Green Mark

1. Identify the applicable standard: Visit the Green Mark official website (greenliving.epa.gov.tw) and identify the product category standard (there are over 100 category-specific criteria documents) that applies to your product.

1. Review the criteria: Download and carefully review the relevant Green Mark standard for your product category. Standards cover environmental performance thresholds, material restrictions, recyclability requirements, and labeling rules.

1. Conduct a self-assessment: Evaluate your product against all criteria. Identify any gaps in performance or documentation that need to be addressed before applying.

1. Prepare documentation: Gather required evidence including product test reports from accredited laboratories, material safety data sheets, manufacturing process descriptions, and any relevant environmental performance data.

1. Submit the application: Complete the application form and submit it along with all supporting documentation and the application fee to the Environment and Development Foundation (EDF).

1. Undergo EDF review: EDF conducts a second-party review of your submitted documentation. They may request additional information or clarification during this process.

1. Receive certification decision: If your product meets all criteria, EDF issues the Green Mark certificate and you are authorized to use the Green Mark label on your product and packaging.

1. Maintain certification: Use the Green Mark label in accordance with usage guidelines. Plan to reapply before the two-year certification period expires to maintain your certified status.

Green Mark evaluates products against category-specific environmental criteria developed for over 100 product types. The assessment framework generally covers four core dimensions:

Environmental Performance: Products must meet quantitative thresholds for environmental impact reduction, including energy efficiency, reduced use of hazardous substances, lower emissions during use, and end-of-life recyclability. Specific thresholds vary by product category — for example, electronics may be assessed on energy consumption and restricted substances, while cleaning products are evaluated on biodegradability and packaging.

Material and Chemical Restrictions: Products must demonstrate compliance with restrictions on hazardous materials such as heavy metals, certain solvents, and persistent organic pollutants. Material declarations and test reports from accredited laboratories are typically required to substantiate these claims.

Resource Conservation and Recyclability: Criteria assess whether products are designed to minimize resource consumption, use recycled content where applicable, and are designed for disassembly or recycling at end of life. Packaging requirements may also be included.

Manufacturing and Supply Chain Practices: Some category standards include requirements related to the manufacturing process, such as wastewater treatment, air emissions controls, or energy management at the production facility. Documentation of these practices may be required as part of the application.

Green Mark is Taiwan's primary and most recognized eco-label, operating since 1992 under the auspices of the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration (EPA). It is deeply embedded in Taiwan's public procurement system — government agencies are required or strongly encouraged to purchase Green Mark certified products under Taiwan's Government Procurement Act and related green purchasing policies. This institutional backing gives the label significant market leverage within Taiwan, particularly for manufacturers supplying to the public sector.

The label covers a broad range of product categories — from electronics and office supplies to cleaning products, furniture, and construction materials — making it relevant across much of Taiwan's manufacturing sector. With thousands of certified products across hundreds of manufacturers, Green Mark has achieved meaningful market penetration domestically. The label is well-recognized by Taiwanese consumers and institutional buyers, though its recognition outside of Taiwan is limited compared to internationally prominent eco-labels such as the EU Ecolabel, Blue Angel, or Nordic Swan.

Globally, the label is a member of the Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN), which provides some degree of mutual recognition and credibility with other national eco-label programs. However, Taiwanese manufacturers seeking to enter European or North American markets typically need to pursue additional certifications. Demand for Green Mark certification is expected to remain stable or grow modestly as Taiwan continues to strengthen its green procurement policies and as ESG reporting requirements increase pressure on manufacturers to demonstrate environmental credentials.

Green Mark was established in 1992 by Taiwan's Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) as Taiwan's first official eco-label program, making it one of the earlier national eco-label programs in Asia. It was created in response to growing environmental awareness and the need for a credible, government-backed mechanism to help consumers and institutional buyers identify environmentally preferable products. The program drew inspiration from pioneering eco-label programs such as Germany's Blue Angel (established 1978) and was designed to address Taiwan-specific environmental priorities including waste reduction, pollution control, and resource conservation.

Administration of the program was delegated to the Environment and Development Foundation (EDF), a nonprofit organization, which manages the day-to-day operations of the certification program including standard development, application review, and label licensing. Over the decades, the program has expanded from a handful of product categories to over 100 category-specific standards, reflecting the growing breadth of environmentally significant consumer and industrial products. Green Mark became a founding or early member of the Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN), connecting it to a worldwide community of Type I eco-label programs and lending it additional international credibility. The program has been periodically updated to align with evolving environmental science and international best practices.