Some government agencies failed to meet their annual “green procurement” quota last year, Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) statistics showed.
The Executive Yuan in 2002 introduced the “Government agency green procurement” initiative, asking all governmental departments and local governments to purchase office products bearing the Green Mark.
In 2002, Green Mark items had to represent 50 percent of all purchases; in 2006, that figure rose to 80 percent. This year, the target was 85 percent.
However, while in 2006 the actual purchase rate of Green Mark office goods was 88 percent, last year it dropped to 71.9 percent, making it the first year the government failed to meet its goal.
Moreover, the value of purchased goods decreased from NT$6.38 billion (US$196 million) in 2006 to NT$5.92 billion last year.
Data showed that of the 40 governmental agencies, 13 failed to comply with the green procurement regulations, while more than half of the 25 cities and counties nationwide did not meet the standard.
The Aviation Safety Council had the worst record, with a purchase rate of Green Mark goods of only 15 percent. Second worst was the Ministry of Education, with 55 percent.
While all local governments met the requirements in 2006, 13 failed to comply last year, with Penghu County faring the worst, with a 64 percent purchase rate.
Taipei City, with a 96 percent rate, was the best performing city.
The EPA said the poor performance last year may have been the result of 26 electronic devices up for purchase whose addition to the Green Mark list was delayed by technical problems during their examination.
Last year, the declaration was electronic rather than in paper form as in previous years, making the declarations more accurate, the EPA added.
The EPA said the initiative was an administrative order that rewards those who perform well.
However, it would not punish government departments that fail to comply — it only issues warnings to responsible personnel in the departments, it said.
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