The Business Application Software Developers Association (BASDA) has created the Green Charter, the first common agreement on standards and measurements software vendors can all adhere to.

The Green Charter will set an industry standard of ethics and guidelines relating to environmental issues, with all companies signing up allowed to use the logo. Companies listed as a Green Charter will have to adhere to the strict guidelines created in association with the European Commission.

John Doyle, sustainable development policy co-ordinator of the European Commission said: 'The European Commission has acknowledged the important part the business software providers must play. They are the catalysts to enable all sectors of the economy to become more carbon efficient without stifling growth.'

The GC covers four main areas: a commitment for software companies themselves to strive to be more carbon efficient; a pledge to deliver software innovations to drive customers' carbon efficiency; a strategy to work with other relevant bodies to create common standards to aid rapid action; and an acknowledgement of the role BASDA and its members must play in increasing awareness around the issues and solutions.

Jairo Rojas, director general of BASDA said: 'We will work with bodies like the European Commission to ensure targets are met – whilst still recognising the need for continued economic growth.'

There are currently 25 organisations that have signed up:

Access Accounting

Accountsiq

Acorah Software Products

Business-Work-Ware (Docusoft)

Causeway Technologies

COA Solutions

Document Engineering Services

Forbes Computer Systems

GCrypt Ltd

Inovis

Invu

Keytime

Maginus

Mamut

Moore Krickl International

Pegasus

Proteus

PS Financials

Pyramid

HR Ltd