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How Eco-Labelling Influences Environmentally Conscious Consumption of Construction Products

Author

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  • Mariia Rochikashvili

    (International Management of Resources and Environment, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, 09599 Freiberg, Germany)

  • Jan C. Bongaerts

    (International Management of Resources and Environment, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, 09599 Freiberg, Germany)

Abstract

Interior wall paints and coatings may evaporate hazardous emissions such as volatile organic compound and formaldehyde. Hence, for these products, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) with information about toxicological and environmental properties and on safe handling practices must be handed out to professional users. However, this obligation does not include end-users which places them at risk. In order to provide a service to the end-users, some German manufacturers issue an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). An EPD is a certificate for a construction product that is based on its Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). This paper investigates potential solutions to direct end-users’ awareness of environmental and health effects of the products they purchase. Therefore, two questionnaire surveys are held on several trade fairs for construction products in Germany. On the one hand, the first survey targets visitors of these trade fairs, i.e., average consumers, or end-users of construction products. On the other hand, the second survey targets participants of these trade fairs that include manufacturers of indoor paints and varnishes as well as companies who use painting pigments in their manufacturing process, e.g., carpet floors and ceramics. The objectives of these surveys were to learn experts’ opinions on the transfer of relevant data, i.e., about health and environmental effects their products might cause, to end-users and compare them to those of the end-users. One of the outcomes of the survey shows that, according to the experts’ survey participants, Environmental Product Declarations are of main interest to make LCAs transparent. Moreover, the paper investigates the perception of one of the most broadly known eco-labels in Germany, the Blue Angel eco-label, by the average consumers.

Suggested Citation

  • Mariia Rochikashvili & Jan C. Bongaerts, 2018. "How Eco-Labelling Influences Environmentally Conscious Consumption of Construction Products," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-23, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:2:p:351-:d:129429
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Izquierdo, Segismundo S. & Izquierdo, Luis R., 2007. "The impact of quality uncertainty without asymmetric information on market efficiency," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 60(8), pages 858-867, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bon-Gang Hwang & Ming Shan, 2018. "Management Strategies and Innovations: Important Roles to Sustainable Construction," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-3, February.
    2. Svetlana Ratner & Konstantin Gomonov & Svetlana Revinova & Inna Lazanyuk, 2021. "Ecolabeling as a Policy Instrument for More Sustainable Development: The Evidence of Supply and Demand Interactions from Russia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-21, August.
    3. Mihaela Kardos & Manuela Rozalia Gabor & Nicoleta Cristache, 2019. "Green Marketing’s Roles in Sustainability and Ecopreneurship. Case Study: Green Packaging’s Impact on Romanian Young Consumers’ Environmental Responsibility," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-12, February.
    4. Tamara Vlastelica & Milica Kostić-Stanković & Tamara Rajić & Jelena Krstić & Tijana Obradović, 2023. "Determinants of Young Adult Consumers’ Environmentally and Socially Responsible Apparel Consumption," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-18, January.
    5. Muhammad Salman Shabbir & Mohammed Ali Bait Ali Sulaiman & Nabil Hasan Al-Kumaim & Arshad Mahmood & Mazhar Abbas, 2020. "Green Marketing Approaches and Their Impact on Consumer Behavior towards the Environment—A Study from the UAE," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-13, October.
    6. Mariia Hess & Jan C. Bongaerts, 2020. "Differences in Perception of the Environmental and Health Impacts of Decorative Paints among Average Consumers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-11, June.

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