ecolabelling.org hits 200 with Debio’s Ø-label
We break 200 with Debio, an exemplary ecolabel.

We just uploaded our 200th label (high five)! Though we still see this site as a work in progress it is a good feeling to have a decent amount of content on here.

Debio is an interesting label primarily because of its history. In the mid 1980’s two competing organic schemes, Demeter and the Norwegian Organic Farming Association, took the bold step of cooperating to form a common standard: Debio.

This is the ONLY example of two labels merging in the interests of cooperation and the consumer we have found globally so far from our research on at least 200 labels.

This initial collaboration established a collaborative culture that has continued to bear fruit (no pun intended) for Debio. They were able to successfully integrate Norwegian government and EU organic standards, as well as IFOAM global standards as these developed over time.

This spirit of adaptation and cooperation drove excellent growth: In 1986, 19 farms were inspected and processed for certification. In 2005, this figure had grown to 2496 farms. That’s over 13,000% growth in less than 20 years. If only they sold shares. Debio is now expanding into textiles, forestry and aquaculture.

Canada, in contrast, recently passed legislation enacting a national eco-label (only after pressure from the EU) but the label is voluntary. That means consumers in Canada still have a host of labels to decipher and all of the other labels continue to exist and compete for consumer attention. So much for economies of scale.

In comparison to the Canadian approach and based on our global research we feel Debio is real model for this industry and hope other ecolabels around the world will take their lesson in the power of cooperation to heart. Well done you crazy Vikings!

Tags: news, standards
Posted by Jacob on Wednesday, October 31st, 2007 | Permalink |

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