An eco-label, or a green sticker, is a kind of marking which shows that a product is environmentally friendly. This allows buyers, particularly those who are concerned about sustainable development, to make informed purchasing decisions. Appliances, for instance, may have labels that provide information on reduced energy consumption. Certain cleaning aids may have specific markings on their packaging to let buyers know that they are biodegradable and contain no harmful chemicals which may adversely affect water systems.
There are certain regulations which cover the use of eco-labels in various parts of the globe. The Europeran Union, for example, has set standards which determine the qualifications of a product for eco-labelling. The same is true in the United States, but only for certain types of products. While it is true that governments all over the world would do well to support efforts for sustainable development, eco-labels are used not just to comply with government regulations. These days, it may also be seen as an effective marketing strategy which appeals to the growing concern of the public for the environment and the conservation of resources.
There are different eco-labels for different types of products. For instance, certain brands of packaged seafood may have labels to assure the public that catching methods comply with certain environmental standards. A good example is tuna. In the past, it was quite common for dolphins to get caught in nets used to catch tuna. These days, many tuna products have the appropriate labels to show that steps were taken to ensure that no dolphins were harmed in the process of hauling in tuna.
