Ecological production means production where chemical inputs are not used in the production phase and all production stages are kept under control until the product is consumed. The aim of ecological production efforts is not to pollute the air, soil and water resources and to protect the environment, plant, animal and human health.
The increase in the human population, developing technologies and new techniques used create physical, biological and chemical hazards that threaten food safety and this has a serious impact on human health.
Today, the first priority of the food safety approach from farm to table is to protect human health and the second priority is to protect nature.
Now all over the world, countries and organizations have a more conscious understanding of consumption towards nature and food, and this understanding is becoming more widespread. People now want to consume foods that are friendly to nature and suitable for human health. That is why the demand for ecological products is increasing.
The main objective in ecological production is to maintain the efficiency of air, soil and water resources which will ensure the continuity of nature and to obtain the highest efficiency from a certain area.
In the meantime, it is necessary to explain that activities in this direction are called organic in England, ecological in Germany and biological in France. However, even though countries give different names, the meaning they express is common.
In many of the definitions of ecological production, the concept of sustainability is prioritized. Sustainability of production means not only the long-term protection and efficiency of natural resources, but also a balanced production system in economic, social and ecological terms.
Ecological Product Studies in Turkey
Ecological production or organic production is increasing rapidly in the world and in our country. Since the concept of ecological product in our country has not settled as desired in the society and this consciousness has not been established, ecological production in our country develops mostly based on export potential. Although our country has very favorable conditions for ecological production and high export potential, unfortunately it does not have a big share in the world ecological food market.
Ecological production activities are becoming widespread not only in developed countries but also in developing countries. In developed countries, the importance that people attach to nature and their health is more effective. Demand for ecological products is increasing, especially in Europe, North America and Oceania. Demand for ecological products that are difficult to grow in developed countries also leads to the development of international trade. In this respect, the ecology of our country is suitable for ecological production and has to give more importance to ecological production in order to meet the demands.
In our country, ecological production studies have started not with farmers as in developed countries but with representatives of ecological agriculture companies in developed countries. For example, ecological production was first introduced by the representatives of European ecological agricultural companies to a small number of grape producers in the Aegean Region. As demand increased, ecological production diversified and began to spread throughout the country during the 1980 years.
In general, the ecological production model applied in our country is in the form of contract farming between European companies and producers to make ecological production. Project based studies are carried out. In the contracts concluded, producers undertake not to use synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, to use appropriate ecological inputs and to apply agricultural methods.
In order to prove this situation, the control and certification processes are carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the accredited and accredited control and certification bodies, independent of the producers and marketing companies.
How was the ECOMark Standard Created?
Control and certification studies are the most important stage of ecological production in the presentation of products produced by ecological production methods to domestic and foreign markets. Because the labels on ecological products increase the consumer confidence in these products.
The awareness of nature protection is increasing and producers and consumers attach more importance to their environmental impact during the production, consumption and waste stages of the products. Environmental labels are important applications that show how environmentally friendly the products are, their sensitivity to nature and how they fulfill the environmental requirements.
TÜRCERT Technical Control and Certification Inc. based on this idea, ECOMark It has developed the Ecological Product standard. Products bearing the ECOMark environmental label enable consumers to focus more on environmentally friendly products.
The ECOMark standard is designed entirely on the basis of our country's conditions, and manufacturers who obtain the permission to use the ECOMark label on their products obtain a significant competitive advantage and provide consumers with solid evidence of the reliability of their products.
The ECOMark standard applies to products shipped for distribution, consumption or use, not only in the countries of the European Union, but also in all countries that care about nature and human health.
Products bearing the ECOMark label have proven the following properties:
• These products do not harm the natural environment at all or the damage they fall within the specified limits.
• These products are manufactured in accordance with natural conditions.
• These products disappear spontaneously in a short time in natural environment.
• The packaging on these products has no negative impact on nature.
• This is not a guarantee of the quality of the products, but indicates that the quality.
What is the Legal Basis of ECOMark Standard?
The Environmental Labeling System or the Eco-Labeling System implemented in the European Union was established in 1992 by the Council of Ministers of the European Union. The relevant regulation was updated in 2010 and re-published as the Eco-Label Regulation 66 / 2010 / EC. The ECOMark standard is based on this regulation.
