1. Definition of the Hong Kong Green Label

The Hong Kong Green Label Scheme (HKGLS) is a voluntary environmental certification for products, awarded to products that demonstrably have lower environmental impacts over their lifecycle compared to similar products.

Key features:

• Voluntary certification system
• Independent third-party certification
• Based on product-specific environmental criteria
• Considers lifecycle impacts (Life Cycle)
• Compatible with international ecolabel standards

The scheme is part of ISO Type I ecolabels according to ISO 14024.

This means:

• Environmental criteria are set by an independent organization
• Products are tested and certified
• Comparison is conducted within a product category

2. Basic Principle of Assessment

A product receives the Green Label if it:

• Demonstrates environmental advantages over standard products
• Complies with environmental legislation
• Meets product-specific criteria
• Is verified through independent testing and documentation

3. Typical Requirements (Generic)

The exact requirements depend strongly on the product category (e.g., cleaning products, paper, electronics, building materials).

Typical criteria areas:

A. Raw materials

• Use of recycled materials
• Sustainable sourcing of raw materials
• Prohibition of certain hazardous substances

B. Production

• Reduced emissions
• Energy efficiency
• Waste minimization

C. Product content

• Limits for:
• • VOCs
  • Heavy metals
  • Toxic chemicals

D. Product performance

• Same or better functionality than standard products
• Defined quality requirements

E. Packaging

• Recyclable packaging
• Reduced material usage

F. Lifecycle

• Assessment of:
• • Production
  • Use
  • Disposal / Recycling

This lifecycle perspective is a core principle of ISO Type I ecolabels.

4. Certification Process

The process is fairly standardized:

1. Application to the Green Council
2. Submission of:
3. • Product data
   • Safety data sheets
   • Laboratory reports
3. Laboratory testing / documentation review
4. Technical evaluation by an Advisory Committee
5. Certificate + right to use the label
6. Annual monitoring / recertification

5. Typical Product Categories

HKGLS covers many categories, such as:

• Cleaning products
• Paper products
• Plastic products
• Electrical appliances
• Computer products
• Building materials
• Household products
• Auto accessories

6. Example of Specific Criteria (Paper Products)

For paper products with recycled content, requirements may include:

• Minimum percentage of recycled fibers
• Chlorine-free bleaching
• Limits on heavy metals
• Requirements for energy consumption during production
• Packaging requirements

7. Market Significance

The label mainly serves:

• As a marketing and trust signal for consumers
• To differentiate sustainable products
• As a reference for government Green Procurement Programmes

✅ Short Definition:
The Hong Kong Green Label is an ISO 14024-compliant, independent environmental product label, awarded to products that demonstrably achieve better environmental performance across their lifecycle within their category.