Sustainability criteria for biofuels
The International Standards Organization (ISO) is currently accepting votes on a new work item proposal (NWIP) – a Standard for sustainability criteria for biofuel. This vote will determine whether ISO decides to develop a new Standard on sustainability criteria for biofuel.
The work proposes to draw on the substantial international work already underway, such as in Europe (CEN - European Committee for Standardization), the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels, the International biofuels forum, and the Tripartite task force (Brazil, EU, USA), to obtain a consistent world wide Standard.
Standards New Zealand is securing New Zealand’s vote on the NWIP ballot due 1 December 2008. To achieve this, we will run a three week email consultation with a wide range of stakeholders during October and November 2008. We are aiming to ensure that any New Zealand standpoint is established taking account of all interests concerned at the national level.
New Zealand is le ...read more [opens in new window]
Environmental labelling
Any organisation focusing on improving the environmental aspects of its products should consider applying the ISO 14020 series, to more clearly communicate their environmental competitive advantage and help consumers make more informed choices:
- ISO 14021:1999 Environmental labels and declarations – Self-declared environmental claims (Type II environmental labelling) covers packaging, labelling, and voluntary claims. It states that all self-declared environmental claims shall be accurate and not misleading.
- ISO 14024:1999 Environmental labels and declarations – Type I environmental labelling – Principles and procedure tackles Type 1 environmental labelling – commonly known as ‘ecolabelling’ (for example, the Nordic Swan or the Japanese Eco-Mark).
- ISO 14025:2006 Environmental labels and declarations – Type III environmental declarations – Principles and procedures gives guidance on issuing quantified environmental inform ...read more [opens in new window]
Environmental management systems - new international study group
In a recent ISO ballot, 31 countries approved the establishment of an environmental management systems (EMS) study group, to determine future challenges facing EMS, and how to take account of new environmental technology. New Zealand voted ‘yes’ to establishing the study group, and abstained from nominating an expert to the group. New Zealand’s role from 31 October will be an observer of the EMS study group.
For more information, please contact Angela Henderson, Business Development Manager – Environment, at Standards New Zealand:angela.henderson@standards.co.nz
New ISO Standard will assist worldwide plastics recovery and recycling trade
Plastic products are traded internationally and plastics material for recovery may be obtained from various sources. Plastics – Guidelines for the recovery and recycling of plastics waste, ISO 15270:2008, will assist the emerging worldwide market for plastics recovery and recycling.
The Standard will help plastic resin manufacturing companies and industrial users, many of which are multinational companies, in the development of:
- a sustainable global infrastructure for plastics recovery and recycling
- a sustainable market for recovered plastics materials and their derived manufactured products.
The major markets for plastics are packaging, building and construction products, electrical and electronic products, automotive/transportation, and household/consumer items. ‘Access to markets for recovered materials is an important consideration,’ says Dr Michael Fisher, committee Chair. ‘There is already international trade in end-o ...read more [opens in new window]