Veredium gets Green Choice Seal of Approval

MANILA, Philippines - After two years of going through a strict qualification process, three automotive engine oils being sold by Veredium Energy Ventures, Inc. (Veredium), exclusive distributor in the Philippines of Italy’s no. 1 engine oil brand Agip, passed with flying colors the criteria for a technologically and ecologically sound oil product. The Green Choice Seal of Approval has been awarded to Agip Diesel Sigma Plus Engine Oil and Agip Extra HTS Fully Synthetic Engine Oil. The seal was also awarded to Veredium’s in-house brand XTEC Fully Synthetic Engine Oil.

Green Choice Philippines, which is part of the Global Ecolabelling Network, certifies that these products are of high technical standard and ecologically responsible after having gone through stringent evaluation by the National Ecolabeling Board comprised of government agencies and experts in various technical fields. The Global Eco-labelling Network is a non-profit association of third-party, environmental performance labelling organizations which aim to identify environmentally responsible products in the world market.

Veredium products are the first and only engine oils in the Philippines and the region to have earned the Green Choice Seal for their adherence to stringent technical and environmental standards. These standards include a minimum 10,000 km oil change interval and a system of retrieval and disposal of at least 25 percent of engine oil sold.

Th oil retrieval criterion will help address quality issues and the “invisible oil spill” where approximately 200 million liters of waste engine oil are unaccounted for. Veredium has in fact partnered with ABS-CBN Foundation’s Bantay Kalikasan to engage in a joint effort to retrieve waste oil from industrial and automotive firms. Waste engine oil dumped indiscriminately can wreak irreparable damage to the environment.

Furthermore, the production process, transport and disposal features of the Veredium products have also been proven to comply with relevant environmental legislations such as not containing any of the prohibited substances.

Veredium President & CEO Petteri Makitalo received from Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza, the ceremonial Green Choice Seal during the Earth Day celebration held at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

Makitalo says, “The awarding of the Green Choice ecolabel to our premier motor oil products is reflective of our company’s mission to give only the highest quality and, at the same time, ecologically responsible products to Filipino consumers.”

The Veredium executive said that Eni, the Italian manufacturer of the Agip brand of oils, has worked hand in hand with the Philippine company to ensure that the products get the eco label. “The Green Choice Seal, which is based on the ISO environmental standards, is indeed an important distinction that will help make consumers, not only in the Philippines but anywhere in the world where Agip is being sold, choose the brand for its distinction of being both technically and environmentally sound.”

According to former Environment Secretary Elisea “Bebet” Gozun, who is President of Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, Inc. (PCEPSDI), which administers the National Ecolabelling Programme, “Unlike most engine oils, the two Agip brands should be lauded for their dedication to the preservation of the environment.”

“I hope more companies will apply for the ecolabel and follow the path that the manufacturers and distributors of Agip have chosen to take,” adds Gozun.

The National Ecolabelling Programme – Green Choice Philippines (NELP-GCP) is a pioneering project based on ISO 14024. The Green Choice Seal is the only third-party and multiple-criteria based seal of approval on environmental claims that is being espoused by the government.