The Environmental Labeling System implemented in the European Union deals with the whole life cycle of ecological products and sets criteria on product groups in order to reduce the negative effects of production activities and products on nature. The working group meets periodically and makes the necessary changes in the product groups considering the applicability of the specified criteria, various analyzes, environmental and market researches and the current life cycle of the products. When these studies are conducted and criteria are determined for the product groups, the focus is on the stage at which the products affect the nature at most. For example, in textile production, environmental impacts are highest during dyeing, bleaching or printing. In addition, electronic products create the highest environmental risk during use.
ECOMark Standard Certification Works
Companies applying the ECOMark standard and wanting to obtain an ECOMark Certificate in their enterprises are required to apply to our company or TÜRCERT Technical Control and Certification Inc. with an application form.
Following the application, firstly, environmental benefits related to the product group are evaluated within the framework of TS EN ISO 14024 standard (Environmental Labels and Declarations - Type 1: Environmental Labeling - Principles and Methods) and considering national and international standards. Then the product is verified. That is, it is determined whether the product for which certification is requested is in the right product group.
After that, a contract is made with the producer company. This agreement is made in order to determine the conditions of the service to be provided and the responsibilities and obligations of the parties.
After the contract is signed, necessary test, inspection and inspection works are initiated. For this purpose, documents, declarations, reports and similar information are requested from the company proving that the products meet the Eco-Label criteria. After the preliminary evaluation, product samples are requested from the company in order to carry out the test and analysis studies. In order for the ECOMark label to be placed on the product, the received sample must comply with the criteria established by the European Union Eco-Label Board.
Tests for samples must be performed in laboratories operating in accordance with the General Requirements for the Qualification of ISO 17025 Test and Calibration Laboratories, or in a laboratory accredited by an equivalent system to this standard. A list of these laboratories is available on the website of the European Accreditation Agency.
With the tests to be carried out, it is researched that the environmental impact of the product is reduced in all processes, from collection to processing, consumption and disposal.
The last step of the certification studies is to give permission to use the label. Once the products are found to comply with the ECOMark standard and the criteria set by the European Union on the basis of product groups and meet the necessary conditions, the manufacturer is permitted to use the ECOMark label.
Which Companies Does ECOMark Ecological Product Certification Include?
The ECOMark standard covers many product groups from the manufacturing and service sectors. On the other hand, both the scope of these product groups and the number of products in each product group are constantly improving. In order to authorize a product to use an ECOMark label, it must meet both the ECOMark standard and best practice and performance conditions.
The product groups that fall within the scope of ECOMark standard are shown below. The manufacturers of these products naturally fall within the scope of ECOMark Ecological Product Certification:
- Cleaning products (general cleaners, dishwashing detergent, dishwashing detergent, laundry detergents, soap, shampoo and conditioners)
- Clothing products (footwear, textile products)
- Do-it-yourself products (paint and varnishes)
- Electronic products (personal computers, laptops, televisions)
- Floor coatings (wood coatings, carpets, hard floor coatings)
- Furnishings (wooden furniture)
- Garden materials (growing medium, soil conditioners)
- Domestic products (bulbs, heat pumps)
- oils
- Bedding (mattresses)
- Paper products (photocopy and graphic papers, toilet paper)
- Services (campsites, tourist accommodation)
When determining the product groups that fall within the scope of Eco-Label application by the European Union, the following conditions are generally required:
- The product must represent a high sales volume in the national market.
- At least one (ie in the life cycle) stage of the production, use and disposal of products must have an impact on the environment on a regional or global scale.
- The products should meet the criteria for Eco-Label and the introduction of these products to the market should be encouraging both in terms of consumer choices and for manufacturers.
- A significant portion of the sales volume of products should be taking place for the end user.
What are the Principles of ECOMark Ecological Product System?
While preparing the ECOMark standard, it is aimed to protect the natural resources of our country and the earth and to establish a sustainable consumption understanding in the society. Nature gets more and more polluted every day and it is the obligation of all people and organizations to prevent it.
The principles of the ECOMark Ecological Product System can be explained as follows:
- Production plants and enterprises must adopt a sustainable production approach. All environmental protection measures are harmonized with this standard.
- The ECOMark standard criteria are preventive, not restorative. Problems should be prevented before they appear.
- In accordance with environmental policies, if there is concern about the consequences of any activity that may have a negative impact on the environment, action should be taken for this activity, even if this has not yet been scientifically proven.
- Consumers should be made aware of environmental protection and human health.
our organization TÜRCERT Technical Control and Certification Inc.is aware of these great dangers in terms of human health and nature protection and tries to fulfill its social responsibility in this regard. In the meantime, ECOMark carries out ecological product certification studies based on the authorization it receives from national and international accreditation organizations.