Eco-labeled Products Research Articles

Malaysian Consumers’ Willingness-to-Pay Toward Eco-Labeled Food Products in Klang Valley

Food labeling is an important aspect of food law that provides consumers with information about food products, and eco-labeling is one such tool for conveying that information. The products that are produced under environmentally friendly and sustainable practices can qualify to apply for eco-label certification. The purpose of this article is to investigate how much consumers are willing to pay for eco-labeled food products in Malaysia. A survey was conducted in Klang Valley, Malaysia, and 1,115 respondents were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Consumers’ willingness to pay for eco-labeled food products is determined by using contingent valuation method (CVM). Theory of planned behavior (TPB) is chosen for use in this study. Descriptive analysis summarizes the sociodemographic data, and binary logistic model is used to identify consumers’ sociodemographic factors, past experience, and knowledge in predicting the likelihood of willingness to pay for eco-labeled food products. The results indicate that education level, income, age, marital status, household size, attitude, past experience, and knowledge significantly influence consumers’ willingness to pay for eco-labeled food products.

The Influence of the Country-of-Origin Ecological Image on Ecolabelled Product Evaluation: An Experimental Approach to the Case of the European Ecolabel

This study investigates the influence of country-of-origin ecological image on the evaluation of ecolabelled products. Based on two experiments involving French consumers, the authors show that the mention of a country of origin with a favourable ecological image has no effect on the evaluation of an ecolabelled product (Studies 1 and 2). However, the mention of a country with an unfavourable ecological image negatively influences the product’s evaluation, especially when there is no information about the brand (Study 1). This effect is moderated by the level of confidence towards the product’s country-of-origin. The authors consequently draw some business and academic implications from their findings.

The long and bumpy journey: Taiwan׳s aquaculture development and management

This paper presents an overview of Taiwan׳s aquaculture development and management, focusing on the transition of the industry and the current management measures that particularly address environmental effects, ecolabels and diversification into tourism and ornamental fish business. Since the late 1980s when Taiwan׳s aquaculture in its heyday was pounded by emergent environmental problems, a policy was established on enhancing governance over aquaculture, in seeking to transform it towards an environmentally, economically and socially sustainable industry. The paper shows that positive outcomes have been achieved after the policy measures have been implemented over the past two decades. However, potential challenges of ongoing environmental impacts, conflicts regarding multiple sea uses, concerns on seafood safety, lack of management of “black” farms, low market penetration of ecolabeled products and lack of participative management were identified. It argues for the need to encourage ICZM programs to solve sea use conflicts and minimize environmental impacts, reduce “black farms” to fill the management gap, enhance market shares of ecolabeled products and a transition to a more participative mode of governance.

Towards Greater Understanding Of Ecolabel Effects: The Role Of Country Of Origin

This research explores the country of origin effect on the evaluation of ecolabelled products. Findings from experimentation indicate that the mention of a country of origin with favorable image in terms of sustainable development has a neutral effect on the evaluation of an ecolabelled product. However, the indication of a country with a negative image affects the product evaluation negatively.

Improving Eco-labelling as an Environmental Policy Instrument: Knowledge, Trust and Organic Consumption

Eco-labels have an import role in promoting green consumption since most eco-labelled products are credence goods, implying that the valued process attributes they contain are not observable to the consumer even after purchase or consumption. Therefore, the consumers rely heavily on eco-labels as a reassurance that these attributes are actually delivered. We argue that the label will only have the desired effect if the consumers know the production standards underpinning it and have trust in the label. We test this argument using organic food as our example. The empirical results obtained on the basis of our analysis of Danish purchasing data on actual purchases combined with detailed survey data show that the higher the level of knowledge of labelling attributes and the higher the degree of trust in the label, the more likely consumers are to buy organic food.

CONSUMERS PERCEPTION OF LITHUANIAN ECO-LABEL

In the recent decade, individuals have become more environmentally concerned, while companies realized that consumers’ needs and desires are changing. This, in turn, has created new environmentally oriented practices, like ecological labeling, to satisfy consumer demands. Though eco-labels were created with a purpose to ease consumers to make their buying choices, a certain degree of confusion has emerged among the customers concerning the precise meaning of eco-labels. In Lithuania “Ekologinis žemės ūkis” (“Ecological Farming”) eco-label has been issued in 2009. However, it is still new to consumers in addition to generally low level of ecological labeling practice awareness. With regard to the issue of consumer confusion and the distrust of eco-certification, the purpose of the research was to investigate perceptions of Lithuanian consumers of eco-labels and in particular Lithuanian ecological label “Ekologinis žemės ūkis.” Although, the findings revealed that introduction of eco-label “Ekologinis žemės ūkis” was positively perceived, suggesting that it might make more people to consider their health and environment more seriously, the study participants recognized both positive and negative aspects of the label. However, consumers reported not feeling totally “safe” while choosing eco-labeled products and distrust producers and ecological labels because of their claims. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.em.18.4.4990

