Japan is facing a big challenge in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from residential and operational sectors in the efforts to address global warming. The Carbon Footprint of Products (CFP) system has been getting attention as one of the visualization measures of GHG emissions. The carbon footprint of products (CFP) is calculated as the quantity of CO₂-equivalent GHG emissions from the product’s entire life cycle, from raw material acquisition to disposal or recycling and is displayed on the product.

The “Action Plan for Achieving a Low-carbon Society” was approved by the Cabinet on July 29, 2008. It is stated that “for the guidelines for calculating emissions, ensuring their credibility, and displaying them to be compiled during fiscal 2008, and for the trial implementation to be started in the following fiscal year” in the Action Plan.
In response, METI launched various activities in FY 2008 for the trial implementation of a carbon footprint system in cooperation with related ministries.

1. Establishment of the Basic Rules on the Carbon Footprint of Products System

- Launch Study Group on Rules for Calculation, Labeling and Evaluation of CO₂ (GHG) Emissions

The study group consisting of intellectuals discussed technical issues regarding the institutional design of the CFP system. The study group developed two documents as the basic rules on the CFP system.

2. Promotion of Carbon Footprint of Products System

- Launch Study Group for Development and Promotion of CFP Program

The study group consisting of intellectuals, companies and private organizations discussed issues regarding the practical application and promotion of the CFP system. Companies which participated in the study group exhibited their products with the CFP label on a trial basis at an exhibition called “Eco-Products 2008”

- Deciding the design of CFP Label

Ideas for the CFP label design were invited from the public and selected from the applications.
Link to About CFP Label.

- Exhibition at Eco-Products 2008 on a trial basis

Companies participated in the Study Group for Development and Promotion of CFP Program exhibited their products with the CFP label at “Eco Products-2008” on a trial basis and a survey on consumers’ attitudes toward this program was conducted. In addition to the exhibition, some intellectuals gave lectures at seminars to raise awareness and promote the CFP system.
Link to List of CFP labeled products exhibited at Eco-Products 2008

3. Contribution to Establishing the International Standard

- Establish ISO CFP Mirror Committee

The committee consists of intellectuals, 26 industrial circles, consumer groups, accreditation bodies, certification bodies and government officials discusses and reviews Japanese policies for international standardization based on Japan’s experiences - such as the development of the basic rules on the CFP system - and other various trials, and proactively contributes to the discussions at ISO concerning international standardization of issues related to CFP.

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