| 1 | Objective |
| This procedure defines the requirements/process to determine eligibility of environmental labeling certification scheme in accordance with ISO 14020 and ISO 14024. |
| Note 1: After the environmental labeling certification scheme is deemed eligible, it is considered for use under the ANAB accreditation process to accredit certification bodies to certify Type I environmental labeling certification scheme. |
| Note 2: In this procedure the term “Product’ can be read as “Process” or “Service”. |
| Note 3: In this procedure the term “Scheme” can also be read as “Program”. |
| 2 | Definitions |
| 2.1 | Environmental Label and Environmental Declaration
|
| Claim which indicates the environmental aspects of a product or service (ISO 14020 clause 2.1). |
| Note: Environmental labels and declarations provide information about a product or service in terms of its overall environmental character, a specific environmental aspect, or any number of aspects. (ISO 14020, Introduction). |
| 2.2 | Type I environmental labeling program |
| Voluntary, multiple-criteria-based third party program that awards a license, which authorizes the use of environmental labels on products indicating overall environmental preferability of a product within a particular product category based on life cycle considerations. (ISO 14024, clause 3.1). |
| 2.3 | Environmental labeling body |
| Third party body, and its agents, which conducts a Type I environmental labeling program. (ISO 14024, clause 3.6). |
| 2.4 | Environmental labeling scheme owner |
| An Environmental labeling scheme owner is a legal entity, which has established a conformity assessment scheme and which can take responsibility for the conformity assessment scheme design. The following are examples of Environmental labeling scheme owners: |
| a) | Standardization bodies |
| b) | Conformity assessment bodies (CAB) |
| c) | Government authorities |
| d) | Organizations that use services provided by a CAB |
| e) | Manufacturers and their association(s) that have established their own conformity assessment activity.
|
| 2.5 | Certification system |
| Rules, procedures, and management for carrying out certification. (ISO/IEC 17000, clause 2.7). |
| 2.6 | Certification scheme |
| Certification system related to specified products, to which the same specified requirements, specific rules and procedures apply.
|
| NOTE: The criteria for the rules, procedures and management for implementing product, process and service certification are stipulated by the certification scheme.
(ISO/IEC 17065, clause 3.9). |
| 2.7 | Conformity assessment scheme |
| The same rules, procedures and management for carrying out the conformity assessment program related to Type 1 environmental ecolabeling activities. |
| 2.8 | Administrator |
| Organization contracted by an Environmental labeling scheme owner to manage the development and maintenance of the scheme. |
| 2.9 | Product environmental criteria |
| Environmental requirements that the product shall meet in order to be awarded an environmental label (ISO 14024, clause 3.4). |
| 2.10 | Product category |
| Group of products which have equivalent function (ISO 14024, clause 3.3). |
| 2.11 | Interested party |
| Any party affected by a Type I environmental labeling program (ISO 14024, clause 3.8). |
| 2.12 | Licensee |
| Party authorized by an Environmental labeling body to use a Type I environmental label (ISO 14024, clause 3.9). |
| 2.13 | Normative Documents |
| Document that provides rules, guidelines or characteristics for activities or their results (ISO/IEC Guide 2: 2004, clause 3.1)
Note 1: The term "normative document" is a generic term that covers such documents as standards, technical
specifications, codes of practice and regulations.
Note 2: A document is to be understood as any medium with information recorded on or in it.
Note 3: The terms for different kinds of normative documents are defined considering the document and its
content as a single entity
|
| 2.14 | Eligibility |
| The environmental labeling scheme owner is eligible to make a statement that it has been evaluated by ANAB and its scheme, a Type I environmental labeling program, follows the principles of ISO 14020 and the process of ISO 14024 and related standards. |
| 3 | Scope of ANAB Program to Determine Eligibility of a Type I Environmental Labeling Certification Scheme |
| To determine conformance to international standards, ANAB has developed procedures to (1) Determine Eligibility of a Type I Environmental Labeling Certification Scheme and to (2) Accredit certification bodies to certify a Type I environmental labeling certification scheme. These two steps have been divided into two programs at ANAB. In the first step, an environmental labeling certification scheme owner applies to ANAB to determine if the methods used to develop and operate its scheme, the Type I environmental labelling program, conforms to the requirements outlined in Chapter 5 of this document.
