Globally there are over 80 different programmes that aim to encourage good environmental practices and resource management. There are certifications schemes available for almost any industry, not just the tourism industry, so keep an eye out for the products and services that don one of the symbols. In Norway, you are likely to come across the following five major certification programmes:

Norsk Økoturisme

‘Norwegian Ecotourism’ is the official Norwegian ecotourism certification. The programme is run by the Norwegian Tourist Board, ‘Innovation Norway’, the organisation that is responsible for promoting Norway as a tourist destination. The Norwegian ecotourism certification programme imposes very strict requirements on those operators that are certified, including requirements such as complete non-reliance on motorized vehicles.  http://www.grip.no/okoturisme/

Miljøfyrtårnet

The ‘Environmental lighthouse’ is an official Norwegian environmental certification programme for Norwegian businesses. There are different requirements for different industries, but essentially it is a certification programme that is open to any company or organization that wishes to join. In order to become certified, the companies must adhere to a set of requirements, which includes training the company’s staff in environmental practices, an environmental purchasing policy, reduced energy consumption, and annual reporting on the company’s progress by an appointed company environment officer.      www.miljofyrtarn.no/

EU-Blomsten

The EU-Flower is the official European environmental label for products. Most of the ‘EU Flower’ certified products in Norway are textiles, paints and children’s clothing. The Norwegian Ecotourism and the Environmental Lighthouse certifications (above), require their certified companies to have a purchasing policy that prioritizes eco-labelled products such as the EU Flower or the Swan (below). In order to become certified, the products must meet a series of tough, concrete and measurable requirements, and only the best products on the market are awarded the certification.    http://www.ecolabel.no/

Svanemerket  

The ‘Swan Label’ is the official Norwegian environmental label, equivalent to the EU-Flower label, but only available to Norwegian products. It also spans more categories, with certified products ranging from paint, paper and detergents to furniture, hotels and grocery stores. Just like the requirements for the EU-flower, the products must satisfy a series of strict requirements, and is only awarded to the best of the products. http://www.ecolabel.no/

Blått Flagg

The ‘Blue flag’ is the environmental certification for beaches and marinas. It is a global certification scheme that has become a highly recognized and has strict requirements in the areas of environment, safety, service, information and water quality. The qualification must be renewed every year, and over 3200 beaches and marinas in 36 countries around the world are currently certified.    

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