BASF Releases SELECT Eco-Label Manager

FLORHAM PARK, N.J.BASF Corp. launched its SELECT (Sustainability, Eco-Labeling and Environmental Certification Tracking) Eco-Label Manager, a database created to strategically manage the abundance of eco-labels, environmental claims, directories and ratings systems by allowing the user to search, analyze and compare these programs.

SELECT includes 100 programs for review, primarily associated with North America, but is continuing to add programs from all regions globally. Examples include Built Green Canada, a residential construction checklist and energy rating system; USGBC LEED® programs; and the Green Guides, a set of guidelines established by the Federal Trade Commission to help manufacturers make clear and substantiated marketing claims.

"The demand for environmentally preferable products is rapidly evolving and influencing purchasing decisions along entire supply chains," said Pat Meyer, senior product steward and program leader at BASF. These purchasing requirements have spawned hundreds of eco-labels and programs from the federal government, large retailers, trade associations and third-party organizations, leading to a lot of confusion."

As a result, many businesses are spending considerable time and resources trying to understand and manage these classifications. The BASF SELECT Eco-Label Manager tool is designed to simplify and streamline these efforts," Meyer said.

Currently, the tool is available to all BASF employees and preferred BASF customers and stakeholders.

BASF is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has approximately 16,000 employees in North America, and had sales of $13 billion in 2009. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals and oil and gas. BASF SE posted sales of more than 50 billion in 2009 and had approximately 105,000 employees as of the end of the year.