Label requirements and conditions
Reducing CO2
In order to ensure data consistency, the following rules apply:
- Reduction is determined by re-baselining i.e. accurately comparing the footprints of two products with similar definition and scope, but from two different generations.
- Duration of certification is two years, and the data for compared products should not exceed this timeframe.
- CO2 offsets* cannot qualify as a reduction.
Wherever the label appears on a consumer facing product, this represents a cradle-to-grave footprint.
Reducing CO2 Packaging
The ‘Reducing CO2 Packaging’ label has the same requirements as above, but applied to the boundary of packaging only.
Carbon Neutral
In order to achieve the certification, a company must:
- Measure the footprint within a clearly defined boundary.
- Develop a qualifying explanatory statement (QES) including:
- Statement of commitment
- Timescale for achievement
- A carbon management plan and targets for GHG reductions
- Planned means of achieving ongoing emissions reductions
- Offset strategy
- Purchase high quality carbon credits/offsets such as Gold Standard, VCS and Woodland Code UK to compensate for remaining emissions.
The duration of certification is one year, after which the product must be re-certified if it is to continue to use the label. Re-certification requires evidence that reductions have been achieved in both absolute and intensity terms against the preceding period.
Carbon Neutral Packaging
The ‘Carbon Neutral Packaging’ label has the same requirements as above, but applied to the boundary of packaging only.
Lower CO2
The following rules apply:
- Clear definitions need to be established of the product, its function, the ’market dominant‘ comparator and its function, boundaries, geographical region etc.
- It will only be awarded to a product that meets at least the following criteria:
- The product can only be compared to the ’market standard‘ product that fulfils a similar function, and within the same geographical region.
- No products with a lower footprint AND similar function exist, even if this product is not the ’market standard’.
- Additional rules apply to mitigate the risk of uncertainty ranges.
100% Renewable Electricity
In order to achieve certification, a company must:
- Demonstrate that the product is 100% backed by Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin (REGO) certificates.
- Have embedded policies and procedures, which relate to data collection, reporting and tracking, to ensure that the emission factors associated with the certified product are reported in accordance with the GHG Protocol Scope 2 Guidance.
CO2 Measured
The product footprint should be certified against an internationally recognised standard such as PAS2050, GHG Protocol Product Standard or ISO14067.
Wherever the label appears on a consumer facing product, this represents a cradle-to-grave footprint.
* What is a CO2 offset?
A CO2 offset refers to the compensation of residual emissions by funding a project with an equivalent saving in carbon emissions.
The Carbon Trust’s mission is to accelerate the move to a low carbon economy and, as such, we will only consider certifying organisations and products that align with this mission in an effective and meaningful way.
