The National Ecolabelling Programme – Green Choice Philippines (NELP-GCP) is a voluntary, multiple criteria-based, and third party programme that aims to encourage clean manufacturing practices and consumption of environmentally preferable products and services. This programme is seen as an important marketing instrument to complement laws and regulations for environmentally preferable products and a guide to consumers’ purchasing preference.
NELP-GCP stands as a significant initiative in driving the principles of sustainable development. The programme also considers the importance of a product or service’s entire life cycle–from the raw resources, manufacturing process, use, to disposal, and the recyclability of the product. In order for you to obtain the GCP seal, you have to meet the criteria that we provide to ensure your product’s quality and sustainability.
Main activities of NELP-GCP include product criteria development, product and service certification, and lastly, promotion and advocacy of green procurement and other environmental conservation practices.
NELP-GCP aims to transform the prevailing consumption and production behaviors that often lead to environmental misuse, abuse, and degradation, recognizing the importance of promoting and supporting eco-labeled products and services, NELP-GCP emphasizes the role of collaborative efforts in creating demand for environmentally preferable products and reinforcing green purchasing policies.
About the GCP Seal (Logo)
Our seal, 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, constitute the idea of environmental conservation should be a global movement.
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 symbolizes the environmental colors of the program while the drop of clean water and bloom represents transparency. In addition, the greenleaf at the right side of the logo embodies the mission of the programme–to safeguard the environment.
Mission, Vision, Goals
Mission
To guide the Filipino society in choosing which of the products and services being produced and distributed in the country poses minimum risks to environmental welfare.
Vision
NELP-GCP visualizes a society wherein environmentally-preferable products and services are being produced and distributed in the Philippines.
Goals
1. To guide the consumers to choose products and services that are environmentally sound.
2. To encourage the manufacturers and service providers to adopt processes and supply products/services that have less adverse environmental impacts.
3. To use the label as a market-based instrument to empower the consumers and complement the government’s environmental policy.
Affiliations
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Member of the Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN), a non-profit network that consists of 39 members around the globe promoting ecolabelling initiatives and sustainability practices. It is currently present in nearly 60 countries.
Member of the International Green Purchasing Network, an organization that encourages and promotes Green Purchasing around the world.
Member of the Life Cycle Initiative–spearheaded by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the intent of this initiative is to promote life cycle knowledge to achieve sustainable consumption and production patterns that would be beneficial to environmental preservation.
Associate member of the Asian Carbon Footprint Network (AFCN), the first regional network in the globe that addresses the climate impacts of products and services.
NELP-GCP Board Members
CHAIRPERSON
Department of Environment and Natural resources Environment Management Bureau (DENR - EMB)
CO-CHAIRPERSON
Department of Trade & Industry – Consumer Protection Group (DTI-CPG)
History of Green Choice Philippines
Conducted a feasibility study in establishing an ecolabelling programme (ELP) in the Philippines under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-assisted project, “Private Participation in Managing the Environment (PRIME)” by the Department of Trade and Industry.
A memorandum of agreement was signed among a multi-sectoral group of institutions, establishing the National Ecolabelling Programme.
Designated the Clean & Green Foundation Inc. as the Administrator of the ELP.
Conducted the First ELP meeting. Green star was the first approved name, and was changed to Green Choice in the same year.
Criteria for detergents and tissue paper products was also approved.
Launched GCP as the National Ecolabelling programme of the Philippines.
Became an official member of the Global Ecolabelling Network.
Partnered with the Philippine Green Building Council, a group campaigning to green the building industry in the country by implementing a rating system.
Conducted the first GP3 conference in the country to promote Sustainable Consumption & Production (SCP)
The Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, Inc. became the new administrator of NELP-GCP.
Conducted the second GP3 conference.
Formed the Green Purchasing Alliance Movement (GPAM).
Launched Philippine Green Pages (PGP) at the 2011 GP3 Conference.
PGP is an online platform to connect consumers to green products.
Solidified the first batch of the Green Public Procurement (GPP) pilot project.
Conducted the 2015 Kalikasan GP3 Expo and Conference (previously GP3)
GCP awarded a total of 109 products and services with 43 published criteria
