will mainly
be responsible for developing and updating criteria of the Framework, registering
qualified schemes in the Directory for eco labelled products, promotion of the
schemes and Framework, sharing information, capacity building, awareness creation,
providing feedback and make recommendations to the NSC to upgrade the
Framework when necessary. The Environment Planning and Economics Division will
act as the secretariat to the Framework.
b. Regulatory Agencies: The existing regulatory institutions such as Consumer Affairs
Authority (CAA), Central Environment Authority (CEA), Sri Lanka Sustainable
Energy Authority (SLSEA), Export Development Board (EDB), National Intellectual
Property Office (NIPO), Sri Lanka Customs, etc will be vested with the regulatory
power to hinder the green washing. Also it will strengthen the standardization, make
necessary amendments in the regulatory tools in place such as regulations and Acts
related to standardization.
c. Eco Label Experts Forum: This is a voluntary group of experts, individuals and
representatives from the private sector, public sector, Non-Government
Organizations (NGOs), Academia, etc representing the fields such as of standards,
certification, LCA, ISO, testing, auditing, retailer and consumer organizations. They
will meet periodically to discuss the technical matters, positive and negative impacts
of the Framework on the respective sectors, create awareness, share experience, make
relevant recommendations and suggestions, and support promotion.
2. Multi-stakeholder Technical Committee (MSTC):
Composition: The committee will comprise the mandatory stakeholders including SLSI,
SLAB, representatives of NSC, NGOs, academia and field specific stakeholders from public
sector, regulatory institutions (CEA, CAA, EDB, SLSEA, NIPO, Sri Lanka Customs, etc),
industry consultation organizations (Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), Industry
Development Board (IDB), Industry Service Bureau (ISB) etc) and private sector
representatives based on the product categories and services.
The MSTC will be established and monitored by the NSC. It will function as the
Technical/working group of the Framework.
Role and Functions:
1. Stock taking of the existing environmental claims and set the criteria for
categorization.
2. Develop a local definition for the national eco labelling schemes.
3. Develop criteria and procedures for scheme recognition and appealing.
4. Evaluate the applications of appealed CBs/SOs.
5. Make suggestions and provide feedback to the NSC to upgrade the framework.
6. Recommend the legal and regulatory amendments for the Regulatory Agencies
through the NSC.
7. Make decisions on the recommendations made by EMC when necessary (ex: when the
qualifications of the schemes are not clear).
8. Make suggestions to amend the Framework criteria periodically.

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3. Evaluation and Monitoring Committee (EMC):
Composition: It will be a sub group of impartial experts in MSTC and other qualified experts
in the fields. When necessary, temporary participants will be assigned based on the fields to be
evaluated.
Role and Functions:
1. Evaluate the applications received from CBs/SOs.
2. Make recommendations to the IA-MoE for categorization and recognition of schemes.
3. Make recommendations for cancellation of schemes which would breach the
guidelines.
4. Appoint an Inspection Team when necessary and monitor the registered schemes
annually.
5. Report the evaluation to the IA-MoE with feedback and recommendations.
6. Make recommendations to NSC to upgrade Framework and criteria.

The Inspection Team may not be a permanent group and selected impartially case by case by
the EMC based on the experience and expertise. Trained, qualified experienced and
independent auditors (especially on ISO standards) will be the members of the team.
Monitoring of registered schemes annually, producing the reports and recommendations to the
EMC on the performances will be the main roles of the team.

5.0 Awareness creation and capacity building: Awareness creation and capacity
building is vital in the implementation of the Framework. It could be done in institutional level
and Framework level. A mechanism to capacity building and awareness creation will be
developed by the IA-MoE with the approval of the NSC. It is needed to create and raise
awareness about eco-labeled products through various channels such as social media,
newspaper, TV, public procurement, Eco product exhibitions, trade fairs and awards etc.

6.0 Promotion of the Framework: Promotion of the Eco labelling schemes and
Framework is essential as the Eco Labels are voluntary initiative and need awareness of
producers and customers to keep attracting. There should be a mechanism and plan to promote
the Framework and registered schemes. The public and private sector partnership will be
beneficial for the promotion. The NSC, Regulatory Agencies and IA-MoE will involve in
Framework promotions.

7.0 National Eco Labelling Programme: A National Eco Labelling scheme will be
established based on the minimum Framework criteria considering the gaps and needs
identified during the implementation.