• serve its members, other ecolabelling programs, other stakeholders, and the public by improving, promoting and developing the ecolabelling of products, the credibility of ecolabelling programs worldwide, and the availability of information regarding ecolabelling standards from around the world;
• foster co-operation, information exchange and harmonization among its members, associates, and other ecolabelling programs with regard to ecolabelling;
• facilitate access to information regarding ecolabelling standards from around the world;
• participate in certain international organizations in order to promote ecolabelling generally; and
• encourage the demand for, and supply of, more environmentally responsible goods and services.

In support of this mission, GEN members:

• set criteria for and certify products and services with lower environmental burdens and impacts than comparable products/services with the same function;
• provide information, advice and technical assistance to organizations contemplating or developing programs;
• disseminate information to the public; and
• represent the interests of ecolabelling in various international meetings and events.

For more information on GEN activities, please go to "GEN Activities" 

While membership is intended for ecolabelling organizations that share the GEN's objectives and meet basic criteria, much of the information collected in the GEN's programs and many of the GEN's meetings on ecolabelling topics are open to a broader audience.

Based on a decision taken at the 2000 Annual General Meeting (AGM), participation in GEN initiatives and activities has been expanded to include "associates". These associates are to be not-for-profit organizations that formally support ecolabelling principles and goals, though they are not ecolabelling practitioners. Go to find  "Associates ".

In 1995, SIS Ecolabelling AB (Sweden) was selected by the Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN) Board of Directors to perform a range of secretariat duties in support of the GEN for a three-year period. At the same time, a General Affairs Office was established in the offices of the Japan Environment Association (JEA) to collaborate with the Secretariat in providing administrative support to the membership, the Board, and the Chair. The roles and responsibilities of the two organizations were determined and accepted.

In August 1999, the Secretariat function was transferred to TerraChoice Environmental Services Inc. (Canada). The General Affairs Office continues to be operated by the JEA. Both report to the Board of Directors.