Buying and Wasting Sustainably. Determinants of Green Behaviour in Cyprus and Sweden

The paper examines the impact of determinants on purchasing of eco-labelled products and waste separation for recycling in Cyprus and Sweden. The analysis uses logistic regression and Eurobarometer survey data. Results show that policy measures could be targeted to dealing with situational factors (e.g., availability of recycling services) (more so in Cyprus than in Sweden); improving access to trusted information sources and better targeting information (especially on environmental impacts of specific behaviours) to different population groups, e.g., by income and gender (in both Cyprus and Sweden); and improving labelling for ecological products (more so in Cyprus than in Sweden).

THE EVOLUTION OF ECO-LABELED PRODUCTS IN ROMANIA

Nowadays, when the problem of environmental protection is quite stringent, the producers are concerned to bring on the market products, which have reduced environmental impact. In their turn, the consumers have become more aware and selective in purchasing products or services. Due to the financial crisis, consumers buy less but they are asking for quality and environmental friendly products. Under these circumstances the producers must find solutions in order to satisfy the consumers’ requirements. According to market survey the significant progress has been made in the production of green products so that they reduce the environmental impact, taking into account a part or the whole lifecycle of the product. In free consecutive years gradually the companies are oriented to obtain various certifications for the products and services they offer. One of the most important and successful certification schemes identified by survey is the European eco-label. However, there are a number of other widely accepted and successful labels that are also analyzed in the present study. The survey objective was to identify green products on the Romanian market and to monitor their evolution. The present paper presents the results of three years market research focusing on product categories that include eco-labeled products.

Millennial generation attitudes to sustainable wine: an exploratory study on Italian consumers

Abstract Although much has been written about sustainable food consumption in the last few decades, obtaining reliable information on consumer preferences for new social/ethical and eco-labeled products can be an arduous task. At the same time, there has been increased academic and professional interest in the wine consumption behavior and attitudes of so-called Millennials (individuals aged between 18 and 35). Indeed, this generation has grown up in a period where new wine attributes (i.e. beyond origin, price and brand) have gained great importance, specifically those concerning environmental, ethical and social issues associated with conventional production practices. Nevertheless, Millennial consumer preferences and purchase decisions of sustainable wines have not been truly investigated. Based on a survey of 500 Italian respondents, we assessed Millennial consumer interest and willingness to buy three wines with specific labels certifying environmental, social and ethical attributes, namely a carbon neutral wine, wine produced on land confiscated from a criminal organization, and wine that devolves money to African institutions that combat AIDS. Our findings reveal that the label related to social features (Libera Terra) obtains the highest patronage rate (almost 75% of respondents). Applying a probit model, estimates show that living in an urban area, being female and older (age cohort 27–35) significantly increases the probability of buying sustainable wines. The results are particularly useful for marketers and entrepreneurs since studies that compare different sustainability aspects of wine are particularly scant and no research has yet focused on Italian Millennials.

Consumer confusion over the profusion of eco-labels: Lessons from a double differentiation model

How are eco-label strategies affected by consumer confusion arising from the profusion of eco-labels? This article provides a theoretical insight into this issue using a double differentiation framework. We assume that consumers perceive a label as a sign of quality compared to an unlabeled product, but that they cannot fully assess the environmental quality associated with each label and only see each label as a particular variety of a similar product. We analyze the pricing strategies of three firms, each one providing one product: a labeled product, with high or medium environmental quality, according to the eco-label, or an unlabeled product. We infer lessons for eco-labeling policies, according to the identity of the certifying organization: the regulator, an NGO or the firms. We show that the firm supplying the eco-labeled product with a high environmental quality is weakened by consumer confusion while the firm selling the unlabeled product suffers from strict labeling standards, to the benefit of the firm providing the labeled product with a lower environmental quality, which gains a competitive advantage. Most labeling policies consist of harmonizing labeling criteria, but only certification by a third party, the regulator or a NGO, guarantees the high environmental quality of labeled products, whereas certification by firms leads to a uniform undemanding standard. However, when both labels are provided by two different certifiers, including a firm, harmonization of environmental standards does not occur and the NGO's or regulator's eco-labeling standard will be much more stringent than the firm's one, preventing NGO's or public eco-labeling policy to significantly enhance quality of the environment and welfare.