The second step of the process, certification bodies that certify a Type I environmental labeling certification scheme are assessed for conformance to ISO 14024 and ISO/IEC 17065. This procedure, PRO-PR-164, describes the ANAB requirements and procedures for the first step, Determine Eligibility of a Type I Environmental Labeling Certification Scheme. For the requirements and procedures for the second step, Accreditation of Certification Bodies, see PRO-PR-102.
A conformity assessment scheme related to Type 1 environmental ecolabeling is a documented and publicly available system, which establishes the following:
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| a) | The object(s) of conformity assessment as related to product certification, i.e., product or services; |
| b) | The requirements (environmental preference of a product relating to a product category) against which
conformity is to be assessed;
|
| c) | The mechanism(s) by which conformity is determined, i.e., through design review, testing, inspection,
audit, examination; and
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| d) | Any specific applications or interpretations of ISO/IEC 17065, if applicable. Standard elements of a
conformity assessment evaluation of a Type I Environmental labeling certification scheme are:
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| 1) | Selection of the object(s) of conformity assessment, including choosing specific requirements to be
assessed as well as planning information collection and sampling activities;
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| 2) | Determination, including the use of one or more determination methods (e.g., test, inspection, audit
and/or examination) to develop complete information regarding fulfillment of the specific requirements by the object of conformity assessment or its sample (including of an Environmental labeling scheme);
|
| 3) | Review and attestation, including the review of evidence from the determination stage, and a
subsequent attestation that the object of conformity assessment has been reliably demonstrated to fulfill the specific requirements, and any subsequent marking or licensing and their related controls, where applicable; and
|
| 4) | Surveillance, systematic iteration of conformity assessment activities as a basis for maintaining the
validity of the statement of conformity (ISO/IEC 17000).
|
| 4 | Objectives of Type I Environmental Labeling |
| The overall goal of environmental labels and declarations is, through communication of verifiable and accurate information that is not misleading, on environmental aspects of products and services, to encourage the demand for and supply of those products and services that cause less stress on the environment, thereby stimulating the potential for market-driven continuous environmental improvement. |
| The objective of a Type I environmental labeling certification scheme is to contribute to a reduction in the environmental impacts associated with products, through the identification of products that meet a specific Type I program's criteria for overall environmental preferability. (ISO 14024, clause 4)
|
| 5 | Requirements to Determine the Eligibility of a Type I Environmental Labeling Certification Scheme |
| 5.1 | Requirements |
| 5.1.1 | Competence of the Environmental Labeling Scheme Owner |
| Environmental labeling scheme owners shall demonstrate personnel competence of the knowledge of scheme requirements involved in the development and administration of a Type I environmental labeling certification scheme, and provide objective evidence thereof. This competence is described in sections related to personnel in the following standards: |
| a) | ISO 14024 |
| b) | ISO/IEC 17065 clause 6.1
|
| 5.1.2 | Requirements to evaluate the Environmental labeling scheme owner's methodology to develop a Type I environmental labeling certification scheme. |
| 5.1.2.1 | The following standards and/or guides shall be used by ANAB to evaluate the eligibility of a Type I environmental labeling certification scheme regarding the method used to develop the scheme: |
| a) | ISO 14020 |
| b) | ISO 14024 |
| c) | FTC 16 CFR Part 260: Green Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims |
| d) | The following clauses of ISO/IEC 17065 are evaluated by ANAB:
|
| 1) | clause 7.1.2 |
| 2) | clause 7.1.3 |
| 3) | clause 7.13 |
| 4) | clause 8.3 |
| 5) | clause 8.4 |
| 6) | clause 8.5 |
| 7) | clause 8.6 |
| 8) | clause 8.7 |
| 9) | clause 8.8 |
| 5.1.2.2 | The environmental labeling scheme owner shall inform ANAB on the use of other regional or national standards. These must be included as part of the Eligibility evaluation. Such national and regional standards can not contradict the principles of ISO 14020, and the processes and procedures of ISO 14024. |
| 5.1.3 | Documentation required to evaluate the environmental labeling scheme owner's methodology to develop and operate a Type I environmental labeling scheme. |
| 5.1.3.1 | The Environmental labeling scheme owner submits the following documents and information as applicable to ANAB when completing the application for participation in the Eligibility program (PRO-FR-104- ECO - ISO 14024): |
