A trade mark is described as green if its inherent characteristics or the products or services it represents relate to ecology, the environment and sustainability. As described in detail in the FAQ on trade marks, the main function of a trade mark – whether green or not – is to distinguish a company’s products or services from those of other companies. A trade mark must therefore be distinctive and must not be misleading or contrary to public policy, morality or applicable legislation. The same applies to green trade marks (further information on labels and the legal aspects of green trade marks can be found here).

Read this comprehensive report by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) on green trade marks in around 30 countries to find out how trade marks have evolved over the years in the area of sustainable development. Switzerland tops the ranking with the highest proportion of trade marks registered as green and the strongest increase in applications for such trade marks between 2015 and 2022 – over 20%! The IPI hasn’t conducted a comparable study at national level, but it’s highly likely that the results would correspond to those of the EUIPO study.