Materials supplier BASF (Florham Park, NJ) has launched the Eco-Label Manager database to help users manage the abundance of eco-labels, environmental claims, directories, and ratings systems associated with greening and sustainability. 

The database, whose full name is SELECT (Sustainability, Eco-Labeling, and Environmental Certification Tracking) Eco-Label Manager, allows a user to search, analyze, and compare eco, environmental, and sustainable programs in an organized way.

"The demand for environmentally preferable products is rapidly evolving and influencing purchasing decisions along entire supply chains," said Pat Meyer, senior product steward and program leader at BASF. "These purchasing requirements have spawned hundreds of eco-labels and programs from the federal government, large retailers, trade associations and third-party organizations, leading to a lot of confusion."

BASF says that the result is many businesses are spending considerable time and resources trying to understand and manage these classification. This tool, adds Meyer, is made to simplify and streamline the efforts needed to get this work  done.

At present, the database includes 100 programs for review, primarily associated with North America, and it is continuing to add programs from all regions globally. Examples of what users will find include Built Green Canada, a residential construction checklist and energy rating system; the USGBC LEED programs; and the Green Guides, a set of guidelines established by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to help manufacturers make clear and substantiated marketing claims.

Eco-Label Manager is currently available to BASF employees and preferred BASF customers and stakeholders. If you would like to gain access to the database or are interested in learning more about it, visit the SELECT Eco-Label Manager website.