European Union Ecolabel: Quality and sustainability

The European Union Ecolabel (“EU Ecolabel”) is a voluntary labeling scheme recognized throughout the European Union, aimed at promoting sustainable products and services with reduced environmental impact.

This labeling scheme, established by Regulation (EC) 66/2010, applies to products and services that have a reduced environmental impact throughout their entire lifecycle.

Advantages:

Products and services granted licenses to use the EU Ecolabel can be identified by the following logos:

The European Commission is the entity responsible for managing and regulating the EU Ecolabel, ensuring that the system maintains its integrity and reliability. However, the awarding of the label is decentralized, with designated bodies in each Member State tasked with assessing whether products meet the set criteria. In Portugal, applications for the EU Ecolabel are made through the Directorate-General for Economic Activities (“DGAE”).

Criteria for awarding the EU Ecolabel

Currently, there are 11 product and service categories covered by the EU Ecolabel: cleaning products, paper, textiles, tourist accommodation, electronic equipment, lubricants, paints and varnishes, garden products and services, personal care products, coverings, and furniture.

For a product or service to receive the EU Ecolabel, it must meet a series of strict criteria that ensure the reduction of its environmental impact. These criteria are based on scientific studies that assess the environmental impact throughout the product or service’s lifecycle. The criteria vary according to the category but generally include the reduction of harmful substances, efficient energy use during production and use, reduction of waste generated and recycling of materials, resource sustainability, and provision of clear and transparent information on environmental performance.

EU Ecolabel application

In Portugal, applicants must submit the EU Ecolabel application to the DGAE by completing the new EU Ecolabel Application Form.

The application process consists of several phases:

•  Identifying the product/services group

First, the applicant must identify the group to which the product or service belongs.

•  Pre-registration

After analyzing the categories and criteria for each one, the applicant must pre-register with the EU Ecolabel Product Category or the EU Ecolabel Tourist Accommodation Catalogue.

•  Submitting documentation and paying the application fee

The applicant must then submit the application form—and subsequently send it in physical format—to the DGAE, along with all supporting documentation, including: (i) a description of the business model and information about the turnover; (ii)  a list of the products/services to be certified and a description of the target market; (iii) manufacturer/supplier declarations; (iv) safety data sheets for the raw materials/products used in providing the service or in the manufacturing process, as well as the respective technical data sheets; and (v) traceability and sustainability certificates.

If the application is approved, the applicant must pay the first annual fee, after which they can use the EU Ecolabel.