Korea Carbon Footprint Labeling

Introduction

South Korea has developed a carbon labeling scheme for intermediate products and services and a low-carbon product certification scheme, both of which are non-mandatory and voluntarily participated by enterprises. The carbon label certification is divided into three phases, namely carbon emissions certification, low-carbon products certification and carbon neutral products certification. The benefits of applying for a carbon label in South Korea are as follows:

1. Regarded as items of environmental value in the selection evaluation of the bidding system by the Public Procurement Service.

2. Earn up to two extra points added to the G-SEED^[1] when using carbon labeled products.

3. Green card cardholders can earn ECO MONEY points^[2] when practicing low-carbon and eco-friendly consumption, such as energy saving and green products.

4. Small and medium-sized businesses are given 50% of reduction of SME certification fees.

5. Support to SMEs for calculating product carbon emissions.

6. Promote certified products through newsletters, media and exhibitions.

Scope of calculation

Products for certification: agricultural, forestry, fishery and livestock products, as well as medicines and medical equipment are excluded.

Class 1: General products, non-durable goods (e.g., stationery, candy, etc.) and durable goods and services without energy use.

Class 2: Energy using durable goods and products regulated by Energy Using Products (EuP).

*The scope of calculation for Class 1 and Class 2 is different.

Application procedure

Documentation and fees required for certification

Documentation required to apply for certification:

1. Environmental label certification application
2. Environmental label certification application report and documentation
3. Business registration certificate
4. Factory registration certificate
5. SME certification and VAT certification (for SMEs)

Illustration

Actual case

Coca-Cola in South Korea

Product carbon footprint: 347 g CO2-eq/bottle

Raw material: 153g (44.10%)

Manufacturing: 167g (48.13%)

Usage: 0g

Disposal: 26.3g (7.58%)

Sources

1. Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute
2. Actual case: Coca-Cola