This past year, Eco Choice Aotearoa has made significant strides in updating its systems and processes to increase productivity, enhance data security, and improve customer experience. Here are some of the key milestones we’re particularly proud of:
Performance overview
- 60% increase in certified partners
- 90% retention of existing partners
- 1,600 certified products and services
- $1.9B combined value of certified offerings
Strengthening our organisation
To support our growth, we’ve also welcomed three highly skilled professionals to our team.
Head of Standards, Dr. Andrea Edwards, alongside our newly formed Technical Advisory Panel, is ensuring our product and service standards continue to reflect international best practice. Head of Assurance and Client Services, Alex Eddington, is dedicated to ensuring our programme’s integrity and Ecolabel Partners have the support they need to succeed. And Engagement Manager, Prasanna Nara, is focused on clearly communicating our value proposition and building brand awareness among key audiences.
Advancing our standards
This year, Eco Choice undertook a major update of several standards, led by our Head of Standards, Dr Andrea Edwards. This work ensured continued alignment with the Green Star rating system, a key market driver for our ecolabel, and enabled Eco Choice to deliver Best Practice scores across six categories.
These updates reinforce our commitment to maintaining rigorous, internationally aligned criteria.
- EC-25 Building Insulants went from a score of 7 to 16
- EC-41 Flat & Longs Steel went from 7 to 16
- EC-57 Pre Painted, Resin Coated Metal Products went from 11 to 16
- EC-32 Furniture, Fittings & Flooring went from 7 to 15
- EC-07 Paints & Sealants went from 7 to 16
- EC-19 Plaster & Plasterboard went from 7 to 14
Partnerships and collaborations
Eco Choice continued to deepen collaboration with organisations across Aotearoa and internationally, including:
- Go Well Consulting, Sustainable Business Network, The Repair Network and others in supporting and crafting the submission on Right to Repair.
- New cooperation agreements with CII GreenPro India and China Environmental United Certification Centre (CEC), enhancing knowledge sharing, mutual recognition pathways, and sustainable trade.
- Dual certification pathway with GECA, enabling manufacturers to demonstrate sustainability leadership across the Tasman.
- Our affiliation with TCO Development, strengthening international alignment on IT sustainability and responsible supply chains.
These partnerships extend Eco Choice’s reach, support innovation across sectors, and enhance the global recognition of certified New Zealand products.
Strategic Direction
Looking ahead, we will relentlessly pursue our strategic goals including expanding market relevance in key sectors and maximising environmental impact through regular standard revisions.
Our goals through to 2028 include:
- Strengthen Core Operations
- Expand Market Relevance & Sector Engagement
- Deliver Value & Build Trust
- Maximise Environmental Impact & Transparency
Thank you to our Ecolabel Partners
We wish to acknowledge the businesses that have achieved and maintained Eco Choice certification. We recognise that our standards are rigorous by design, and that meeting these requirements demands time, transparency, and ongoing commitment. Your leadership not only drives environmental and social improvements, but also raises the bar for other businesses.
Thank you. We value your collaboration and look forward to supporting your sustainability journey as we work towards a future where the environment, people, and economy can thrive.
