NATIONAL ECOLABELLING PROGRAMME- GREEN CHOICE PHILIPPINES

AN ISO 14024 APPLICATION

The Philippine ecolabelling programme is an ISO 14020 application, particularly following the
guiding principles set by ISO 14024 for the Type I Environmental Labelling or Ecolabelling. This
ISO 14024 series awards an environmental label to products and services that meet a set of
predetermined requirements or criteria for a particular product or service.
The program is voluntary in nature and characterized by a third party declaration. The products or
services are subjected to scrutiny on a voluntary basis, in which, the manufacturers and/or
distributors of a particular product or service intentionally apply for an ecolabel. A third party is an
independent entity outside the supplier (first party) and purchaser (second party) that evaluates the
validity of the environmental claims of the product or service made by the applicant as basis for the
eco-label. In the Philippines, the third party is the National Ecolabelling Programme of the
Philippines-Green Choice Philippines (NELP-GCP).
NELP-GCP awards the Green Choice Philippines positive seal of approval to a product or service
that meets the established leadership criteria. A 3-year license to use the GCP eco-label is given to a
particular product or service that passed the predetermined environmental standards. Such standards
take into consideration the life cycle stages (cradle to grave) of a product or service.
A. NAME AND LOGO
The Green Choice Philippines (GCP) is the official name of the national ecolabelling program of the
country. It is a duly registered name with the Intellectual Property Rights of the Department of Trade
and Industry (DTI).
Its unique logo, also being used as the Seal of Approval for products and services
that passed the predetermined product criteria, represents the different elements
of the environment and its being global in nature. The logo is a sphere divided
into two parts. On the left side is the dark blue Earth while on the right side is a
dark green leaf. At the center is a drop of clean water and a bloom. A green band
encircles the sphere where the name Green Choice Philippines appears. The
colors green, blue and white symbolize the environmental colors of the program
while the drop of clean water and a bloom symbolizes transparency. Moreover, the green leaf at the
right side of the logo embodies the mission of the program to protect the environment.
B.

VISION, MISSION AND GOALS

Vision
Environmentally preferable products and services are being produced and distributed in the
Philippines
Mission
To guide the Filipino society in choosing which of the products and services being produced and
distributed in the country pose the minimum risks to environmental health and welfare.
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Goals
1. To guide the consumers when purchasing products and services that has reduced impacts to
the environment;
2. To encourage manufacturers to adopt processes and supply environmentally sound products;
and
3. To use the label to empower the consumers and complement the governments environmental
policy
C. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
The ecolabelling programme is presided over by the National Ecolabelling Programme of the
Philippines (NELP) Technical Board that acts as the main policy-making body of the program. The
Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, Inc. (PCEPSDI)
serves as the NELP Administrator or Programme Secretariat. There are two functional committees
namely the NELP-Technical Committee (NELP-TC) that is mainly responsible for the development
of product criteria, and the NELP-Promotion and Advocacy Committee (NELP-PAC) that is tasked
to campaign and promote the national ecolabelling program.
The NELP Technical Board is a quasi-government entity with multi-sector representation. Currently,
the Technical Board has thirteen (13) members from government agencies, industry associations,
non-government organizations, and consumer groups.
The NELP-TC is primarily tasked to develop product criteria. GCP needs to develop a significant
number of product criteria for various product categories in order to acquire a critical mass of
ecolabelled products or services that are available in the market. It is a group of technical experts
composed of representatives from the academe, research institutions, government agencies, trade and
industry associations, professional institutions, private organizations and scientific testing centers. In
particular, NELP-TCs responsibilities are the following:
a. To identify and recommend a product category to the NELP-GCP Board for criteria
development;
b. To review and amend, as needed, the draft criteria submitted by the Technical Working
Group (TWG);
c. To recommend to the NELP-GCP Board the draft criteria for approval; and
d. To establish and dissolve Technical Working Groups.
Under the guidance of the NELP-TC, the TWGs are ad hoc committees assigned to deliberate on the
details of the development of product criteria for specific product categories. The TWGs are formed
to develop criteria for a product category. Each TWG is composed of groups or sectors equipped
with technical knowledge and experience relevant to the product category being studied.
Specifically, TWG is responsible for determining the significant environmental impacts of the
products or services and for developing the ecolabelling criteria which will serve as bases for
evaluation of applicants for ecolabelling.

