|
updated : September 18, 2009
NewI Announcement for "Carbon Footprint International Workshop"
Japan's Carbon Footprint Activities
Japan has started its Carbon Footprint of Product (hereafter, referred to as "CFP") activities since 2008 and has been actively engaged in international standardization activities as a member of ISO/TC207/SC7/WG2. In the meantime, with high social awareness of green house gas (GHG) emissions in Japan, various domestic activities have been actively conducted including trial / pilot project for establishment of CFP program and study of its impact on a variety of stakeholders.
Below are the brief summary of Japan's key activities in 2008 and our future project/activities from 2009:
1. Background and Japan's CFP-related historical activities
Japan's key activities related to CFP are as follows:
| Timeline |
Activities |
| June 2008 |
The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trading and Industry launched
"The Working Group (WG) for study & development of guideline of GHG emission calculation, communication methods and other schemes (such as verification) of CFP".
The guideline that the WG drew up was given approval to be issued as Japanese Technical Specification by JISC (Japanese Industrial Standards Committee). |
| December 2008 |
Test samples carrying a carbon footprint label were displayed at "Eco-Products Exhibition 2008", one of the largest environmental exhibitions with 175,000 guests and 750 exhibiting companies. A total of 54 products such as foods, stationary and commodities from approximately 30 corporations were displayed, each carrying a uniform CFP logo. |
| January 2009 |
First draft version of Japan's "Technical Specification (TS Q0010); General principles for the assessment and labeling of Carbon Footprint of Products " was produced and distributed to the experts of ISO/TC207/SC7/WG2 at the Malaysia meeting in January 2009. The official document (TS Q 0010) was issued domestically in April 2009 |
| April 2009 |
Commencement of "Japan's 3 years National Pilot Project of CFP"
| - |
Development of pilot PCRs |
| - |
Study of Verification Scheme |
| - |
Development of Data Base |
|
| June 2009 |
Program operator of Pilot Project, JEMAI (The Japan Environmental Management Association for Industry) invites applications for development of Product Category Rules (PCR) under pilot project program.
Registration opened in June and 41 items (products including services) have been registered (as of September).
The covered sectors are the followings:
<food & beverage / material / containers & packaging / chemicals / printing / furniture / clothing / stationery / electric devices / service>
List of the registered items for PCR developments
|
| September 2009 |
| - |
CFP-Japan Forum has been established. |
The objectives of this private-sector driven forum are:
- fostering relations of mutual trust among all the interested stakeholders in their CFP activities
- establishing low-carbon supply chains with participation of all the relevant parties
- advocating low-carbon consumption
- promoting CFP's practical application
Researches, PR activities and training courses will be implemented under this scheme widely involving industrial, governmental and academic sectors as well as consumers.
| - |
Seminar on CFP was held in Tokyo. |
The first seminar was held with the participation of approximately 600 of audience.
It consisted of 2 parts: 1.lecture on CFP and Pilot Project and 2.panel discussion. Other seminars will be held in other major cities in Japan with the aim of introducing Pilot Project and realizing the low-carbon society through it.
| - |
PCR of 3 items have been certified. |
Among the registered items for PCR development, 3 PCRs have been certified by PCR Committee*1 after reflecting opinions from the public and PCR reviewers.
List of certified PCR
(*1 PCR committee consists of academic experts, persons from industrial sector and consumers. PCR (certification and abolition) and CFP (quantification and communication) are evaluated in this committee.
) |
| In the near future |
| - |
The first version of TS Q 0010 will be revised in order to introduce detailed requirements for developing PCRs. |
"The Second Version of Technical Specification (TS Q 0010 - Ver2); General principles for the assessment and labeling of Carbon Footprint of Products" is to be issued shortly by JISC.
| - |
Seminars on CFP will be held in several major cities in Japan in October. |
|
2. The framework of Japan's National Pilot Project of CFP: TS Q0010 - Characteristics of Japanese CFP related Technical Specification
TS Q0010 is developed in line with existing ISO international standards, ISO14040 series & ISO14025.
Further information on the development of TS and Japanese CFP Pilot Project based on it.
3. Future activities and pilot projects from 2009
From April 2009 to March 2010, following activities are planned as National Pilot Project:
| - |
Active involvement in ISO/TC207/SC7/WG2 activities; |
| - |
PCR development and CFP verification as trial basis |
| - |
Further discussion on third-party certification scheme; |
| - |
Implementation of survey on corporate awareness and consumers' acceptability of CFP |
| - |
Revision of Technical Specification (TS Q0010-Ver2) based on outcomes from trial project |
4. Related materials (PDF file)
5. Related links
http://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/data/nBackIssue20080617_02.html
http://www.jemai.or.jp/english/ecoleaf/outline.cfm
http://www.jemai.or.jp/english/lca/index.cfm
6. Contact
|
@ |
