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Eco-labelling is a means of conveying environmental information to the consumer with the eco-label being the carrier of information, telling the public through the label that the product is more environmentally friendly than comparable products. The Blue Angel, Germany's eco-label, fulfils the role of an instrument of environmental protection to a high degree by being limited to the relevant facts, carrying easily understandable information and by ensuring that the information originates from a neutral official source. Furthermore, the information contained in the Blue Angel is both easily recognized and easily obtained. On the negative side, however, the Blue Angel is sometimes not easily understood without the need for additional information and the relativity of the eco-label is not readily understood by the consumer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses issues concerning the environmental policy in Germany, the U.S. and Japan. Factors considered in determining the ecological footprint in the U.S.; Information on the environmental problems in Germany, the U.S., and Japan; Estimated biologically productive acres per person worldwide; Description of the green social welfare approach of Germany to environmental protection; Background on the environmental policies of the three countries.