| a) | Copy of environmental labeling certificate scheme that defines the scope, scheme principles, procedures, conformity assessment process, and all other activities related to the certification process (ISO 14024, clauses 5, 6 and 7). |
| b) | To prove that the principles of ISO 14024 have been met, the environmental labeling scheme owner provides documented evidence that: |
| 1) | Scheme is voluntary (ISO 14025, clause 5.1)
|
| 2) | Scheme follows ISO 14020 (ISO 14025, clause 5.2) |
| 3) | Environmental claims comply with current legislation (e.g., Federal Trade Commission Green Marketing Guidelines) (ISO 14024, clause 5.3) |
| 4) | Justification of the life cycle stages included in developing the product environmental criteria (ISO 14024, clause 5.4) |
| 5) | Method used to determine if an environmental criteria provides a measurable difference between environmentally preferable products and others in the same product category (ISO 14024, clause 5.5), including information on: |
| i. | Statistical significance |
| ii. | Precision and accuracy of testing and verification methodologies |
| iii. | Whether all products that meet the criteria are eligible to use the label |
| 6) | Product environmental criteria (ISO 14024, clause 5.6), are based on: |
| i. | Indicators arising from life cycle considerations |
| ii. | Are set at attainable levels and consider relative environmental impacts, measurement capability, and accuracy. |
| 7) | Product environmental criteria are based on the fitness of purpose of the product (product satisfies health, safety, and consumer performance needs) and levels of performance (ISO 14024, clause 5.7) |
| 8) | Product environmental criteria and product function requirements for each product category are set for and reviewed in a predefined period (ISO 14024, clause 5.8) |
| 9) | Formal, open process for participation of interested parties in the selection and review of product categories, product environmental criteria, and product function characteristics (ISO 14024, Clause 5.9), including: |
| i. | Date of process drafting and implementation
|
| ii. | Evidence of identification and analysis of the interested parties |
| iii. | Evidence that relevant parties were consulted |
| 10) | All elements in the product environmental criteria and product function characteristics are verifiable by the certification body (ISO 14024, clause 5.10), including: |
| i. | List of verification methods (see ISO 14024, clause 5.10 for examples) |
| ii. | Methods of assessing compliance |
| 11) | Information made available to interested parties for inspection and comment and time allowed for comments to be submitted (ISO 14024, clause 5.11) |
| 12) | Procedures and requirements for environmental labeling program shall not be prepared, adopted or applied with a view to create unnecessary obstacles in national or international trade (ISO 14024, clause 5.12). |
| 13) | Participation in a Type I environmental labeling program shall be made available and open to
all potential applicants (ISO 14024, clause 5.13).
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| 14) | How development and selection of the criteria is based on sound scientific and engineering principles (ISO 14024, clause 5.14).
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| 15) | How the environmental labeling scheme owner and staff ensure they are free from undue influence, including providing a list of funding sources and how the sources of funding do not create a conflict of interest (ISO 14024, clause 5.15). |
| 16) | How confidentiality of all information identified as confidential is maintained (ISO 14024, clause 5.17). |
| 17) | Information on mutual recognition agreements with other environmental labeling certification schemes. (ISO 14024, clause 5.18). |
| c) | To prove that the procedures required for the selection and development of product environmental criteria outlined in ISO 14024 Clause 6 have been met, the environmental labeling scheme owner must provide documented evidence that: |
| 1) | Formal consultation mechanism that facilitates full participation of interested parties (ISO 14024, clause 6.2), including: |
| i. | Evidence of involvement of interested parties in the selection of product categories and in the establishment of product environmental criteria and product function characteristics. |
| ii. | Evidence that interested parties were given adequate time, access to details, and sources of information used. |
| iii. | Evidence that interested parties who commented on the program received proper consideration of and response to their comments. |
| 2) | Selection of product environmental criteria shall not lead to the transfer of impacts from one stage of the life cycle to another or from one medium to another without a net gain of environmental benefit. (ISO 14024, clause 5.4). |
| 3) | No product environmental criteria that directly or indirectly require or exclude the use of particular processes or production methods without justification were included in the scheme (ISO 14024, clause 6.4.2.1) |
| 4) | Identification of the product life cycle stages where there is differentiation of environmental impacts among the products within the category, including the ranges and variability of the data obtained for specific products (ISO 14024, clause 6.4.2.2) |
