Blauer Engel For FOSS (BE4FOSS)
In 2020 the Umweltbundesamt ('German Environment Agency') released the award criteria for obtaining eco-certification with the Blauer Engel label for desktop software. Categories for certification include energy efficiency, extending the potential operating life of hardware, and user autonomy … all of which fit seamlessly with free and open source software.
The BE4FOSS project advances eco-certification for resource efficient software in the FOSS community. Obtaining the Blauer Engel label occurs in 3 steps: (1) MEASURE, (2) ANALYZE, and (3) CERTIFY.
- MEASURE in dedicated labs, such as at KDAB Berlin
- ANALYZE using statistical tools such as OSCAR (Open source Software Consumption Analysis in R)
- CERTIFY by submitting the report on the fulfillment of the Blauer Engel criteria
The benefits of obtaining the ecolabel include:
- Recognition of reaching high standards for environmentally-friendly software design
- Differentiating free software from the alternatives
- Increasing the appeal of adoption for consumers
- Promoting transparency in the ecological footprint of software
How you can help
- Follow 3-steps to Blauer Engel eco-certification: (1) Measure, (2) Analyze, (3) Certify
- Squash bugs labelled 'efficiency'
- Set up a measurement lab in your community
- Develop automation tools for energy consumption measurements
- Assist with statistical analysis and related tools (e.g., OSCAR)
