Coop relies on the Eco-Score for private labels
The retailer Coop relies on the voluntary food labeling of Beelong. This provides transparent information about the environmental impact of a product and is intended to help customers when shopping.
The Eco-Score scale ranges from A+ for the least environmental impact to E- for the greatest environmental impact. The rating is based on the latest scientific data and on the information available about the food in question.
The Eco-Score takes into account the main product impacts on the environment, such as CO2-footprint, water consumption or land use. The existing labels, the origin of the ingredients, the distances traveled and the modes of transport also have an influence on the result.
All products are rated on the same scale regardless of their category. This is to allow comparison of similar products with each other as well as comparison of different product categories.
Promoting sustainable consumption with transparency
"The Eco-Score provides customers with transparent and comprehensive information about the environmental impact of a food product," explains Andrea Kramer, Head of Marketing/Procurement at Coop. "The ecological rating serves as an uncomplicated aid and orientation when shopping." At the same time, she says, the Eco-Score guides people to eat as sustainably as possible. The retailer itself wants to consistently improve its products as part of the implementation of its sustainability strategy.
On Coop.ch, more than 2,000 private label products are already marked with the Eco-Score. According to Coop, further ratings of private label products will follow on an ongoing basis. These will be available on Coop.ch and subsequently on the packaging. In the coming years, the retailer intends to evaluate all private label products in the food sector with the Eco-Score.
Independent calculation of the Eco-Score
The Eco-Score is calculated by Beelong, based in Lausanne. The company controls the quality of the information and ensures that the latest data is used. The methodology is continuously developed and the scores are updated taking into account changing product information.