 Sustainability labelling schemes: the logic of their claims and their functions for stakeholdersJoop de Boer Business Strategy and the Environment, 2003, vol. 12, issue 4, 254-264 Abstract: In this paper the author examines the role of labelling and certification schemes in the pursuit of policies to make production and consumption processes more sustainable. From a logical point of view, labels are conceived as claims put forward by sellers to inform buyers about certain characteristics of their products. In the case of sustainability, labels might identify relevant ‘ideals’ to approach and/or significant ‘ills’ to escape. Toulmin's argumentation theory is used to show how claims can be substantiated and challenged. Based on literature on the behaviour of the main stakeholders, the author discusses what labelling means for producers, consumers, policymakers and other groups in society. In the conclusions, attention is drawn to the way in which societal pressure might interact with market forces to shape the information environment for products and services. As a result, the role of sustainability labels might become more differentiated, varying from direct shopping aids to background quality assurances. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. Date: 2003 Downloads: (external link) Related works: Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:12:y:2003:i:4:p:254-264 Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from Access Statistics for this article Business Strategy and the Environment is currently edited by Richard Welford More articles in Business Strategy and the Environment from Wiley Blackwell |
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