There is not only the Made in Italy, a symbol of quality and tradition of Italian manufacturing. Today there is a new brand, the “Made Green in Italy”, a certification that attests to the compliance with high environmental standards in production processes, especially in the food sector. Although still little known by consumers, this sticker is becoming a strategic target for many companies, who aim to get it to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability.
A concrete example comes from the dairy sector, where the main producers are competing for the primacy in adopting this certification, making it a real distinctive element on the packaging of their products. The Asiago Consortium, for example, recently declared itself to be the first PDO cheese to obtain the “Made Green in Italy” label. However, there were some concerns in the sector about the completeness of the certification process.
How do you get certified?
Getting the “Made Green in Italy” sticker is not a simple process. Carlo Proserpio, a lecturer at the Politecnico di Milano and coordinator of environmental certification projects in the agro-food sectors, underlines the complexity of the process: “The basic criteria are 16, but for each product only the three most significant impact indicators, such as climate change, water consumption and land use, are assessed”.
The process involves several steps, from initial request to verification of requirements up to certification. Once the label is awarded, it is placed on the MASE list and can be displayed on products, accompanied by a QR code that gives consumers access to detailed information about the product’s sustainability.
The growing interest of companies in this certification is a positive sign, according to the expert, as it shows greater attention to sustainability and transparency towards the consumer.
A brand with European roots
Although “Made Green in Italy” is emerging only now as a distinctive element, its origin dates back to 2015, when it was established by decree, then regulated in 2018. The initiative is based on the 2013 European Commission recommendation and is based on the PEF (Product Environmental Footprint) method, an updated parameter in 2021 to meet the latest scientific standards.
Membership of the system is voluntary, which means that companies can choose to certify only if they meet the requirements. The label is therefore a national tool for assessing and communicating the environmental footprint, a kind of “ecological signature” that identifies products with low environmental impact.
As indicated by the Ministry, the objective of “Made Green in Italy” is to enhance Italian excellence with high environmental performance, offering consumers a clear reference for more informed purchasing choices. The logo, composed of a five-pointed star enclosed in a broken circle, is destined to become more and more recognizable, helping Italian products to distinguish themselves also for their commitment to protecting the environment.
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