The 22nd Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols (COP 22) was held on 7-10 December in resort city of Antalya, Turkey with the participation of ministers from signatory states, non-governmental organizations and academicians.
The 4-day long conference took place with the participation of nearly 400 people from 20 countries. Marine litter, loss of biodiversity and alien species in the Mediterranean Sea as well as climate change were on the table in the meeting. Besides, 38 thematic events took place to protect the Mediterranean Sea.
A thematic event under the theme “Environmental Labelling in favor of Responsible Production and Consumption in the Mediterranean region: Turkish Environmental Label” was also held within the meeting. Prof. Ülkü Yetiş , who leads and directs “Turkish Environmental Label Project", commented on the event drawing both domestic and international visitors.
Yetis pointed out “Turkish Environmental Label system was initiated to provide scientific and not-misleading information to customer about environmental effects of products and services. This scheme, which is carried out on voluntary basis, seeks to define eco-friendly products and services with “Environmental label.” The circular on Turkish Environmental Labelling was drawn up and issued in accordance with the Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 on the EU Ecolabel.
Environmental label is granted to those products and services who have less environmental effects than other products and services. In the determination of criteria for Environmental Labeling, every phrase in a product’s lifecycle , from procurement of raw material to the management of wastes, should be considered in terms of their environmental effects. Sustainable use of wastes,the reduction of emissions, the minimization of waste as well as the reuse/recycle of wastes should be assessed carefully. Products and services who seek to be granted with an environmental label must also meet quality standards and fulfill consumer’s expectations, in addition to have less environmental impact compared to others.
In the 4-day-long COP22, Turkish Environmental Labelling set up a stand to inform participants of the scheme with visual and written materials.
Turkish Environmental Labelling was prepared and issued for product groups such as textile, tissue paper ceramic tales, hand diswashing detergents, personal care and cosmetics product and tourist accomodation servise group. The applications for granting an environmental label have been accepted after the issue of Environmental Labelling Criteria.
The studies and works on the establishment of criteria regarding product groups such as glass, dyes and polish, detergent for both washing machines and dishwashers are continuing within the scope of “Turkish Environmental Labeling Development Project.” In the period ahead, the works and studies on different product and service groups will also be conducted to determine and set standards.
