ECOLABELLING: ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR CHINA

This 1996 report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes the development and implications of China's national ecolabelling program. It details the program's structure, its role in reducing domestic environmental stress, and the potential for environmental labels to act as trade barriers for developing countries. The document evaluates the impact of foreign ecolabelling on Chinese exports—specifically in the textile and refrigerator sectors—and provides recommendations for strengthening China's program through increased transparency, the adoption of life-cycle analysis, and international cooperation to achieve mutual recognition of standards.

• China officially launched its environmental labelling program in May 1994 with the establishment of the China Certification Committee for Environmental Labelling Products (CCEL). The program is a government-sponsored, third-party certification scheme where application is voluntary. By June 1996, the program had issued criteria for 12 product categories and awarded labels to 43 products from 23 manufacturers.
• The Chinese ecolabelling program primarily utilizes a single-factor or few-factors approach for setting criteria, though it has applied a life-cycle approach specifically for pure silk products. The report suggests that China should adopt life-cycle analysis (LCA) more regularly to align with ISO 14024 recommendations and other international programs.
• While general trade effects of ecolabelling on developing countries are not currently seen as significant, specific Chinese exports have been hindered. For example, European ecolabelling criteria for refrigerators reduced the competitiveness of Chinese products in those markets, and a company in Jilin Province was blocked from exporting wallpaper to a European country due to environmental label issues.
• An investigation into the textile industry indicates that while exporters in Beijing do not feel significantly affected, the Xiamen Silk Import and Export Corporation experienced a decline in exports since 1992. This was attributed largely to a 1994 German law banning textiles dyed with Azo Dyes, which required expensive certified testing before shipment.
• China's domestic ecolabelling efforts face challenges including low public awareness and the higher cost of labelled products. For instance, a CFC-free refrigerator costs 100-300 yuan RMB more than a standard one. Additionally, the program lacks a formal public review process, which is recommended by ISO and WTO TBT rules.
• The report identifies opportunities for China to expand exports of environmentally friendly products to OECD countries. Specifically, 100% CFC-free refrigerators from companies like Haier, Kelong, and Changling, as well as pure silk products, are noted as having high export potential.

APA

International Institute for Sustainable Development (1996). ECOLABELLING: ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR CHINA. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/EcoChina.pdf

Chicago

International Institute for Sustainable Development. ECOLABELLING: ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR CHINA. 1996. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/EcoChina.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=International Institute for Sustainable Development |title=ECOLABELLING: ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR CHINA |date=1996 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/EcoChina.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{internationalinstituteforsustainabledevelopment1996ecolabelling, author = {{International Institute for Sustainable Development}}, title = {{ECOLABELLING: ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR CHINA}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {1996}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/EcoChina.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }