Norppa

Website:

www.ekoenergia.info

Relevance:

For green electricity, heat produced from renewable energy sources and qualified energy services there is one label in Finland.
The "Norppa recommends eco-energy" (Norppa) is a label granted by the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation for energy produced using renewable sources of energy or energy service supporting energy efficiency or use of renewable energy sources.

Target:

The primary objective of the Norppa-labelling system is to increase the sustainability of energy consumption and to improve public awareness of the environmental impact of energy production.

Product/service group:

Heat or electricity entitled to the Norppa-labelling is produced with solar or wind energy, wood or other biofuel. There is a set of criteria for the sources and supply of the biofuel to make sure that the production is based on ecologically acceptable methods. Hydro power can also be considered eligible if the production fulfils certain conditions. Norppa-labelling can be applied also for energy services.

Awarding Institution & criteria:

The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation awards the right to use Norppa labelling.
The awarded company have to show its commitment, not only in producing or using energy in an ecologically acceptable way but also in taking energy efficiency into account in its policy.

Control mechanisms:

The company in the labelling system is committed to bookkeeping, where the data required for the labelling system can be checked, and to providing the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation with documentation of its environmental policy, including the annual report, environmental report, consumer information material. The material has to be verified by an authorised auditor.
The use of the additional income from selling Norppa-energy or services has to be reported to the Association, as well.  

Relevance on the market:

Eco-energy labelled with Norppa was introduced in 1998 linked to the process of the opening energy market. Equal labelling is used In Sweden and Norway.