As concerns for the environment and green consumerism increase, eco-labelling scheme has been popular as an efficient policy instrument to enhance credibility of green products. In particular, Type Ⅲ eco-labelling is considered to be a powerful policy tool, complementary to Type Ⅰ eco-labelling, providing quantified product information based on life cycle impacts. In line with this trend, Korean Ministry of Environment introduced Type Ⅲ eco-labelling scheme in 2000. However, there is an urgent need for a more integrated and strategic approach to promote firms’ participation. For this aim, this study examines firms’ participation motivation for Type Ⅲ eco-labelling and factors affecting on it.
The main objectives of this study are as follows:
1) What are the relationships between firms’ motivation to participate in Type Ⅲ eco-labelling and the influencing factors?
2) How should Type Ⅲ eco-labelling scheme be designed to increase firms’ participation?
This study identifies 8 variables on firms’ participation motivation for Type Ⅲ eco-labelling and 8 influencing factors in the motivation. Then, a field study is undertaken for 11 Korean firms which participated in the process developing product-specific requirements. Based on their participation motivation and factors affecting on it, the companies are classified into 6 groups and policy recommendations are suggested for each of them. Finally, limitations of this study and further research directions are discussed.
