Today, as environmental issues and sustainable living become hot topics in society, eco-friendly products and services, ecolabels, and the organizations that certify them are becoming more popular than ever with consumers. And of course, we cannot overlook Blue Angel – the world’s first ecolabel certification.
Overview of Blue Angel
Blue Angel (Blauer Engel) is a German eco-label certification established in 1979. It is the first eco-label certification and also the certification that laid the foundation for the development of current green standards. Blue Angel is managed by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment and operated by RAL, an organization of technical experts.
As it is under the supervision of a national agency, Blue Angel’s product and service verification process is extremely transparent and clear. Rather than relying on self-declared commitments from businesses, every product or service bearing the Blue Angel certification must undergo a rigorous independent testing process. Through this, the certification aims to introduce consumers to products that meet health standards while also protecting the ecological environment.
What products does Blue Angel certify?
As a national certification, it is no surprise that Blue Angel can certify over 100 product groups, spanning almost all areas from daily life to construction, with specific approval criteria for each group. However, in general, these products and services can be grouped into eight categories, specifically:
- Household goods / Pharmacy: including dishwashing liquid, detergent, diapers, feminine hygiene products, toilet paper, shampoo, body wash, soap, indoor insect repellents, etc.
- Lifestyle / Textiles: Shoes, toys, mattresses, furniture, etc.
- Green technology/Home appliances: Computers, phones, keyboards, software, etc.
- Construction: Flooring, plaster, wall paint, etc.
- Heating/Energy: Air conditioners, wood stoves, etc.
- Office supplies: Ink, bags, recycled paper boxes, etc.
- Transportation: Buses, eco-friendly trains, etc.
- Services / Local government.
Blue Angel standards
Environment and consumer health
Environmental factors are always a top priority when it comes to eco-labels. Throughout the product life cycle, businesses are required to control CO2 emissions within permissible limits. For certain products, Blue Angel also encourages the use of recycled or readily available materials instead of fossil fuels to increase recyclability while minimizing the energy and labor required to extract new materials.
In addition, product ingredients must not contain harmful substances, such as heavy metals, SVHCs, etc. This helps eliminate harmful substances released into the environment during production while protecting consumer health.
Functional performance
Blue Angel not only prioritizes environmental and health issues but also focuses on product quality. Accordingly, to obtain certification, products must meet minimum technical standards as a guarantee of consumer rights.
What does Blue Angel offer?
Blue Angel is not only a renowned ecological certification in Germany but is also recognized worldwide, particularly in demanding markets like the US, Japan, and Europe. As such, this certification acts as a key to help businesses enter global eco-friendly product markets and collaborate with major corporations and government organizations.
At the same time, products bearing the Blue Angel certification also enjoy consumer trust and preference. This certification serves as recognition that the product has undergone a rigorous verification process, meeting all standards for quality and health safety, as well as ensuring no harm to the ecological environment.
For consumers, the Blue Angel certification acts as an essential bridge to a sustainable lifestyle. This certification rigorously and transparently checks the quality of the process on behalf of consumers, ultimately delivering truly compliant products to them. This makes consumers’ journey towards a green, clean, and beautiful lifestyle easier and eliminates the risk of greenwashing from green products and services with unclear environmental claims.
Conclusion
Blue Angel and the contributions this certification brings not only benefit businesses and consumers but also represent a strong step toward green living, sustainability, and protecting our ecological environment. So, don’t hesitate to use products and services with this ecolabel!