Realizing the importance to draw public awareness on the benefits of the program, the NELP-GCP
Board organized the NELP-PAC to oversee the necessary tasks to promote the national ecolabelling
program to the public and business entities. The committee members are composed of various
sectors from the academe, industries, consumer groups, and government information agencies.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
ECOLABELLING PROGRAMME BODY
Governed by the NELP-GCP Board

NELP-GCP ADMINISTRATOR
Managed by PCEPSDI

NELP TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

FOR
PRODUCT CRITERIA
DEVELOPMENT

NELP PROMOTION AND

ADVOCACY COMMITTEE
Composed of Multi-sectoral
representatives

TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP(S)

AdHoc group formed on a
per product category

NELP-GCP BOARD COMPOSITION

Chairperson: Department of Trade and Industry
Co-Chairperson: Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Members:
1.
2.

Department of Budget and Management -Procurement Service

Industrial Technology and Development Institute - Department of Science and
Technology (ITDI-DOST)
3. Energy Research and Testing Laboratory Services Department of Energy (ERTLSDOE)
4. National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC)
5. National Consumer Affairs Council Department of Trade and Industry
(NCAC DTI)
6. Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP)
7. Office of the President Republic of the Philippines- Office of the Executive Secretary
8. Citizens Alliance for Consumer Protection (CACP)
9. Philippine Business for the Environment (PBE)
10. Concerned Citizens Against Pollution (COCAP)
11. Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, Inc.
(PCEPSDI)
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NELP-GCP TECHNICAL COMMITTEE COMPOSITION

Chairperson:

De La Salle University Center for Engineering and Sustainable

Development Research (CESDR)

Members:
1. Bureau of Product Standards Department of Trade and Industry
2. Bureau of Product Standards Testing Center Department of Trade and Industry
3. Environmental Management Bureau Department of Environment and Natural
Resources
4. National Science and Research Institute University of the Philippines Diliman
5. Department of Health
6. Chemistry Department De La Salle University
7. Industrial Technology and Development Institute - Department of Science and
Technology
8. Environmental Institution - Miriam College
9. Mapua Institute of Technology
10. Environmental Science Program Ateneo De Manila University
11. St. Lukes Medical Center
12. Philippine Institute of Pure and Applied Chemistry
13. Philippine Association of Environmental Professionals
NELP-GCP PROMOTION AND ADVOCACY COMMITTEE COMPOSITION
Chairperson:

Citizens Alliance for Consumer Protection

Members:
1. National Consumer Affairs Council Department of Trade and Industry
2. Board of Investments Department of Trade and Industry
3. Department of Budget and Management Procurement Service
4. Philippines Business for the Environment
5. Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc.
6. Environment Committee - Management Association of the Philippines
7. Concerned Citizens Against Pollution

NELP-GCP ESTABLISHED PRODUCT CRITERIA

PRODUCT CATEGORY
1 Tissue Paper Products
2 Zinc-Carbon and Zinc-Alkaline Manganese Dioxide
Batteries
3 Polyethylene and Polypropylene Packaging Materials
4 Printing and Writing Paper
5 Crayons
6 Portable Fire Extinguishers Carbon Dioxide, Dry
Chemical, Clean Extinguishing Agent
7 Cement
8 Fluorescent Lamp
9 Electronic Ballast
10 Oil-Based Paint
11 Water-Based Paint
12 Liquid Disinfectants
13 Pen
14 Pencil
15 Paper Envelope
16 Paperboard
17 Inkjet Cartridge
18 Toner Cartridge
19 Automotive Service Station
20 Desktop Computer
21 Laptop Computer
22 Computer Monitor
23 Printer
24 Photocopier
25 Multi-Function Printing Device
26 Facsimile Machine
27 Bath Soap
28 Hair Shampoo
29 Liquid Dishwashing
30 Automotive Engine Oil
31 Synthetic Laundry Detergent
32 Organic Infill Material
33 Induction Lamp Luminaires
34 Ceramic Tile
35 Natural Liquid Disinfectant
36 Light Emitting Diode (LED)
37 Fiber Cement Board
38 Food Services

GCP CODE
2002002
2003003
2003004
2004006
2006007
2006008
2006009
2007010
2007011
20070012
20070013
20080014
20080015
20080016
20080017
20080018
20080019
20080020
20080021
20080022
20080023
20080024
20080025
20080026
20080027
20080028
20080029
20080030
20080031
20080032
20080033
PRP 2008001
PRP 2009002
PRP 2010003
PRP 2010004
PRP 2011005
PRP 2011006
20130034

