Belgian supermarket chain Colruyt is expanding the Eco-Score, a label that shows a product’s impact on the climate, to A-brands. The expansion comes after the retailer did a similar job on 2,500 of its own private label products.
Data
In order to calculate the environmental impact of external brands’ products, Colruyt has asked the respective producers for a number of data. Hundreds of suppliers have already given the necessary information, enabling the chain to publish Eco-Scores for external brands as well as of next January.
At first, customers will have to scan the product’s bar code; however, Colruyt hopes that the manufacturers will include the label on their packaging. Meanwhile, Colruyt is expanding the number of its private label products that display the Eco-Score on its packaging, extending it to its cereals, coffee, cheese and prepared meat products.
Own accents
The Eco-Score Colruyt is using, is largely based on Agribalyse’s database of 2,500 product categories. “Moreover, we have added or deducted points for the production method and impact on biodiversity, Colruyt’s Stefan Goethaert told Belgian newspaper De Standaard. “By better informing the consumers, they can make a more deliberate choice in what (not) to buy and what kind of contribution they want to make to a better environment.”
This summer, Lidl was the second retailer to introduce the Eco-Score in Belgium, Carrefour has plans to be the third. In France, the latter has already introduced the Eco-Score label.
