The EU Eco-label Award Scheme The EU Eco-label Award Scheme and its implementation and its implementation

in Austriain Austria

Dr. Regina PreslmairDr. Regina Preslmair

Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry,

Environment and Water ManagementEnvironment and Water Management

Taiex Bucharest, 13-14 March 2008

Taiex Eco-Label Workshop Bucharest, 13-14 March 08

ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

DGDG EnvironmentEnvironment

Ministry of EnvironmentMinistry of Environment as competent bodyas competent body

VKIVKI ( (Austrian Consumer Austrian Consumer Association)Association) as as administrative support administrative support organisationorganisation

G&LG&L as marketing experts as marketing experts

Taiex Eco-Label Workshop Bucharest, 13-14 March 08

Development of Eco-labels in AustriaDevelopment of Eco-labels in Austria 1980`s: many private or regional (tourism) labels1980`s: many private or regional (tourism) labels

1990 Austrian Eco-label for products1990 Austrian Eco-label for products

1992 European Eco-label for products1992 European Eco-label for products

1996: Austrian Eco-label for tourism enterprises1996: Austrian Eco-label for tourism enterprises

2002 Austrian Eco-label for Schools2002 Austrian Eco-label for Schools

2003 EU Eco-label for tourism2003 EU Eco-label for tourism

2005 EU Eco-label for campsites2005 EU Eco-label for campsites

2008 Austrian Eco-label for travel packages2008 Austrian Eco-label for travel packages

Taiex Eco-Label Workshop Bucharest, 13-14 March 08

Main aims in the tourism sectorMain aims in the tourism sector

Ecological positioning of the tourism sectorEcological positioning of the tourism sector

Reduction of negative environmental impactReduction of negative environmental impact

promotion of ecological procurementpromotion of ecological procurement

support of regional economysupport of regional economy

Taiex Eco-Label Workshop Bucharest, 13-14 March 08

Development in AustriaDevelopment in Austria

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100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

Enterprises

Beds

Enterprises 1 3 3 3 5 7 8 8 8 11 14 18

Beds 52 109 109 109 246 246 334 334 334 436 496 764

12/03 03/04 06/04 03/05 06/05 09/05 12/05 03/06 06/06 09/06 12/06 12/07

Taiex Eco-Label Workshop Bucharest, 13-14 March 08

Harmonization with EU-FlowerHarmonization with EU-Flower

IntentionIntention of Austrian CB to harmonize is of Austrian CB to harmonize is highhigh„harmonize where possible and useful“„harmonize where possible and useful“

Austrian Austrian „Eco-label Advisory Board“„Eco-label Advisory Board“ agreed agreed to the suggestion of harmonizationto the suggestion of harmonization

TargetTarget – both eco-labels with one audit – both eco-labels with one audit

RevisionRevision of Austrian Tourism of Austrian Tourism CriteriaCriteria 2004 2004 harmonizedharmonized

Taiex Eco-Label Workshop Bucharest, 13-14 March 08

Comparison EU flower-Comparison EU flower-Austrian tourism Eco-labelAustrian tourism Eco-label

Accommodation Accommodation ServiceService

Accommodation Accommodation ServiceService

private accommodationprivate accommodation

Alpine Alpine mountain hutsmountain huts

Camp site serviceCamp site service CampsitesCampsites

RestaurantsRestaurants(Catering (Catering

establishments)establishments)

Travel PackagesTravel Packages

Taiex Eco-Label Workshop Bucharest, 13-14 March 08

Contact with Ministry or VKIContact with Ministry or VKI

Application documents and Eco-CheckApplication documents and Eco-Check

Meet open requirements of criteriaMeet open requirements of criteria

Information and counselling by specially Information and counselling by specially

trained consultantstrained consultants

Steps towards certification 1Steps towards certification 1

Taiex Eco-Label Workshop Bucharest, 13-14 March 08

Steps towards certification 2Steps towards certification 2

•Verification by independent

auditors

•Payment of application fee

•Contract and certification by

Ministry of environment

•Official award ceremony

•Right to use the label for marketing

Taiex Eco-Label Workshop Bucharest, 13-14 March 08

Cost StructureCost Structure

Consulting costs (optional)Consulting costs (optional)

Audit costs for verificationAudit costs for verification

Application and annual feeApplication and annual fee

Subsidies are possibleSubsidies are possible

Taiex Eco-Label Workshop Bucharest, 13-14 March 08

Financial Support and SubsidiesFinancial Support and Subsidies

specific Subsidies specific Subsidies for Eco-label consulting services for Eco-label consulting services

Increased subsidy rate Increased subsidy rate for Eco-label Enterprises for special for Eco-label Enterprises for special investmentsinvestments

Taiex Eco-Label Workshop Bucharest, 13-14 March 08

Examples for costs in AustriaExamples for costs in Austria

Type of Type of enterpriseenterprise

Application Application feefee

Verification Verification feefee

Annual Annual

licence feelicence fee

Micro Micro Enterprise Enterprise

(< 10 employees;(< 10 employees; <10 Mio.€ <10 Mio.€ turnover)turnover)

75,- €75,- €~1 day rate~1 day rate

Appr. 600,€ Appr. 600,€ min. 100,- €min. 100,- €

SME SME (10 - 250 empl.(10 - 250 empl.

<50 Mio.€ <50 Mio.€ turnover)turnover)

225,- €225,- €~1 day rate~1 day rate

Appr. 600,€Appr. 600,€min. 375,- €min. 375,- €

Normal Normal EnterprisesEnterprises 300,- €300,- €

~1 day rate~1 day rate

Appr. 600,€Appr. 600,€min. 500,- €min. 500,- €

Taiex Eco-Label Workshop Bucharest, 13-14 March 08

Annual feeAnnual fee

Calculation:Calculation:

0,15 % of turnover*/year0,15 % of turnover*/year(*= Price of accommodation x No. of stays minus 50%)(*= Price of accommodation x No. of stays minus 50%)

Reductions:Reductions:- 25 % for SME´s- 25 % for SME´s- 15 % for EMAS or ISO 14.000- 15 % for EMAS or ISO 14.000- 30 % for users of a national Eco-label (e.g. Austrian Eco-- 30 % for users of a national Eco-label (e.g. Austrian Eco-label)label)

max. 50% reduction possible!max. 50% reduction possible!

Min. 100,- € each yearMin. 100,- € each year

Taiex Eco-Label Workshop Bucharest, 13-14 March 08

Technical Support in AustriaTechnical Support in Austria

Electronic Application formElectronic Application formand Softwareand Software

AWK-plus Tourism: www.oeko.atExample for waste-concept „plus“

Environmental Data Controlling-Software: recording tool for costs and consumption

„TourBench“ ww.tourbench.infoOnline-Benchmarking Tool

Taiex Eco-Label Workshop Bucharest, 13-14 March 08

Thank you for your attention !Thank you for your attention !