| 5) | Reasons for applying any weighting factors to the selected environmental requirements are clearly explained and justified (ISO 14024, clause 6.4.2.3). |
| 6) | Selected criteria have numerical values assigned to them in the form of minimum values, threshold levels not to be exceeded, scale point system, or other relevant approaches. (ISO 14024, clause 6.4.2.4). |
| 7) | Selected criteria represent the product function in terms of its performance, rather than design or descriptive characteristics. (ISO 14024, clause 6.5) |
| 8) | Published a report on product environmental criteria and product function characteristics (ISO 14024, clause 6.6), which includes information on: |
| i. | Establishment of the category, criteria and characteristics conforms with the scope, principles, practices, and requirements set out in this International Standard. |
| ii. | Criteria are objective and justifiable |
| iii. | Methods to verify the product environmental criteria and product function characteristics |
| iv. | Interested parties were given the opportunity to participate in the process and their views were taken into consideration |
| d) | To prove that the requirements for the certification and compliance procedures in ISO 14024 clause 7 have been met, the environmental labeling scheme owner shall provide documented evidence that: |
| 1) | General rules that guide the operation of the environmental labeling scheme (ISO 14024 clause 7.2.2), including: |
| i. | All prerequisites for the awarding of the license |
| ii. | Use of the label |
| iii. | Product environmental criteria and product function characteristics, that set out the technical requirement elements of the environmental labeling scheme for each product category (ISO 14024, clause 7.2.3) |
| 2) | Procedures that document that license to use the Type I environmental label is only awarded when (ISO 14024, clause 7.3): |
| i. | the applicant is in compliance with the general rules of the programme
|
| ii. | the product is in compliance with the product environmental criteria and product function characteristics applicable to its product category |
| 3) | Publicly available list of products which have been awarded the label (ISO 14024, clause 7.3) |
| 4) | Methodology for assessing whether a product complies with the product environmental criteria and product
function characteristics, and of verifying on-going compliance, with sufficient rigor to maintain confidence in the programme (ISO 14024, clause 7.4.1)
|
| 5) | Procedures on the appropriate form of verification, and a plan for supervision and control (ISO 14024, clause 7.4.2) |
| 6) | Requirement that applicant make a commitment to comply with environmental and other relevant legislation (ISO 14024, clause 7.4.3) |
| 7) | Documentation of the environmental labeling scheme, including (ISO 14024, clause 7.4.3): |
| i. | product categories |
| ii. | product environmental criteria |
| iii. | product function characteristics |
| iv. | period of validity of criteria |
| v. | testing and verification methods |
| vi. | certification and award procedures |
| vii. | periodic review criteria |
| viii. | nonconfidential evidence on which the awarding of the label is based |
| ix. | funding sources for the programme development (e.g., fees, government financial support, etc.) |
| x. | compliance verification |
| xi. | documentation of the environmental labeling scheme is made available, on request |
| 8) | Procedures on how the environmental labeling scheme shall ensure that any change in the product or its manufacturing process likely to affect compliance is considered and shall require the licensee to initiate corrective action if compliance is not maintained (ISO 14024, clause 7.5) |
| 9) | Evidence that the environmental labeling scheme's label is legally protected (ISO 14024, clause 7.6) |
| 10) | Clear and explicit policy regarding the proper use of the label and procedures stating that deviation from this policy shall result in appropriate corrective action and possible withdrawal of the license (ISO 14024, clause 7.6). |
| e) | The environmental labeling scheme owner must provide documented evidence on how its scheme meets the requirements in the FTC 16 CFR Part 260: Green Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims |
| f) | The environmental labeling scheme owner must provide its procedures on complaints and appeals, control of documents and records, management review, internal audits, corrective actions, and preventive actions. |
| 6 | Process to Determine the Eligibility of a Type I Environmental Labeling Certification Scheme |
| 6.1 | The Environmental labeling scheme owner shall submit the following information: |
| 6.1.1 | Application
|
| 6.1.1.1 | The application form (PRO-FR-104: ECO-ISO 14024) for eligibility of a Type I environmental labeling certification scheme shall be signed by an authorized representative and shall be submitted along with a cover letter and a non-refundable application fee to ANAB. |
| 6.1.1.2 | Upon receipt of a new application, ANAB staff shall inform the ANAB Accreditation Committee Chair and the ACC Eco-Labeling Subcommittee members of this event and request volunteers. Two volunteers from the Eco-Labeling Subcommittee shall follow the processing of the application by ANAB staff /evaluation team and assist ANAB as necessary, in processing and acting on the application.
