China launches green buying policy
mongabay.com
December 19, 2006
China’s Ministry of Finance and the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) announced that starting in 2007, the country’s central and provincial governments will prioritize their purchasing of environmentally friendly products and services.
The two agencies released a “green purchasing list” specifying a range of recommended products carrying the “China Environmental Label.” The list includes 859 products in 14 categories.
According to the Ministry of Finance, total government procurement topped 292.7 billion yuan (US$37.2 billion) in 2005 and is expected to reach 300 billion yuan (US$38.3 billion) in 2006.
The “green procurement” policy will be implemented at all levels of government starting in 2008.
This article is based on a news release from the State Environmental Protection Administration.
