Eco-labeling criteria setting complicated<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Eco-labeling Agency finds it
\ncomplicated to set workable criteria for forest management but
\nvowed yesterday it would never bow to foreign pressure.<\/p>\n
The chairman of the agency's working group, Emil Salim, said
\nexperts were racing against time to establish the criteria that
\nwould be tested on three forest concessionaires next year.<\/p>\n
\"It is theoretically not that difficult to set the criteria,
\nbut in practice it is complicated,\" Emil told reporters after
\ndiscussing the issue with the House of Representatives (DPR)
\nCommission X overseeing environmental affairs.<\/p>\n
He said the criteria on forest management should be consistent
\nwith the international standard, known as the ISO (International
\nStandard Organization) 1400, which includes environmental
\nconsiderations.<\/p>\n
ISO 1400 surpasses ISO 9000 on product quality.<\/p>\n
The general guidelines on forest management are issued by the
\nInternational Tropical Timber Organization and the Forest
\nStewardship Council. The United Nations Commission on Trade and
\nDevelopment also has issued guidelines on eco-labeling for
\nvarious products, such as leather and shoes, textiles and
\ngarments, pulp and paper, as well as wood and wood products.<\/p>\n
Emil said that the working group also cooperated with foreign
\nexperts to learn about the criteria of forest management in other
\ncountries.<\/p>\n
Emil stressed that this cooperation did not mean that
\nIndonesia would literally follow anything the foreigners said.<\/p>\n
\"We have been taking an active part in the drafting of the
\ncriteria, which are beneficial for the environment and
\ndevelopment,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Emil dismissed the fears that Indonesia will not be able to
\ncompete with other countries due to high economic costs as a
\nresult of the implementation of the eco-labeling system.<\/p>\n
The consumers will not merely view the prices and the quality,
\nbut the life cycle of the products as well, he said.<\/p>\n
The working group was established early this year on the
\ninitiative of Minister of Forestry Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo.
\nThe agency itself will be dedicated next year and will go into
\nfull-fledged operation in 2000.<\/p>\n
The former state minister of environment and population, Emil
\nSalim, assured that the agency would be independent, free from
\nthe influence of the government and businesses.<\/p>\n
Working group<\/p>\n
He said that the working group comprises bright, young
\nscientists and activists, including people from the University of
\nIndonesian, the Institute of Agriculture and the Indonesian
\nConsumers' Protection Agency.<\/p>\n
Emil said that the State Minister for Environment Sarwono
\nKusumaatmadja had also asked the working group to study the
\npossibilities of eco-labeling for non-forestry products.<\/p>\n
\"Along with the consumers' agency and involved government
\noffices, we are working on the criteria for the eco-labeling
\nsystem for non-forestry products,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Emil also said that the working group is compiling guidelines
\nfor the assessment of forest management. He expects them to be
\nfinished soon.<\/p>\n
There are at least two companies interested in the new
\nbusiness: Surveyor Indonesia, and an American firm, Smart Wood,
\nEmil said .<\/p>\n
Emil plans ask President Soeharto to grant permanent
\nreforestation funds to finance the eco-labeling agency. Asked
\nabout the total budget needed, Emil said it was still being
\ncalculated.<\/p>\n
At present, the working group obtains money from reforestation
\nfunds on a non-permanent basis and from the World Bank.<\/p>\n
The reforestation funds currently total around Rp 600 billion
\n(US$277 million). (sim)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/eco-labeling-criteria-setting-complicated-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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