Environmentalists criticize regional labels
Published: Wednesday, May 8th 2024, 10:11
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The Swiss like to buy regional products - also out of love for the environment. According to environmentalists, however, regional labels say nothing about the sustainability of the products. Buying regional products primarily supports the local economy.
According to a new survey by Comparis, people who are adapting their consumer behavior due to climate change are trying to buy more locally. In April, 36% of nature lovers said they were consuming more local products than a year ago.
In fact, sales of regional products increased in Switzerland last year. Sales of products with the "regio.garantie" label brought in a good 1.8 billion Swiss francs, as the Swiss Regional Products Association (VSR) recently announced. This represents an increase of 13 percent over the course of the year.
The largest share was accounted for by the business with regionally produced cheese (35%), followed by meat (19%) and fruit and vegetables (16%). However, sales of certified agricultural products also grew strongly.
Aldi, Dallmayr, Coop and Lidl now also included
The number of partners has also grown: in addition to the previous partner Migros with the "From the region. For the region." Aldi Switzerland with "Saveurs Suisses" and Dallmayr with "Enjoy Local" as well as Coop with "Miini Region" and Lidl Switzerland with "Klein aber fein" now also have certified regional products in their range.
The VSR regulations stipulate that at least 80% of the raw materials must come from a "clearly defined region" and that more than two thirds of the value added must come from this region. In addition, the production and processing plants must not be more than 30 kilometers apart.
The brand is thus making "a serious and relevant contribution to a more sustainable society", commented association president Manfred Bötsch on the annual figures.
Labels of origin are not sustainability labels
However, experts take a critical view of this. According to the labelinfo.ch platform, pure origin labels and designations such as "vegan" or "palm oil-free" say little about the sustainability of the products. They conclude that they are therefore not comparable with sustainability labels with detailed guidelines and certification processes.
Damian Oettli, Head of Markets at the environmental protection association WWF, agrees with this when asked by the news agency AWP: "Regional labels say nothing about the sustainability of the labeled products." Consequently, local products are not per se more sustainable than imported goods.
"The decisive factor is the production method," explains Oettli, as well as land consumption and the use of pesticides, water and fertilizers. However, he does not believe that retailers are using the labels as a form of greenwashing.
"Regiolabels confirm and verify the local origin of products. No more and no less," continues Oettli. Indirectly, however, the major distributors are already benefiting from the widespread and often erroneous opinion that regional also means sustainable.
Labels create jobs
VSR President Manfred Bötsch disagrees: the Regiolabel encompasses sustainability - but in a "social and economic dimension". For example, the certifications strengthen the region. According to the association, they create and secure around 70,000 jobs and over 1,000 apprenticeships.
With regard to the "ecological dimension", however, it is up to the producers to decide whether they want to farm according to organic guidelines, for example. This allows the companies to focus on their target group, because: "Not all customers are looking for organic or IPS products or can afford them."
©Keystone/SDA
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