On 23 Dec. 2003, Japan's Ministry of the Environment (MOE) issued a report on green purchasing by national government organizations in FY 2002. Under the Law Concerning the Promotion of Procurement of Eco-Friendly Goods and Services by the State and Other Entities, also known as the Law on Promoting Green Purchasing, the national government and other public entities are requested to procure eco-friendly goods and services that meet certain standards.

According to the report, more than 95 percent of most of the items procured, including items added in 2002, were eco-friendly goods meeting certain criteria. The MOE says that these figures are much higher than those in 2001, and all of the organizations involved deserve credit for their efforts toward proactive and well-planned green purchasing.

Designated procurement items range from office supplies, computers and consumer electronics to automobiles, textiles and even construction materials for public works. In 2002, green procurement rates increased for 68 out of 79 designated items compared to the previous year. Among these, procurement of eco-friendly uniforms showed a remarkable rise of 82.5 percent up from 54 percent the previous year, while procurement of eco-friendly air conditioners reached a rate of 94.8 percent, up 18 percent from the previous year.



Posted: 2004/03/19 08:57:10 PM
Japanese version

TAG Eco-product/Business , Government , System/Law