Seminar on application for independent environmental protection green label

**Environmental Label**: The logo of the environmental label, which features "a green leaf encircling a pure, unpolluted Earth," symbolizes the environmental concept of "recyclable, low pollution, and resource-saving." To date, there are 14 major product categories encompassing over 100 product items. The environmental label is issued according to the ISO 14024 guidelines for environmental labeling principles and procedures and is authorized by the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) of the Executive Yuan. It is only awarded to the top 20% to 30% of products with the best environmental performance.

**Today's Speaker**: Mr. Huang Wanhua

**Education**: Graduated from the Department of Food and Nutrition (Food Science) at Fu Jen Catholic University, the Graduate Institute of Food Science and Technology at National Taiwan University, and underwent research and training at the Graduate School of Human Life Science at Osaka City University, Japan. He also completed the Executive Master of Business Administration program at the Department of Accounting, College of Business at Tunghai University, passed the 2013 certification exam for Health Food Engineers, and earned certifications as a Level C Health Manager/Ear Acupuncture Therapist in 2019.

**Current Positions**: Professional lecturer, volunteer lecturer for health and wellness public lectures at the China Youth Corps, volunteer lecturer for health food and wellness courses at the He Pu Agriculture Market, and consultant for the Chinese Professors Association.

The independent application for the environmental label follows the guidelines of the Executive Yuan's EPA for promoting green consumption and environmental products. Environmental products refer to goods or services whose raw material acquisition, production, sales, usage, and disposal comply with characteristics such as reduction, reusability, recyclability, low pollution, energy conservation, resource saving, or environmental friendliness. The classifications are as follows:

- Recyclable products (OA)
- Office supplies
- Cleaning products
- Biodegradable products
- Information technology products
- Organic materials
- Household appliances
- Building materials
- Water-saving products
- Daily necessities
- Energy-saving products
- Industrial products
- Solar energy products
- Service category

Products that meet the EPA’s announced environmental label specifications and standards and have obtained a certificate for using the label are eligible.

Based on the 2014 resolution principles, product categories such as office supplies (OA) (ink pens, ink, digital copiers, office desks, office chairs, electric shredders, copier paper), industrial products, daily necessities, water-saving products, energy-saving products, household appliances, and information technology products are exempt from on-site inspection.

Other products, such as (OA) office supplies (office paper, printed products, paper tapes), recyclable products, cleaning products, biodegradable products, organic materials, building materials, solar energy products, service categories, and secondary environmental label products, must undergo on-site inspection according to the application verification process.

**Taiwan Organic Lifestyle Environmental Education Promotion Association**: This non-profit organization is an academic body founded to promote new knowledge of organic living, with the motto "Toxins in life, organic living, friendly environment, internal environment protection." Members include elementary school teachers, judges, university professors, and doctors who teach environmentally and human-friendly lifestyle knowledge to enhance the ecological relationship between humans and the Earth. The association also conducts farming and organizes courses to advocate for organic living. It was officially established on December 8, 2009. To date, it has conducted over a thousand related courses for government agencies (such as the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hsinchu Tax Bureau), businesses, and over 300 schools (e.g., Yongchun Elementary School, Shijian Junior High School in Taipei), with outstanding results.

Over the past few decades, environmental pollution has severely damaged ecosystems and reduced agricultural productivity, raising concerns about maintaining environmental quality, living standards, and ensuring sustainable living spaces for future generations. There is also a lack of environmental awareness among the public. Therefore, promoting ecological conservation, health, leisure, and organic concepts has become a necessary initiative and a goal for future efforts.