New phone application identifies green products

A new mobile phone application will give shoppers access to the ethical and environmental credentials of companies selling branded goods.

The application, barcoo, is free to download and gives consumers access to a company's social, ethical and environmental profile by scanning the barcode of the product they are considering buying.

The application works through the camera on a mobile phone, scanning the barcode of the product. The company behind barcoo, GmbH, incorporates a red, amber and green, traffic light system to rate corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Benjamin Thym, the founder of barcoo says the application gives consumers a detailed picture of a company's green credentials instantly.

"Barcoo has been designed to encourage consumers to look deeper into the sustainability of the products they consume," said Thym, as reported in the Guardian. "Companies boast about the positive attributes of their organisation and its products in their marketing material and advertising campaigns which plays a large part in our purchasing decisions."

The software provides a price comparison function and gives details of nutritional information and production information, such as if a certain product is an endangered species.

Thym added: "Having information to hand gives a more detailed picture of the brand, including its sustainability and ethics, will not only empower the shopper but will also push manufacturers towards further embracing the growing trend of being more green and ethical."

Barcoo partnered with WeGreen to provide the CSR information from over 20 international institutions that examine and validate social responsibility claims, giving shoppers access to information about the level of a company's environmental awareness and responsibility, how it treats its staff, as well as how transparent these messages are delivered to the consumer.

Barcoo also includes a fish guide whereby consumers can scan a fish product and retrieve guidance from the International Seafood Guide and the WWF on whether the fish in question is on the endangered species list.

Embedded into the application are product test reviews by other barcoo users, as well as reviews provided by consumer magazines and feedback from shoppers. Live market research is provided by the ScanTicker which shows what products are being scanned and commented on in real-time, enabling barcoo users to share shopping trends, information and tips.

The application can be used by those who are serious about ethical purchasing, or those who are curious to see how ethical their everyday products are.

Author: Leroy Robinson | Climate Action

Image: barcoo | Flickr