Eco-labeling motorcoach operators in the North American travel tour industry: analyzing the role of tour operators

Tourist transportation is a major contributor of emissions and environmental pollutants. Eco-labels can encourage more sustainable tourism by informing consumers’ purchasing decisions, while utilizing market forces to initiate environmental responsibility among competing firms. The Green Coach Certification pilot eco-label program was introduced to the motorcoach industry in 2009 as part of a university research program. Although the literature addresses relationships between end-user consumers and eco-labels, little research has been published on mid-supply chain actors and tourism eco-labels. Tour operators are intermediaries between end-users and motorcoach operators and are important potential consumers of eco-labeled transportation services. To understand the role of tour companies as both consumers and providers of green services and eco-labeled products, a survey was administered to North American tour operators. Results demonstrate tour operator interest in a tourism transportation eco-label; however, this interest may be secondary to traditional considerations like price, reputation for safety and service, and previous partnerships. Ninety percent of tour operators indicated that environmental practices held some importance when choosing a transportation provider; approximately 50% said they would pay between 1% and 5% more for an eco-labeled coach company. Findings have important implications for the design and implementation of eco-labeling programs for sustainable tourism and transportation.

Towards sustainable society: from materialism to post-materialism

Finnish university students (n = 198) assessed their attitudes and achievements in implementation of sustainable development in their daily life. The data were collected using a theory-grounded semantic differential technique. A measurement instrument was created by balancing 36 variables of environmental, economic and social sustainability. As a result of logistic regression analysis post-material behaviour was predicted statistically significant by the following attitudes: health-promoting lifestyle, recycling, organic food, water saving, maintaining of civil society, favouring eco-labelled products and services, and favouring renewable energy resources. These themes are discussed in the paper and a model of sustainability promoting social change is created.

Biodegradability, toxicity and mutagenicity of detergents: Integrated experimental evaluations

The widespread use of detergents has raised concern with regard to the environmental pollution caused by their active ingredients, which are biorefractory, toxic and persistent. Since detergents are complex mixtures of different substances, in which synergistic effects may occur, we aimed to assess the mutagenicity of different detergent formulations, taking into account aquatic toxicity and ready biodegradability. We performed a ready biodegradability test (OECD 301 F), Daphnia magna and Vibrio fischeri toxicity tests, and mutagenicity tests (Salmonella/microsome test, Allium cepa test and comet assay). Six detergent formulations were examined, 3 pre-manufacture and 3 commercially available. All detergents presented ready biodegradability. EC50 values varied for all products, according to the marker organism used, but were always higher than the more stringent value considered for aquatic toxicity assessment (V. fischeri 10–60mg/L; D. magna 25–300mg/L; A. cepa 250–2000mg/L). None of the detergents caused mutations in bacteria. However, one commercial ecolabelled product induced an increase in micronucleus frequency in A. cepa root cells. All pre-manufacture detergents and one commercial one, which gave negative results in the Ames and A. cepa tests, induced DNA damage in human leukocytes. A more accurate evaluation of the environmental impact of complex mixtures such as detergents requires a battery of tests to describe degradation, as well as toxicological and mutagenic features.

The shaping of environmental impacts from Danish production and consumption of clothing

The article analyses environmental impacts from production and consumption of clothing in Denmark based on 10 business case studies, an ethnographic study of clothing practices among a group of young women, and a statistical analysis of clothing consumption. The environmental strategies and impacts are shaped by the businesses' on-going interpretation of external pressures and opportunities, transnational outsourcing of production to newly industrialised countries, changes towards ‘fast fashion’ and lower retail prices. Differences are identified with respect to whether and when companies take and embed environmental initiatives. The companies make environmental demands to suppliers in newly industrialised countries to different degrees. Some companies cancelled eco-labelling, because it was too demanding to manage, while some fashion companies recently launched eco-labelling, because they see a need to show environmental commitment publicly. The fast changing fashions and low price strategies encourage increased clothing consumption among young women, unused clothing in their wardrobes and frequent changes of clothing during the week. Concerns about environmental impacts are limited. The dominating business strategy of only few eco-labelled products seems to have had limited impact on these women's practices, and thereby on the environmental impacts from Danish consumer choices in general.

Consumer Preferences for Eco, Health and Fair Trade Labels. An Application to Seafood Product in France

How are consumer attitudes towards eco-labeled products affected by a profusion of labels? This article provides both theoretical and empirical insight into this issue. Assuming that consumers perceive a label both as a sign of quality and of a particular characteristic of a product, we deduce theoretical determinants for preferences for three types of label: a health label, an eco-label and a fair trade label. We enrich this analysis by synthesizing most empirical determinants of eco-labeling demand mentioned in the literature. Using a French survey on seafood products, the estimation of a rank-ordered multinomial logit with random intercepts shows a certain proximity between the profiles of pro-eco-label and pro-fair trade label consumers, whereas pro-health label individuals have a more distinct profile: The two former are more likely to be young men mainly concerned with fishing conditions, whereas the latter are older married women with children who pay attention to the product form. We relate preferences for labels to degree of altruism, environmental consciousness and other socio-economic features.

