Bonn, March 08, 2017. A study by BEUC, the umbrella organization of European consumer organizations, on green electricity markets in Europe found that over 15 million households now purchase green electricity. However, many supposedly "green" tariffs neither deliver real green electricity nor lead to an expansion of renewable energies. Consumers can thus also rely on only a few green electricity labels. In Germany, the Grüner Strom label achieves the best result according to BEUC.

"A key finding of the study is that there are glaring differences in the quality of seals of approval for green electricity," explains Rosa Hemmers, chairwoman of Grüner Strom Label e.V. "A green electricity label can only offer consumers guidance if it applies demanding testing standards that are tailored to the national market."

In the study published in January 2017, BEUC examined twelve green electricity labels in Europe based on five criteria:

• Ensure transparency: A green electricity label and its criteria and decision-making processes should be independent, transparent and understandable.
• Coupling of electricity quantity and origin: Guarantees of origin and electricity volumes are to come from the same eco-power plant.
• Establish environmental requirements for green power plants: Existing energy generation and the construction of new renewable energy plants should be as environmentally compatible as possible.
• Eliminate fossil fuel generation: The overall activities of the suppliers with regard to electricity production from fossil fuels will also be considered.
• Guarantee additional benefits: A green electricity label should not only look at the origin of green electricity, but also demonstrably promote the expansion of renewable energies.
  
  

The study showed: The Green Electricity Label is the only green electricity label on the German electricity market to meet all five criteria to our complete satisfaction. The core of the Green Electricity certification model is that for every kilowatt hour of green electricity consumed, a fixed subsidy amount is invested in nature-friendly renewable energy plants such as wind or solar power plants.

The European consumer organization thus joins the list of independent market observers who repeatedly confirm the high quality standards of the Green Electricity label. For example, the Lower Saxony consumer advice center, which in a detailed market check gave only the Green Electricity label the top rating of 'highly recommended'. The recognized shopping guides ÖKO-TEST and Nachhaltiger Warenkorb also come to similar conclusions.

About Grüner Strom Label e.V.
The Grüner Strom Label e.V. certifies green energy products. The association awards two seals of approval for this purpose: the Green Electricity Label for green electricity with added value and the Green Gas Label for environmentally compatible biogas. The association is backed by seven non-profit environmental and consumer associations and peace organizations. The Green Electricity and Green Gas labels are the only quality seals for green electricity and biogas in Germany that are supported by leading environmental associations.