Vol. 404 No. 7
81 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for the Environment if he has received a submission from the Consumers' Association of Ireland regarding the desirability of establishing an environmental labelling scheme, to prevent misleading descriptions being given to products with regard to environmental standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Consumers' Association of Ireland were in correspondence with me some time ago on this subject. I am also aware of a relevant article in Consumer Choice, September 1990.
I have already made clear my support for the concept of eco-labelling. The European Commission has prepared a proposal for a Community wide eco-labelling scheme and the Environment Council will shortly begin its examination of this.
Section 75 of the Environmental Protection Agency Bill, 1990, will require the new agency to establish, or arrange for the establishment of, an eco-labelling scheme in this country. In carrying out this duty, the agency must have regard to any relevant EC requirements.
