Environmentally Preferable Products (EPPs)

The past decade has witnessed a growing demand for environmentally sound products in industrialised countries. Environmental NGO campaigns and the media have largely contributed to developing environmental awareness among consumers. Also, recent food scandals have alerted consumers to health and environmental issues.

This growing environmental awareness in industrialised countries may create export opportunities for environmentally preferable products produced in developing countries, such as organic products, non wood forest products (e.g: nuts, essential oils), natural fibres and others. Environmentally preferable products can represent substitutes to products existing on the market due to their intrinsic nature or due to their environmentally preferable production methods or product characteristics.

In order to differentiate environmentally preferable products from conventional products, environmental claims are generally made through product labelling. Various types of environmental labels and certification programmes have been developed which respond to different criteria.

Although some developing countries have recently expanded their exports of several products with environmental and health attributes and have profited from changes in consumption patterns in developed countries, the challenge is now to increase the number of developing countries enterprises that can turn this potential into practical financial, social and environmental gains. However, realizing these benefits will mean facing up to a number of challenges and constraints. These include insufficient access to information, a lack of financial support, lack of knowledge and experience in the export business, lack of government support for product promotion and technology dissemination; and, absence of adequate national infrastructure.

See Project: Reconciliation of Trade and Environmental Policies