Bhutan reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability with the launch of the Bhutan Green Label, an innovative programme developed by the Bhutan Standards Bureau (BSB) and the Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (CCAA), under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Employment (MoICE). This initiative has been made possible through the support of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) of Germany, and the Kingdom of Thailand, as part of the Proliferation of Sustainable Consumption and Production in Asia – the Next Five (SCP Outreach) project, implemented by GIZ.

As part of this project, various capacity-building activities were conducted, including training on scheme development, ISO 14024, criteria formulation, and peer learning exchanges with Thailand. This pioneering ecolabel is awarded to products that meet stringent eco-friendly production standards, starting with Cement and Thermo-Mechanically Treated (TMT) Rebars. The launch event, held at the Ariya Hotel in Thimphu, was attended by Lyonpo Namgyal Dorji, Honourable Minister of the MoICE, and Dr Ulf Jaeckel, Head of European and International Adaptation to Climate Change at BMUV.

Lyonpo Namgyal Dorji emphasised the importance of transitioning to environmentally friendly technologies and practices, noting that this shift not only benefits the environment but also makes good economic sense for businesses: “This initiative will foster a culture of sustainability where businesses thrive, consumers are well-informed, and communities benefit from a healthier environment.”

Dr Ulf Jaeckel, representing BMUV, commended the Bhutanese government’s efforts in establishing the ecolabel scheme, highlighting Bhutan’s pioneering role as one of the first countries to commit to carbon neutrality: “The launch of this ecolabel is a concrete step towards achieving Bhutan’s sustainability goals.”

By adhering to the ISO 14024 standard, the Bhutan Green Label ensures that products are assessed based on rigorous environmental and functional criteria, enhancing transparency and credibility. This will likely encourage businesses to adopt greener practices while giving consumers confidence in making environmentally responsible choices.