NELP PROMOTION AND ADVOCACY ACTIVITIES

1. Biennial GP3 (Green Productivity, Green Purchasing Towards Green Philippines) Conference
2. Capacity Building on Green Public Procurement among Government Institutions
3. Capacity-Building on Green Purchasing among private business companies
4. Green Purchasing Alliance Movement (GPAM) Roadshow on Green Purchasing and Ecolabelling
5. GPAM General Assembly
6. Green Youth Movement (GYM) Philippines Green Fun Run
7. Green Business Executive Briefing and Seminars
8. Capacity-Building on Life Cycle Assessment and Ecolabelling
9. Annual Green Philippines Exhibit Show Green Choice Philippines Pavilion
10. Annual World Bex Exhibit Show Green Choice Philippines Pavilion
11. Tree-Planting Partnership Project with the Foreign Chamber Council of the Philippines (FCCP)
at the DOST Compound in Taguig City
12. Ecolabelling Mutual Recognition Agreement with Taiwans Environment and Development
Foundation (EDF)
13. BERDE Rating Scheme Partnership Project with the Philippine Green Building Council
(PHILGBC)
14. The Philippine Green Pages Eco-Directory

Green Choice Philippines

GUIDELINES FOR
AWARDING THE SEAL OF APPROVAL
Section 1. The Green Choice Programme
I.

BACKGROUND

The continuous development of policies and systems that aim to care for the environment and the creation of
effective instruments for their implementation is a major responsibility of our government. While the world does
not necessarily demand compliance to environmental standards related primarily to testing and measuring
pollution through the International Standards Organization (ISO) 14000 series, the Philippines has already
adopted these systems to provide an option for concerned entities to abide by sound environmental practices
and procedures.
Standards of the ISO 14000 series are concerned with complex environmentally-oriented management, which
includes Environmental Labelling, often called as Ecolabelling. A voluntary application with a third party
certification body, the programme usually identifies products that have less environmental impact, sets up
environmental requirements and awards a special label to products that meet these standards. It is seen as an
important market instrument used to complement mandatory laws and regulations for environmental protection
set by the government.
The National Ecolabelling Programme-Green Choice Philippines (NELP-GCP) is the governments response to
our need to change consumer preferences and practices, initiating a demand for environmental responsiveness
from all sectors of society.
When Republic Act No. 9003, also known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, was
approved on 26 January 2001, the National Ecolabelling Programme (NELP) of the Philippines was given a
legal basis. Article 4 of Section 27 states that DTI shall formulate and implement a coding system for
packaging materials and products to facilitate waste recycling and reuse. The Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI), through its Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) and the Private Sector Participation in Managing
the Environment Environmental Management System Module (PRIME Module 3), adopted a plan for the
development of the National Product Ecolabelling Programme.
The NELP-GCP intends to guide consumers to choose products that are environmentally sound; to encourage
manufacturers to adopt processes and supply products that have less adverse environmental impacts; and to
use the label to empower the consumers and complement the governments environmental policy.
II.

THE GREEN CHOICE PHILIPPINES LOGO

The NELP logo is a sphere divided into two parts. The dark blue left side represents the Earth, symbolizing the
global nature of the movement. The green right side features a dark green leaf that embodies nature. At the
center is a drop of clean water and a bloom that also symbolizes nature and transparency. A green band
encircles the sphere where the name Green Choice Philippines appears. The environmental consideration
that the product category hopes to effect will appear below the Green Choice logo.

Section 2. General Procedures of the Green Choice Philippines

I.

PURPOSE

In general, Green Choice Philippines endeavors to uplift consumers consciousness on the environmental
features of products and services. The logo is awarded to products and services that are certified to be less
harmful to the environment, attesting environmental leadership. Hence, if consumers purchase environmentally
preferable products and services due to label information, it is hoped that market forces will encourage
producers and manufacturers to change their production and business processes to reduce environmental
harm.
II.

SCOPE

Products that are sold in the Philippines, regardless of their country of manufacture, can apply for a Green
Choice License for the product category whose certification criteria have already been developed or not yet
developed through a panel review process.
The application, and the eventual License, shall be product and facility-specific. Separate applications shall be
made for products covered by separate criteria. Likewise, separate applications shall be filed for same products
but manufactured at different plant sites or products different in brand.
III.

TIME FRAME

The process will take approximately 1 to 2 months, from the processing, site visits and product testing,
evaluation and validation to the approval of the NELP Technical Board and awarding of the Green Choice
Philippines License.
IV.

