The EU Eco-label Award Scheme and its implementation in Austria Dr. Regina Preslmair Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management Taiex Bucharest, March 2008

Taiex Eco-Label Workshop Bucharest, March 08Responsibilities  DG Environment  Ministry of Environment as competent body  VKI ( Austrian Consumer Association) as administrative support organisation  G&L as marketing experts

Taiex Eco-Label Workshop Bucharest, March 08 Development of Eco-labels in Austria  1980`s: many private or regional (tourism) labels  1990 Austrian Eco-label for products  1992 European Eco-label for products  1996: Austrian Eco-label for tourism enterprises  2002 Austrian Eco-label for Schools  2003 EU Eco-label for tourism  2005 EU Eco-label for campsites  2008 Austrian Eco-label for travel packages

Taiex Eco-Label Workshop Bucharest, March 08 Main aims in the tourism sector  Ecological positioning of the tourism sector  Reduction of negative environmental impact  promotion of ecological procurement  support of regional economy

Taiex Eco-Label Workshop Bucharest, March 08 Development in Austria

Taiex Eco-Label Workshop Bucharest, March 08 Harmonization with EU-Flower  Intention of Austrian CB to harmonize is high „harmonize where possible and useful“  Austrian „Eco-label Advisory Board“ agreed to the suggestion of harmonization  Target – both eco-labels with one audit  Revision of Austrian Tourism Criteria 2004 harmonized

Taiex Eco-Label Workshop Bucharest, March 08 Comparison EU flower- Austrian tourism Eco-label Accommodation Service private accommodation Alpine mountain huts Camp site service Campsites Restaurants (Catering establishments) Travel Packages

Taiex Eco-Label Workshop Bucharest, March 08  Contact with Ministry or VKI  Application documents and Eco-Check  Meet open requirements of criteria  Information and counselling by specially trained consultants Steps towards certification 1

Taiex Eco-Label Workshop Bucharest, March 08 Steps towards certification 2 Verification by independent auditors Payment of application fee Contract and certification by Ministry of environment Official award ceremony Right to use the label for marketing

Taiex Eco-Label Workshop Bucharest, March 08 Cost Structure  Consulting costs (optional)  Audit costs for verification  Application and annual fee  Subsidies are possible

Taiex Eco-Label Workshop Bucharest, March 08 Financial Support and Subsidies  specific Subsidies for Eco-label consulting services  Increased subsidy rate for Eco-label Enterprises for special investments investments

Taiex Eco-Label Workshop Bucharest, March 08 Examples for costs in Austria Type of enterprise Application fee Verification fee Annual licence fee Micro Enterprise (< 10 employees; <10 Mio.€ turnover) 75,- € ~1 day rate Appr. 600,€ min. 100,- € SME ( empl. <50 Mio.€ turnover) 225,- € ~1 day rate Appr. 600,€ min. 375,- € Normal Enterprises 300,- € ~1 day rate Appr. 600,€ min. 500,- €

Taiex Eco-Label Workshop Bucharest, March 08 Annual fee  Calculation: 0,15 % of turnover*/year (*= Price of accommodation x No. of stays minus 50%)  Reductions: - 25 % for SME´s - 15 % for EMAS or ISO % for users of a national Eco-label (e.g. Austrian Eco- label)  max. 50% reduction possible!  Min. 100,- € each year

Taiex Eco-Label Workshop Bucharest, March 08 Technical Support in Austria  Electronic Application form and Software  AWK-plus Tourism: Example for waste-concept „plus“  Environmental Data Controlling- Software: recording tool for costs and consumption  „TourBench“ ww.tourbench.info Online-Benchmarking Tool

Taiex Eco-Label Workshop Bucharest, March 08 Thank you for your attention !