A. Relevance and sustainability context
A.1 Policy relevance
The indicator measures the market share of products with voluntary or mandatory eco-labels. This only includes market shares of products with eco-labelling that sets stringent sustainability standards. Up to now, only state-regulated eco-labelling has been considered. The indicator shows whether these labels successfully shift markets toward sustainable products. It validates policy investments in certification schemes and identifies where stronger interventions are needed. It feeds into the Deutsche Nachhaltigkeitsstrategie and SDG 12 monitoring.
A.2 Sustainability and / or comparative evaluation options
To further contextualize the indicator, complementary benchmarks are needed, e.g. total consumer spending across all product categories, the bioeconomy's contribution to GDP.
B. Data availability
B.1 Stage of development
The indicator is maintained by the Kompetenzzentrum Nachhaltiger Konsum at the Umweltbundesamt as part of long-term monitoring initiatives. It is integrated into the Deutsche Nachhaltigkeitsstrategie and SDG 12 reporting.
B.2 Data sources
Kompetenzenzentrum Nachhaltiger Konsum (KNK), UBA
B.3 Coverage over time and replicability
Market share data for state environmental labels exists for approximately 10-15 years, with more comprehensive coverage emerging over the past decade through KNK monitoring activities. Current reporting occurs annually through KNK monitoring reports. Updates typically lag by 12-18 months due to data collection, verification, and publication processes.
B.4 Coverage across scales and sectors; compatibility
The indicator is reported at a national level while regional and international compatibility are limited. The indicator includes sectoral breakdowns for office products, electronics, textiles, and cleaning products.
C. Considerations for operationalization
C.1 Feasibility: Fit for monitoring
The indicator is fit for bioeconomy monitoring with an established methodology and institutional backing.
C.2 Institutions
The Kompetenzzentrum Nachhaltiger Konsum (KNK) is primarily responsible for calculating and presenting indicator data through its Datenmonitor Nachhaltiger Konsum. The Umweltbundesamt itself publishes environmental label statistics.
C.3 Future prospects
The continuation of monitoring is considered likely due to stable institutional embedding through UBA, integration into official government reporting mechanisms, and the establishment of a clear target that reinforces commitment to ongoing monitoring.
C.4 Costs, considerations and reproducibility
Potential costs could include additional data collection and combination with existing monitoring systems.
C.5 Potential for automation
Automation could be feasible provided that the collection and continuous updating of data can be reliably assured.
C.6 Presentation options and breakdown / sub-indicator needs
The indicator is presented as a trend analysis of market shares and well as revenue over time.
C.7 Potential for scenario integration
Currently this indicator is more useful for ongoing policy monitoring than for scenario building.
C.8 Interlinkages and alignment with other monitoring activities
This indicator is mainly used in Germany's own sustainability monitoring. It also connects to broader reporting systems at the UN level (SDG 12 on sustainable consumption), EU level (European Green Deal and Circular Economy goals), and national level (Deutsche Nachhaltigkeitsstrategie)