Eco-label 20 today
The Nordic eco-label – the Swan – turns twenty today. The Nordic Council of Ministers took the decision to establish an official Nordic eco-label on 6 November 1989. Over the last two decades, the Swan has become the best-known eco-label in the Nordic Region and one of Nordic co-operation's flagships.
- Photographer
- Magnus Fröderberg/norden.org
The vision behind the Swan is of a sustainable society with sustainable consumption. Consumers and procurement staff who buy green, and opt for products bearing the Swan, help improve the environment. More than 60 product groups now bear the Swan. In addition to more traditional goods such as washing powder and various paper products, the Swan now appears on computers, hotels, restaurants, cleaning services, etc.
The Swan is widely recognised by the people of the Region. A 2007 study revealed that 97% of Swedes recognise it. The European Union has an equivalent of the Swan, the Flower. The EU scheme is much younger and only includes 25 product groups so far.
The Nordic countries stipulate joint criteria for the Swan label. Companies apply for permission from the relevant authority in their own country to use the label.
The Swan was designed by the Finnish artist Kyösti Varis, who also designed the Nordic Council of Ministers' logo.
Contacts
Mia Rahunen
Phone
+45 33 96 02 61
Email
mira@norden.org
