Manufacturers receive a separate score for each of the Raw Materials, Energy, Water and Impact leaves. This is derived by adding the weighted scores in each of these areas.

For ease of understanding, the scores are presented visually in the four leaves of a clover and range in colour from green, being environmentally friendly through yellow – neutral to red which indicates environmentally unfriendly.

In rating products it is important to remember that some product types are inherently more environmentally unfriendly and manufacturers may have little ability to reduce their footprint. Consumers can select the least unfriendly within a category or choose a substitute item.