Understanding the Determinants of Consumers’ Willingness to Pay for Eco-Labeled Products: An Empirical Analysis of the China Environmental Label

This study applies data from a web-based survey conducted in mainland China to examine the determinants of consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for seven different product categories awarded with China Environmental Label and com- pare the mean WTP estimates among these categories. The Interval Regression method is used for estimation. The results indicate that Chinese consumers who regard environmental conservation as being more important than life convenience, who believe purchasing the eco-labeled products is good for the environment, and who have the experience in purchasing eco-labeled products are willing to pay more for those products with environmental label or eco-label. In addition, socio-demographic characteristics such as gender, age, education and household income are found to be important factors to affect Chinese consumers’ WTP amounts. Finally, the results of pair-wise comparison among the mean WTP estimates of various eco-labeled products indicate that most of them are different, which implies that the degrees of Chinese consumers’ willingness to pay extra money for China Environmental Label are different based on the types of products.

The Elusive Price Premium for Ecolabelled Products: Evidence from Seafood in the UK Market

Ecolabelling is an increasingly important tool used in the promotion of sustainable forestry and fishery products around the world. Whether the consumer is actually paying a price premium for ecolabelled products is of fundamental importance as it indicates a return on the investment of sustainable practices, providing an incentive for producers to undertake such practices. This article seeks to address the question of whether or not an actual premium is being paid by consumers for ecolabelled seafood by conducting a hedonic analysis of Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-certified frozen processed Alaska pollock products in the London metropolitan area in the UK market using scanner data. Regression results show a statistically significant premium of 14.2%. This implies the presence of market differentiation for sustainable seafood and the potential of the MSC’s fisheries certification programme to generate market incentives for sustainable fisheries practices.

Ethno-Cultural Differences and Consumer Understanding of Eco-Labels: An Empirical Study in Malaysia

Firms have been using eco-label as a tool to inform consumers of the environmental characteristics of their products. The essential issue for marketers in international markets particularly in countries with multi-ethic populations such as Malaysia is to identify different ethnic group and their responses (i.e. behavior) to their products. The purpose of this article is to examine whether different ethnic groups display different perception on eco-label. eed a linking statement before this sentence.value compared to Indian, Chinese and other ethnic group (3.17, 2.71, anag Results indicate that Malay, Chinese and Indian, the three major ethnic groups in Malaysia differ in their recognition of the eco-label.The finding implies that marketing managers should consider ethno-cultural differences when marketing and promoting their eco-labeled products in the market to achieve competitive advantage.

Comparative toxicity of leachates from 52 textiles to Daphnia magna

The environmental aspects of textiles are very complex and include production, processing, transport, usage, and recycling. Textiles are made from a variety of materials and can contain a large number of chemicals. Chemicals are used during production of fibres, for preservation and colouring and they are released during normal wear and during washing. The aim of this study was to investigate the release to water of toxic chemicals from various textiles. Altogether 52 samples of textiles made from cotton (21), linen (4), cotton and linen (7), cellulose (3), synthetic fibres (7), cotton and synthetic fibres (8) and wool (2). Seven were eco-labelled. All textiles were cut into squares and placed into Petri dishes with 50 ml ISO test medium in a concentration series (4–256 cm 2/50 ml) and tested for acute toxicity to Daphnia magna. Estimated EC50s were converted into weight/volume, and 48-h EC50s ranged between <1 and >182 g/L. It was not possible to detect any difference between fibre type and toxicity (ANOVA), but a significantly higher toxicity was found for printed versus unprinted cotton and cotton/linen textiles, while the opposite was found for synthetic textiles. Eco-labelled products were evenly distributed on a toxicity scale, which means that eco-labelling in its present form does not necessarily protect users or the environment from exposure to toxic chemicals. Therefore, the results from the present study suggest that bioassays and toxicity tests should become an integrated part of textile environmental quality control programs.

Green Farm Subsidies Sponsoring Eco Labeling: Is the Separation of Market Access and Subsidies Regulation in WTO Law Sustainable?

Ecolabel products, such as organic products, are more expensive than their non-organic counterparts. If nearly all costs incurred when changing production methods from traditional to organic are paid in a subsidy, is that subsidy trade-distorting? It will most likely not be inconsistent with World Trade Organization (WTO) law. The paper evaluates various reasons why WTO law responds so poorly to these situations, questions the historical separation of market access and subsidy regulation that causes the poor response, and seeks other, new and innovative solutions. The paper covers a wide range of issues, including non-violation complaints and why process and production methods (PPMs) are so difficult to work with.