EU Ecolabel

The EU Ecolabel, identified by its distinctive flower logo, is the official pan-European voluntary environmental label established by Regulation (EC) No 66/2010. It signals to buyers, including public contracting authorities, that a product or service has been independently verified to meet rigorous environmental criteria covering its life cycle, from raw material extraction through production, use, and end-of-life management. The EU Ecolabel is managed by the European Commission and operated through a network of national Competent Bodies, one per member state, which handle applications and grant licences.

What is the EU Ecolabel?

The EU Ecolabel applies to more than 30 product and service categories, including paints and varnishes, cleaning products, textiles, footwear, paper products, computers and laptops, televisions, hard floor coverings, tourist accommodation, and campsite services. Each product group has its own criteria document, developed through a transparent consultation process involving industry, NGOs, and government representatives, and updated periodically (typically every four to six years) to keep pace with market and scientific developments.

Criteria for each product group address the most significant life-cycle impacts identified through LCA analysis. They typically include requirements on:

Energy efficiency. Use-phase energy consumption limits or efficiency ratings, often aligned with or stricter than Ecodesign Directive requirements.

Hazardous substances. Restrictions on substances of very high concern (SVHCs), biocides, certain dyes, and other chemicals of environmental or health concern, going beyond the baseline requirements of REACH and RoHS in many categories.

Durability and repairability. Minimum lifetime expectations, availability of spare parts, and manufacturer repair commitments, reflecting circular economy principles relevant to Circular Public Procurement (CPP).

Packaging and end-of-life. Requirements on packaging material reduction, recyclability, and take-back schemes.

In public procurement, the EU Ecolabel plays a specific role under Article 43 of Directive 2014/24/EU. Contracting authorities may require that products carry the EU Ecolabel as proof that they meet specific environmental characteristics, provided they also accept equivalent labels or other means of proof, such as a technical dossier demonstrating that the product meets the same criteria. This acceptance-of-equivalents obligation prevents discrimination against suppliers whose products meet the same performance standard but hold a different label, for example the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, the Blue Angel (Germany), or the Austrian Ecolabel.

The GPP Criteria (EU) frequently reference the EU Ecolabel as an accepted means of proof at both Core and Comprehensive levels. For categories where an EU Ecolabel product group exists, the criteria document will typically state that holding the label satisfies the relevant environmental specification, sparing the authority the need to define detailed technical sub-criteria and sparing the bidder the need to compile evidence beyond presenting their licence certificate.

Why the EU Ecolabel matters for bidders

The EU Ecolabel is one of the most efficient procurement credentials in European public markets. A single licence certificate, granted after independent verification, serves as evidence across multiple tenders in all EU member states and in EEA countries (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein) that recognise it. It eliminates the need to compile bespoke technical evidence for each bid, reduces the risk of evidence being challenged, and provides a marketing signal that functions both in public procurement and in commercial B2B and B2C channels.

For product categories where GPP criteria are widely adopted (cleaning products, paper, IT equipment, textiles), not holding the EU Ecolabel or an equivalent recognised label is an increasing competitive disadvantage.

Example

A Spanish regional government issues a framework for the supply of office cleaning products. Its technical specification incorporates the EU GPP Core Criteria for cleaning products, which require that surfactants be readily biodegradable and that the product not contain certain hazardous substances. The specification states that products holding the EU Ecolabel for cleaning products are deemed to satisfy these requirements. A supplier with an EU Ecolabel licence submits the licence certificate number as its sole technical compliance evidence. A supplier without the label must submit a detailed technical dossier demonstrating equivalence on each criterion, which requires more preparation time and creates more room for evaluation challenge.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for the EU Ecolabel?

Applications are made to the national Competent Body in the country where the applicant is established. The Competent Body assesses the application against the product group criteria, may request test reports or other evidence, and issues the licence if criteria are met. Application fees and annual licence fees apply, though reduced fees are available for SMEs. A full list of national Competent Bodies is available on the EU Ecolabel website.

Can non-EU suppliers hold the EU Ecolabel?

Yes. The EU Ecolabel is open to producers and service providers from any country, provided they apply through a Competent Body in an EU member state. Non-EU manufacturers whose products are sold in the EU commonly hold EU Ecolabel licences, particularly in the textiles, paper, and IT equipment categories.

Does the EU Ecolabel cover environmental criteria only?

Primarily yes, though some product group criteria include restrictions on hazardous substances that also have human health dimensions. The EU Ecolabel does not cover social or labour standards; those are addressed by separate labels such as Fair Trade certifications or, in public procurement, by Socially Responsible Public Procurement (SRPP) criteria.