Start of the marketing of products carrying the Carbon Footprint Label

With the aim of contributing to the establishment of a low-carbon society, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) launched the Carbon Footprint Pilot Program as a commissioned program in this fiscal year in cooperation with related ministries.

Under this commissioned program, the first application was examined to verify the carbon footprint calculation results and labeling method submitted. As a result, the applicant has been authorized to market products carrying the Carbon Footprint Label.

What is a carbon footprint?

The carbon footprint of products (CFP) is calculated as the quantity of CO2-equivalent emissions of greenhouse gases from the product’s entire life cycle, from raw material acquisition to disposal and recycling, and is displayed on the product in an easy-to-understand manner.

METI launched the Carbon Footprint Pilot Program as a commissioned program in this fiscal year in cooperation with related ministries.

Start of the marketing of products carrying the Carbon Footprint Label

Following an application by a company wishing to be authorized to carry the Carbon Footprint Label on its products, the first case under the pilot program was examined. The carbon footprint calculation results and labeling method for nonglutinous rice (japonica rice), rape oil, and powdered laundry detergent were verified and determined to be appropriate.

As a result, the applicant has been permitted to market products labeled with the Carbon Footprint Label pursuant to the carbon footprint calculation results and labeling method that have been verified.

For more information, please visit the website on carbon footprint at http://www.cfp-japan.jp (in Japanese) or http://www.jemai.or.jp/english/carbonfootprint.cfm (in English, less informative than Japanese web site.)

• Reference 1 : What is a carbon footprint of products? (PDF:74KB)
• Reference 2 : Verification of Carbon Footprint of Products (for each item) pursuant to the PCR (Product Category Rule) (PDF:98KB)

Release Date

October 13, 2009

Division in Charge

• Environmental Industries Office, Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau
• Conformity Assessment Division, Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau
• Distribution and Logistics Policy Division, Commerce and Distribution Policy Group

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