An ecolabel is the visible manifestation of a voluntary eco-innovation process. In this process, consumers’ environmental expectations are met; firms increase their created and captured value and enhance their sustainability, and governments and institutions foster sustainable production and consumption. The European Ecolabel, also known as EU Flower, has the mission to regulate and propose common standards in the region and it has been considered one of the ways to promote the Europe’s transition to a circular economy in Europe. Even though, the European Commission communicates the evolution of EU Label in the whole region, little is known about the EU Ecolabel evolution in Spain and it is not clear what are the drivers that encourage its implementation. Thus, the aim of this study is to assess the EU Label growing acceptance in the European Union and, more specifically in Spain by product categories and by geographical regions. The analysis shows that the major part of EU Label awarded products, in Spain, belong to the following categories: do it yourself (paints and varnishes), paper products, cleaning up, and electronic equipment. Interestingly, this study also shows that there are clear indications that the regions with higher incomes and exports in the country tend to register more products with eco-labels. Moreover, the regions with higher rates of ecolabelling have implemented and promoted sustainable public procurement criteria. Finally, this study may contribute as an important guidance for policy makers and firms to trigger ecolabelling practices and the transition to a circular economy in Spain and other regions with cultural proximity, like Ibero-America.
Keywords: Environmental certificates, EU Flower, eco-innovation, Spain, Circular Economy indicator, eco labeling.
5a Corporate sustainability strategies (and sustainable entrepreneurship)
