4B Manaka NCPC

REGIONAL EXPERT MEETING FOR AN AFRICAN ECO-LABEL SCHEME: 

REGIONAL EXPERT MEETING FOR AN AFRICAN ECO-LABEL SCHEME Hosted by: UNEP and the UN Economic Commission for Africa 11 – 13 June 2007 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Budu Manaka Monday 11 June 2007

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Introduction-NCPC NCPC-SA launched at World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002 NCPC-SA cooperation programme SA dti, Austria and Switzerland NCPC-SA hosted by CSIR as legal entity and incorporated as part of UNIDO’s CP programme worldwide Centre funding – Phase I – co-funded Austria, Switzerland & South Africa Phase II – funded via the dti with additional donor project funding (Austria, Denmark, Switzerland)

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Introduction-NCPC Sector focused Chemical Agro-processing Clothing & Textile Clothing & Textile Cleaner Textile Production Project Initiated 2000- 2003 Extension Project (2003-2005) : Clothing and Textile Environmental Linkage Centre Integrated into the NCPC-SA (2006-current)

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NCPC-SA Chemical Clothing & Textile Agro- Processing Others The dti Donors PSC PSC PSC PSC Sectors Project Steering Committees

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Eco-labelled t-shirts at WSSD (2002) (Gregory Knitting Mills, Bibbette) Cotton bales with EU Flower Awareness & capacity building Articles in trade magazines Workshops with designers & clothing manufacturers No kak Fashion Show (2004, 2006 & 2007) Textile procurement guidelines (on hold) Eco-labelling Activities

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Organic Conference (June 2007) Organic Freedom Project Natural and Organic Products Exhibition Hemp Group, CSIR, etc Danida Organic Cotton Production (not much buy-in) Organic Wool- Woolworths (retailer) Eco-labelling Activities cont..

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International retailers going green Local retailers adopting same route Environmental branding gives added-values qualities to the product – part of a modern life-style (niche) Possibility for increased market share by acting and profiling as a sustainable company Possibility for higher prices on market There is money in it – but it takes an effort ! Opportunities

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Challenges Manufacturers Price to secure certification Which route to follow (organic vs eco-labelling) – info gap Is there really a market out there? Demand…. Consumers Retailers Government Uncoordinated Policy instruments Minimum/lack of enforcement/ encouragement Minimum/lack of incentives Communication/collaboration with industry uncoordinated

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Challenges cont… Consumers Price of products Info gap Where to get eco- products (locally & internationally) Verification/ traceability Certification bodies (SA e.g.) Competing with each other Lack of information Money making strategy? Others?

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Integration into govt policies (existing and future) Regional ecolabel scheme Agency to monitor compliance (verification) Access to available markets Pricing leveraged for African countries Awareness across the different industry pipelines Conclusion