|
| 6.1.1.3 | ANAB staff shall evaluate the application for completeness, using ANAB requirements as defined in this procedure (e.g., ISO 14024). Additional information and/or clarification may be requested from the applicant. |
| 6.1.1.4 | The acceptance of the application for eligibility of a Type I Environmental labeling scheme is announced on ANAB's webpage. A 30-day comment period is established for comment on the application. The announcement also contains instructions for submitting comments to ANAB. |
| 6.1.1.5 | ANAB shall acknowledge receipt of all comments received and provide the applicant with a copy. Where appropriate, ANAB or the applicant must respond to comments by interested parties. |
| 6.1.1.6 | The name of the applicant environmental labeling scheme owner is added to ANAB's published list of Environmental labeling Scheme applicants for the "Eligibility of Environmental labeling Schemes" on the ANAB website.
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| 6.1.1.7 | If, after the initial application evaluation, it is judged that the applicant has not meet the eligibility criteria, ANAB shall: |
| a) | notify the applicant and identify the deficiency(ies) in the application; take down the notification on ANAB's webpage; |
| b) | advise the applicant that if the deficiency(ies) is/are corrected, and a revised application is submitted to ANAB within 90 days, ANAB's review of the documentation shall resume and payment of an additional fee may be required; Re-post the notice on ANAB's webpage;
|
| c) | advise the applicant that if the deficiency(ies) is not corrected and/or a revised application is not submitted to ANAB within 90 days, the application shall be considered to be withdrawn. A new application may be submitted at any time; and |
| d) | notify the Committee of the final action by ANAB. |
| 6.1.2 | Review, Evaluation for Eligibility of a Type I Environmental Labeling Certification Scheme |
| 6.1.2.1 | After approval of the application, ANAB staff reviews the supporting documents provided by the Environmental labeling scheme owner. An evaluation team led by a member of ANAB staff or a contracted individual shall conduct the review. The Evaluation team shall be selected on the basis of competence and absence of potential conflict of interest. |
| 6.1.2.2 | The applicant is notified of the names of the proposed members of the evaluation team including any technical expert(s), if needed, and the organization to which they belong. The applicant has 10 days to provide any written objections to any team member(s) and/or expert(s). If the applicant raises objections to any proposed team members, ANAB must provide the names of alternative team members. |
| 6.1.2.3 | The evaluation team, including technical experts(s), shall have no ties with the applicant that may influence the eligibility process. Team members are required to maintain the confidentiality of all information obtained about the applicant and its operations. The evaluation team shall have appropriate knowledge of the specific Type I environmental labeling certification scheme for which eligibility is sought. |
| 6.1.2.4 | The eligibility of the Type I environmental labeling certification scheme takes the form of an evaluation and therefore involves a document review, with the option of visiting the Environmental labeling scheme owner's headquarters. This visit may be useful for a discussion of the results and potential problems. The results of the document review are documented (PRO-TP-105: ISO 14024 Eligibility Report Document Review) and submitted to the Scheme Owner. The evaluation team must present the outcome of the document review and have a teleconference to review the observations. |
| 6.1.2.5 | ANAB shall clearly define the assignment given to the evaluation team. The evaluation team shall submit an evaluation plan (PRO-PR-103: Annex C) to the Scheme Owner detailing the evaluation activities to be covered during the remote eligibility review. During the remote evaluation, the evaluation team shall conduct a review and evaluate the Environmental labeling certification scheme submission and determine whether a Type I environmental labeling certification scheme is eligible for the ANAB accreditation process to for Environmental labeling certification body applicant. ANAB shall ensure that the evaluation team is provided with the appropriate criteria, relevant documents, and records of the certification scheme. |
| 6.1.2.6 | ANAB shall communicate with the Environmental labeling scheme owner to provide feedback and provide an opportunity to the Environmental labeling scheme owner to revise Type I environmental labeling certification scheme documents so that they are in line with ANAB eligibility requirements. |
