The Blue Angel aims to provide reliable information for people who want to shop and consume in an environmentally conscious manner. That is why it certifies products that, when viewed holistically, are particularly environmentally friendly and, at the same time, meet high standards for health and safety, as well as usability. The Blue Angel can now be found on a virtually endless variety of products—ranging from toilet paper to showerheads and mattresses, paints, varnishes, and spray cans, all the way to toys and printers.

The Blue Angel Must Hold Its Own in the Market

The Blue Angel was launched in June 1978 at the initiative of the federal government, when the Environmental Labeling Jury convened for its first meeting. For the first time, representatives from environmental and consumer protection organizations, industry, labor unions, and politics came together to discuss issues related to product labeling. The BDI represents the interests of manufacturers on the independent Environmental Labeling Jury. In the summer of 1978, this jury adopted the first award criteria for the Blue Angel. A key factor in its success is the cooperation of all major societal stakeholders in this field. Another factor is the voluntary nature of the Blue Angel’s use by manufacturers and, of course, consumers. This means that the Blue Angel, too, must prove itself in the market.

The voluntary acceptance of this eco-label varies depending on the industry and market requirements. For example, it is selling like hotcakes among manufacturers of recycled paper products as well as paints and varnishes.

The eco-label has inspired imitators

The success of the Blue Angel as a government-organized eco-label is beyond question, and over time it has inspired imitators such as the European Eco-Label, awarded by the European Commission, and the Nordic Swan, awarded by the Nordic Council of Ministers.

The BDI will continue to support the Blue Angel in the future through active participation on the eco-label jury.