Consumer NZ deputy CEO Karen McDonald has been appointed to chair the New Zealand Ecolabelling Trust (NZET).

McDonald, who is also head of business development at Consumer NZ, takes over the role from long-standing chair Richard Tong, who will retire from the Trust at the end of 2018.

The Trust was set up in 2002 to administer the Government’s Environmental Choice New Zealand ecolabel, which covers a range of products and services including building, cleaning, paper tissue, toiletry, paint, carpet, office equipment and furnishing products.

McDonald joined the Trust as a board member representing consumers in 2015.

She says her goal will be to help ensure the ecolabel remains relevant to the cause of sustainability and environmental protection in New Zealand.

“We will also continue to robustly pursue any opportunities where a scientifically founded, independently assessed, verifiable label is required,” said McDonald.

“We still see a strong need for markers like Environmental Choice New Zealand which tell businesses and consumers that they can rely on the environmental claims made by a company.”