Product Labeling
Prices do not reflect true social and ecological costs and benefits. This makes it difficult to assess a product’s ecological and social characteristics when making a purchasing decision.
Product Labeling systems send a clear message to the consumer about the broader lifecycle impacts of a product. By addressing the social and ecological costs and benefits of a product, Product Labeling provides critical information for value-based purchasing decisions. In turn, this awareness can help promote Fair Trade in products which are produced in ethical and ecologically sound ways.
Product Labeling schemes provide a way for companies of all sizes to create market share by documenting their Conservation Economy practices. In some cases, labels allow significantly higher prices to be charged (e.g. organic produce). In other cases, labels capture a niche market (e.g. certified wood).
In order to be credible, labels and certification schemes must be independently evaluated by third parties which are widely respected for their neutrality and reliability. For instance, The Forest Stewardship Council maintains a network of regional organizations like Northwest Natural Resources Group, which in turn certify forests as sustainably managed.
Virtually any service or commodity can be labeled and certified. Produce is labeled organic, hormone-free, salmon-safe, non-genetically modified; wood is certified as sustainably harvested; tuna is certified as dolphin-safe; and fish stocks are in the process of being certified as sustainably managed. Furniture can inherit a chain-of-custody certification from mills, which can inherit a chain-of-custody certification from the certified wood that it uses.
Electricity is now certified as green or salmon-friendly by dozens of utilities and companies. Craft products are given a fair-trade certification. The U.S. Green Building Council has developed the L.E.E.D. rating system for Green Buildings based on their environmental performance. The International Standards Organization has developed the ISO 14000 standard for certifying corporate environmental management systems. Products are given a Green Seal certification based on their overall lifecycle performance.
Ultimately, every sector of Bioregional Economies will have well-defined labeling and certification systems. Such systems allow individuals wishing to express their values and organizations following Green Procurement policies to make purchases reflecting their priorities. While they are somewhat cumbersome to establish, and often require initiative from the non-profit sector, such systems will continue to grow in importance and sophistication and earn increased acceptance in the marketplace. Over time, they will provide an important foundation for True Cost Pricing.
Participate in product labeling and certification systems that effectively document the sustainable practices associated with a product or service. When necessary, start new systems to provide an even clearer picture of social and ecological benefits. Use product labeling and certification systems to guide consumption and green procurement.
As we learn more about the advantages of a conservation economy, it will become easier to design equitable, creative, and effective systems of taxes and fees at all scales which shift consumption from destructive to regenerative forms.
At each level of tax assessment, from town to nation, shift taxes so that they accurately reflect true social and ecological costs and benefits. Stop taxing good things like employment and begin taxing bad things like pollution.