ABSTRACT
The Green Purchasing Network (GPN) was established in February 1996 to promote green purchasing in Japan. The GPN promotes and disseminates green purchasing practices, draws up purchasing guidelines for each type of product, publishes Environmental Data Books on various products, holds seminars and study meetings, and awards commendations to organisations that have shown outstanding performance in implementing green purchasing. The GPN is developing guidelines for the purchase of stationery and office supplies, washing machines, and light bulbs and lighting equipment. The GPN has been drawing up specific purchasing guidelines for each type of product, based on the basic principles of green purchasing. The GPN provides an important opportunity for people involved in the same issues to understand each other's positions and technical developments, and reach mutual consensus. The GPN has opened a home page on the Internet, which presents activities, a list of members, guidelines, and product information available in the Data Books.