REQUIREMENTS
PRODUCT/SERVICE

FOR

AWARDING

GREEN

CHOICE

SEAL

LICENSE

TO

a. The applicant must be a manufacturer, importer or distributor of the product in good standing.
For non-manufacturer applicants, the manufacturers written consent must be presented.
b. The applicant must submit a Letter of Intent and fill up the Application Form and pay the
corresponding processing fee (see annex 1).
c. Products must meet the requirements and criteria set forth in the Criteria for Certification.
d. Applicant shall be able to confirm its capability to manufacture products consistently conforming
to the criteria of a specific product category.
e. Applicant and product manufacturer (in case the manufacturer is not the applicant, a written
consent of the manufacturer must be presented) shall comply with existing environmental laws,
regulations and other related legislations.
f. Laws on quality, health, and safety must also be met. However, the NELP Programme has the
right not to issue the Green Choice Philippines License despite quality, health, and safety
compliance if the product causes environmental problems.
g. The Program Administrator has the right to request for supporting documents i.e. test results to
verify applicants claims.
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V.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR APPLICATION

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

Letter of Intent
Filled out application form (one form for each product applied)
Articles of Incorporation or Business Name and/or Sub-Contracting Agreement
Company Profile and/or Annual Report
Verified true copy of the Official Receipt of payment for processing fee
Verified true copy of the various test results that may be required as part of the specified
product criteria.
g. A sample product with the product catalog indicating its technical specifications. A color
photograph of the product shall also be included.
h. Any other document or material that may be required to supplement the information regarding
the product or for the periodic audit of its compliance to the criteria set forth.
The application should be mailed or delivered directly to this address:
The NELP-GCP Administrator
Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, Inc.
DAP Bldg., San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Philippines 1600
VI.

GREEN CHOICE PHILIPPINES PROCEDURES ON AWARDING OF SEAL OF APPROVAL

Evaluation of the application will be done according to the guidelines of the NELP-GCP. The product evaluation
shall be based on the documents submitted. The Program Administrator may require the applicant to present
additional documents or materials if deemed necessary to facilitate better evaluation.
The application for the license to use the Green Choice Philippines Logo shall be made upon submission of the
GCP Form 1, in triplicate, which may be obtained from the Programme Administrator. It shall include an
undertaking by the Applicant to abide by the Terms and Conditions of the License. The application shall be duly
subscribed and sworn to by the applicant, or his duly authorized management representative, and shall be filed
only with the Programme Administrator.
The Programme Administrator shall conduct an evaluation based on the requirements outlined in the Criteria for
Awarding the Seal of Approval. The Programme Administrator may request for a third party expert examination,
costs of which shall be borne by the applicant. The Programme experts will conduct site visits or review results
of product tests to validate claims of the applicant.
In case the product testing, evaluation and validation results failed to meet the criteria set for the product
category, the applicant is given 90 days to resolve the results and thereafter submit the product for reevaluation.
It is expected and required that the applicant, in all stages of the evaluation, to cooperate with any activities
pertaining to determining conformance to the product criteria. The applicant shall make available to the
Programme Administrator and/or designated representatives and auditors, such information and product
samples as may be required for the evaluation of its application, or for the periodic audit of its environmental
performance.
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After evaluation, the Program Administrator shall then make a recommendation to the NELP Technical Board.

Application for Ecolabel

Company

Processing of Application
NELP Administrator

to Conduct Site Visit /

Need Product
Testing
Experts

Evaluation Results
Technical Evaluation Committee
Approval

Failed
Product
Criteria
Failed
Product
Criteria

Passed Product Criteria

ELP Board

Awarding of Label / Certification

Figure 1. NELP-GCP Application Process

VII.

NOTIFICATION

The NELP-GCP Board, after the recommendation from the Programme Administrator, shall notify the applicant
of the results with a formal correspondence. The NELP-GCP Board shall issue the License or other notification
deemed appropriate.
VIII.

USE OF GREEN CHOICE LOGO

A Use of the Green Choice Philippines Logo contract shall be signed between the Applicant and the NELPGCP Administrator represented hereto by their designated official(s). The right to use the logo shall be for a

10

period of 3 years from date of issuance of the Green Choice License and shall be subjected to annual re-audits
and when a formal complaint against the use of the Green Choice Logo arises.
An applicant awarded with the Green Choice Philippines License qualifies to use the Green Choice Philippines
Logo. Successful applicants will receive a Green Choice Philippines Contract for the Use of the Green Choice
Logo together with the notification of the result of the examination, and will be required to enter into this
agreement with Green Choice Philippines within one (1) month of receipt of notice. This License signed by the
NELP-GCP Board Chairperson and NELP-GCP Administrator Official recognizes the products compliance to
the Green Choice Philippines product requirements.
Terms for Use of the Green Choice Philippines Logo shall be complied with, including all relevant laws and
regulations, as well as specifications provided in the guidelines for usage of the Green Choice Philippines Logo.
IX.

