Good Environmental Choice Australia Limited

Good Environmental Choice Australia Limited, commonly known by its operating name Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA), is a nonprofit organization based in Australia. It operates as the country's only independent, not-for-profit, multi-sector ecolabelling program.

Background and Mission

GECA was founded with a vision to promote sustainability and environmental responsibility across various sectors in Australia. Since its inception in 2000, the organization has been dedicated to enabling architects, specifiers, procurement professionals, and consumers to make environmentally sound choices for their clients and the environment. GECA's primary goal is to facilitate a sustainable future for people and the planet by providing a trusted ecolabel program.

Ecolabelling Program

GECA's ecolabelling scheme is designed to certify products and services that meet rigorous environmental and social standards. The certification process involves independent auditing by JAS-ANZ accredited conformance assessment bodies (CABs) and adheres to global best practices outlined in ISO 14024. This ensures that certified products have a lower impact on the environment and human health. Over 2,500 products have been certified under the GECA scheme, making it one of the most extensive programs of its kind in Australia.

Industry Reach and Categories

The GECA ecolabel applies to a wide range of product categories, including:

• Appliances
• Building Products
• Carbon
• Cleaning Products
• Cosmetics / Personal Care
• Electronics
• Forest Products / Paper
• Furniture
• Packaging
• Textiles
• Waste Management & Recycling

This broad scope allows consumers and businesses to choose environmentally friendly options across multiple industries.

Global Recognition and Membership

GECA is the only Australian member of the Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN), a prestigious network of the world's most credible ecolabelling schemes. GECA also holds membership in the International Social and Environmental Accreditation and Labelling Alliance (ISEAL).

Certification Process

The certification process involves applicants demonstrating compliance with GECA's standards, which are developed based on ISO 14024 principles. Independent third-party auditors verify compliance, ensuring that only products and services that meet rigorous environmental standards can bear the GECA ecolabel.

Impact and Benefits

By promoting sustainable products and services, GECA helps businesses gain recognition for their commitment to environmental responsibility. This recognition opens new market opportunities and enhances credibility with environmental-conscious consumers and specifiers. The organization has been instrumental in driving collaborative efforts towards sustainability milestones in Australia, fostering a culture of environmental stewardship across industries.

Status and Achievements

Good Environmental Choice Australia Limited is recognized as a Certified B Corporation, a designation awarded to businesses that meet high standards of environmental and social responsibility. GECA has been certified since November 2015 and operates with a strong commitment to transparency and public benefit.

[1] https://geca.eco [2] https://geca.eco/about-us/ [3] https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/find-a-b-corp/company/good-environmental-choice-australia-geca/ [4] https://www.ecolabelindex.com/ecolabel/good-environmental-choice-australia [5] https://www.iscouncil.org/our-member/good-environmental-choice-australia-geca/