Latest News

 Scheme | Why? | Approach | Values | Development | Timeline | Progress | Product Issues | Questionnaire

How the LOFAmark scheme is being developed

The scheme is being developed using the principles of Product Roadmapping and life cycle analysis.  This approach reviews the entire ‘story’ of a product, from sourcing of raw materials, through production, retailing, to usage and disposal.  The major environmental or ethical issues associated with each product are identified, and the single primary one selected.

Based on the guidance of Dr. Alan Knight, a leading environmental impact expert, we have identified the candidates for the major environmental or ethical issue that applies to each type of product.   We are now working with a range of experts and organisations to identify the standards that will apply to these products.  However we are also consulting widely to gather views on which issues and standards the scheme should incorporate.  This consultation will include LOFA members, environmental organisations, government bodies, industry bodies, retailers and interested members of the public.

Once the final design of the scheme has been settled, we will develop a straightforward and practical method that LOFA members can use to allocate their products into the appropriate category within the scheme.  We will also develop a system to enable adherence to the scheme to be checked.

We anticipate that some environmental issues associated with our products do not currently have a practical solution.  In such cases we will be looking to partner with other concerned organisations to press for, or help develop, new solutions.

The final component of the scheme will be the design of a product label for the scheme, material for members to use in their own publicity, and a consumer publicity campaign for the scheme.