A survey conducted by UL (Underwriters Laboratories) in the United States on product manufacturers and consumers regarding corporate environmental commitments revealed that while 90% of manufacturers believe that corporate environmental policies are becoming increasingly important in their decision-making process, 40% of consumers feel that manufacturers are not doing enough in terms of environmentally friendly production processes or providing environmentally friendly products.
According to UL's survey report, promoting environmental protection strategies during product manufacturing has become a priority for most companies, but consumers still remain skeptical of companies' environmental commitments.
Even so, the survey also showed that in 2012, 45% of consumers were willing to spend more money on environmentally friendly products, while in 2013, that number increased to 68%.
UL has conducted this survey for three consecutive years, hoping to gain a better understanding of the priorities of global manufacturers and consumers in manufacturing, selling, purchasing, and using products. The survey included over 1,500 manufacturers in the United States, Germany, Brazil, China, and India, and consumers in over 1,500 of these countries. The survey primarily focused on key decision-making processes and emerging trends related to product quality, safety, and environmental transparency.
The survey results show that for environmentally friendly products, 61% of manufacturers believe the product's environmental impact is more important than its impact on human health. However, for consumers, the result is exactly the opposite: 61% of consumers believe the product's impact on human health is far more important than its environmental impact.
This survey also highlights opportunities for manufacturers to increase visibility within their supply chains. 84% of manufacturers felt pressure from stakeholders to disclose supply chain transparency, while 42% of consumers believed that manufacturers' lack of transparency in providing information was misleading. These survey results should provide manufacturers with opportunities to enhance consumer trust.
Sources: Environmental Leader (2013-09-25) (Compiled by PIDC)