SUSPENSION, WITHDRAWAL OR CANCELLATION OF LICENSE

The NELP-GCP has the right to suspend, withdraw or cancel the Applicants Contract to Use the Logo on any or
all of the following grounds:
a. That the product bearing the Green Choice Philippines Logo fails to conform to the
requirements of specific criteria through surveillance audit and market monitoring among
others.
b. That the licensee fails to comply with the Terms and Conditions of the license.
c. That the licensee fails to enter into the Contract for the Use of Green Choice Logo within one
(1) month of receipt of the notification
d. That the licensee made false statements in connection with its application for or maintenance
of the license.
e. That the licensee violates any relevant environmental, quality, health and safety laws.
f. That the NELP-GCP Technical Board reasonably determines that suspension, withdrawal or
cancellation of license is necessary for the appropriate implementation of the Green Choice
Philippines Program.
The license shall be suspended, withdrawn or cancelled after the NELP-GCP Technical Board has served the
licensee a notification, stating therein the grounds for the contemplated action, granting the licensee the
opportunity to be heard within fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of notice.
In case when cancellation of license occurs, the applicant is compelled to remove all products bearing the
Green Choice Logo from all distribution and commercial outlets within 15 days of receipt of notice.
X.

FEES AND CHARGES

Fees and charges are to be paid by the local and foreign companies to NELP-GCP Administrator, unless
otherwise stated, shall be in accordance with the Schedule of Fees. The fees and charges are subject to
changes as may be necessary.
In the event of any untoward incident, the company shall be legally liable and responsible for the auditor during
the entire duration of the audit.

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XI.

CONFIDENTIALITY

All information, either documented or verbal, disclosed to Green Choice Philippines shall be regarded as
confidential and shall not be made available to a third party other than the members of the
National Ecolabelling Programme Green Choice Philippines personnel without the prior written
consent of the applicant. Where information is required by law to be disclosed to a third party, the
company shall be promptly informed in writing of the information provided and the details of the
legal situation that may be disclosed.
The NELP-GCP Body and the authorized auditors shall be compelled by confidentiality agreements.

XII.

IMPARTIALITY

The Programme Administrator and its duly authorized auditors are to be free from any interest that might cause
them to act in an impartial or non-discriminatory manner. If an individual or their employing
company has provided consulting services to the National Ecolabelling Programme Green Choice
Philippines, their services shall be documented and approved to ensure that the impartiality of the
process is not compromised.
The applicant and the Programme Administrators authorized auditors shall disclose to the Programme
Administrator, prior to the evaluation, any existing, former, or envisaged link between themselves.
Auditors shall sign a Work Order to signify their impartiality and agreement of confidentiality.

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Annex 1. Fee Structure

Item
1.

Amount (PhP)

Processing Fee

Product/Service Annual
a. With
Sale existing
(PhP) NELPGCP standard
1.) 501 M and Up
2.) 401 500 M
b. Without existing
3.) 301 400 M
NELP-GCP standard
4.) 201 300 M
5.)
101 200 M
2. Laboratory
Testing(s)
6.) 51 - 100 M
7.) < 50 M

3. Transportation
4. Board and Lodging
5. Licensing fee for 3 years
6. Annual fee

Licensing Fee (PhP)

10,000. 00

500, 000. 00
400, 000. 00
50,000.00
300, 000. 00
200, 000. 00
000. 00
As billed by100,
testing
75, 000. 00
laboratory(ies)
50, 000. 00

As per arrangement
As per arrangement
Maximum of 500, 000. 00
Minimum of 50, 000. 00
Maximum of 100, 000. 00
Minimum of 20, 000. 00

Remarks
To cover the review
process, desk review of
application
a preAnnual papers,
Fee (PhP)
certification audit and the
certification audit
100, 000. 00
80, 000. 00
60, 000. 00
40, 000. 00
20, 000. 00
As per arrangement
20, 000. 00
20, 000. 00

Only if necessary
Only if necessary
To be paid prior to the
awarding of logo
To be paid upon the
annual surveillance audit
and continued used of
logo

NOTES

13

NOTES

14

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