EU Ecolabel
Issuing Organization:
The European Union
Label purpose:
The EU Ecolabel is a label of environmental excellence awarded to products and services meeting high environmental standards throughout their life-cycle, from raw material extraction to production, distribution, and disposal. It aims to help consumers identify products and services with a reduced environmental impact during their entire life cycle, thereby promoting the circular economy.
Certification Criteria:
Products and services must meet stringent environmental and performance criteria that are based on a life-cycle assessment. The criteria include reducing environmental damage or risk (such as water pollution or use of hazardous substances), resource efficiency, energy efficiency, reduction of waste, and the product's overall environmental impact.
Geographical Coverage:
Products and services must meet stringent environmental and performance criteria that are based on a life-cycle assessment. The criteria include reducing environmental damage or risk (such as water pollution or use of hazardous substances), resource efficiency, energy efficiency, reduction of waste, and the product's overall environmental impact.
Target Industries/Segments:
Broad range, including cleaning products, electronic equipment, textiles, home and garden products, lubricants, and services such as tourist accommodation.
Certification Process:
The process involves applying to a national competent body, providing detailed information and documentation proving compliance with the EU Ecolabel criteria. An evaluation of the application follows this, and if successful, the EU Ecolabel is awarded.
Certificate Validity:
The certificate is valid for a set period (often between three to five years), after which companies must reapply to renew their certification. Renewal assessments verify ongoing compliance with the updated criteria.
Benefits for Consumers/Producers:
For consumers, the EU Ecolabel offers a trustworthy and easy way to identify environmentally friendly products and services. For producers, it provides a competitive advantage in the European market, enhances product value, and supports companies in their environmental performance improvement efforts.
Sustainability Impact:
The EU Ecolabel drives sustainable production and consumption by encouraging businesses to reduce their environmental impact, which helps protect Europe's natural resources. It contributes to the European Union's goals of achieving a sustainable, circular economy and reducing the ecological footprint of its population and industries.
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