Media Advisory

Issued by Environmental Choice New Zealand.
Sunday 22 September, 2013.

Deadline for environmental submissions

This is the last week for submissions on changes being proposed by the country’s environmental label, as the NZ Ecolabelling Trust looks to toughen up its standards for a range of consumer products.

Its Environmental Choice programme is asking for public and industry comment on palm kernel oil, phosphates, and one of the potentially harmful chemicals that can make products seem “lemon fresh”. 
PVC packaging, the misleading use of the terms “natural” and “plant-based”, and the issue of fully listing ingredients on products are all being canvassed by Environmental Choice as it revises its standards for detergents, general cleaners and floor care products.

The government-owned eco-label has published the names of around 2000 products that have passed its independent tests, but it expects that not all relevant products with the seal will immediately meet these new standards once finalised. “Existing label holders will be given 12 months to cross the new finish line, or they face losing the Environmental Choice seal of approval,” warns general manager Robin Taylor.

BACKGROUND
Environmental Choice New Zealand has been assessing products and services for 21 years. 
It is owned by the government but is operated at arm’s length by an independent trust.
Its mandate includes the ongoing strengthening and updating of licensed product environmental criteria as science advances.
It is surveyed as the most trusted New Zealand-based environmental label.
When present, the Environmental Choice label positively influences three out of five purchase decisions.

ON-LINE
The latest annual report of the Trust can be viewed at: http://www.flipsnack.com/FA69B9F569B/f7x3yunu

The latest news from Environmental Choice is on-line at: http://www.flipsnack.com/FA69B9F569B/ftp86n3n

www.environmentalchoice.org.nz

ENDS

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