Austrian Ecolabel (Umweltzeichen)

Issuing Organization:
The Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK) and the Austrian Standards International

Label purpose:
The Austrian Ecolabel recognizes products and services in Austria that are environmentally friendly, sustainable, and high-quality. It covers a broad spectrum, including products, tourism, educational institutions, and green meetings/events. The label aims to guide consumers towards sustainable options and promote responsible consumption and production patterns.

Certification Criteria:
Certification involves meeting rigorous environmental standards that exceed legal requirements, including low pollutant emissions, energy efficiency, resource conservation, and socio-ethical standards. Criteria vary by category but focus on reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainability throughout a product's life cycle or a service's delivery.
Geographical Coverage:
Certification involves meeting rigorous environmental standards that exceed legal requirements, including low pollutant emissions, energy efficiency, resource conservation, and socio-ethical standards. Criteria vary by category but focus on reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainability throughout a product's life cycle or a service's delivery.
Target Industries/Segments:
The Austrian Ecolabel covers a wide array of sectors, including cleaning products, paper products, tourism services (hotels, campsites), educational institutions, and more. It also certifies "Green Meetings and Green Events" for sustainable event management.
Certification Process:
Applicants must demonstrate compliance with specific environmental and sustainability criteria relevant to their sector. The process includes a detailed application, documentation review, and assessments, typically conducted by experts from Austrian Standards International. Successful applicants receive the Ecolabel, signaling their commitment to environmental excellence.
Certificate Validity:
The certification is valid for four years, after which companies must undergo a re-certification process to ensure ongoing compliance with current criteria and continuous improvement in their environmental performance.
Benefits for Consumers/Producers:
For consumers, the label serves as a reliable indicator of environmentally and socially responsible products and services. For businesses, it enhances brand reputation, demonstrates a commitment to sustainability, and can open up new market opportunities by appealing to environmentally conscious customers.
Sustainability Impact:
By promoting products and services that adhere to high environmental standards, the Austrian Ecolabel contributes to the protection of the environment, encourages sustainable consumption, and supports the sustainable development goals within Austria and beyond.