| 6.1.2.7 | The ANAB evaluation team shall analyze all relevant information and evidence gathered during the document and records review. This analysis shall be sufficient to allow the ANAB evaluation team to determine the extent of fulfillment of eligibility requirements defined in this procedure. If necessary or appropriate, formal nonconformity reports (NCRs) are issued for identified deficiencies that require corrective action by the applicant. All corrective action plans shall be submitted within 30 days after the posting of the nonconformity on the ANAB webpage. |
| 6.1.2.8 | An eligibility evaluation report (PRO-TP-108: ISO 14024 Eligibility Report) covering all evaluation activities is prepared by the evaluation team and submitted to ANAB. The report includes evaluation details, NCRs issued and concerns identified. |
| 6.1.2.9 | The Environmental labeling scheme owner shall be invited to comment on the eligibility evaluation report. ANAB staff and the evaluation team shall consider any comments submitted and finalize the report, as appropriate. |
| 6.1.2.10 | The information provided to the ACC Eco-Labeling Subcommittee and also made available to ANAB Accreditation Committee members shall include at a minimum: |
| a) | Unique identification of the Type I environmental labeling certification scheme; |
| b) | Date(s) of the review; |
| c) | Name(s) of the team members involved in the evaluation; |
| d) | Proposed scheme scope; |
| e) | Eligibility evaluation report; |
| f) | Statement on the adequacy of the internal organization and procedures adopted by the environmental labeling scheme owner to give confidence in its competence, as determined through its fulfillment of the requirements for eligibility; |
| g) | Information on the resolution of all nonconformities;
|
| 6.1.3 | Decision on Eligibility |
| 6.1.3.1 | The Eco-Labeling Subcommittee reviews the eligibility evaluation report (see 6.1.2.10 e) and determines if the evaluation is complete and a Type I environmental labeling certification scheme complies with the procedural requirements contained in this document and any other sector specific requirements, if applicable. If the subcommittee desires that the eligibility evaluation report be clarified and/or additional evaluation tasks be performed, ANAB staff shall respond accordingly and submit a revised report to the
Eco-Labeling Subcommittee. A copy of the revised report is sent to the applicant Environmental labeling scheme owner for technical review and comment. If, based on the revised report, the subcommittee determines any requirement has not been fulfilled, ANAB staff shall offer the applicant in writing to either terminate the application process or to send a recommendation to deny eligibility.
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| 6.1.3.2 | ANAB staff prepares a recommendation based on the Eco-Labeling Subcommittee on conclusion for the eligibility decision by the ANAB Accreditation Committee. The recommendation is presented to the ANAB Accreditation Committee for a vote on the eligibility of the scheme in accordance with Committee Operating Procedures (PRO-PL-103). This vote may be conducted by electronic letter ballot. |
| 6.1.3.3 | If the Committee votes to deny the eligibility of the scheme, the basis for denial shall be documented. |
| 6.1.3.4 | Following approval by the ANAB Accreditation Committee, ANAB staff notifies the applicant in writing of the approval. This notification includes information related to the Environmental labeling scheme that was eligible. |
| 6.1.3.5 | If the ANAB Accreditation Committee does not vote to approve the eligibility of the Type I environmental labeling scheme, ANAB staff shall promptly notify the applicant in writing and include the basis for the Committee's decision along with information on any additional steps to be taken by the applicant, which may be deemed appropriate. The applicant may also appeal the decision in accordance with ANAB Accreditation Services appeals procedures. |
| 6.1.3.6 | The applicant, after correcting all outstanding deficiency(ies) /concern(s), may reapply to ANAB for eligibility at any time. Resubmission may necessitate payment of an additional fee. |
| 6.2 | Continuing Eligibility |
| 6.2.1 | Continuing eligibility activities shall be conducted at least once in three years. |
| The purpose of these activities shall be to: |
| a) | Determine that the environmental declaration program continues to be in compliance with ANAB requirements and the requirements of ISO 14020 and ISO 14024; and
|
| b) | Determine if the environmental declaration program continues to operate, as described in the documentation governing the program. |
| 6.2.2 | The continuing eligibility process shall be conducted in accordance with the clauses 5 and 6 of this procedure. |