The European ecological label, also called "EU Ecolabel", aims to promote products that reduce negative effects on the environment. In order to be certified, these products must meet the exact criteria throughout their life-cycle. These products must be inspected by each Member State of the European Union, in order to assure the consumers that they are in compliance with these criteria.
A European ecological label
Everyday consumer products and their packaging have a significant impact on the environment. Several consumers these days would like to prefer products that are cleaner, and which further comply with the environment throughout their lifespan.
With the European Ecolabel, the European Union is addressing all the economic participants:
• as an information tool, it allows the seller and the buyer - including the governments - to knowingly choose a more environmentally friendly solution.
• For producers, it is a stimulant to competition. These two aspects are essential to shift the market in favour of more "green" products.
The European Regulation
The European Ecolabel is defined by Regulation (EC) No. 66/2010 of the European Parliament and the Council of 25 November 2009 creating the EU ecological label.
Any product which is awarded the Ecolabel can be recognised by a logo and a registration number listed on the label.
Flower European Ecolabel
Controls in Belgium
The Company that has obtained the registration number and the right to affix the logo on its product from the competent Belgian Authority is subject to periodic inspections conducted by the Federal Environmental Inspection (FPS Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment).
The inspectors check product compliance with the criteria on the label. These criteria are adapted according to the product category and its life-cycle (LCA = Life-Cycle Analysis).
The criteria are:
• established by national expert groups;
• clear, precise;
• applied consistently throughout the European Union;
• based on the review of many parameters: polluting emissions in the air, discharges in the water, no carcinogenic substance, raw material and energy consumption, production of waste, noise, soil degradation, effects on ecosystems, etc.
The ultimate goal of this life-cycle analysis is to reduce the pressure of a product on resources and the environment throughout its life-cycle, from the extraction of raw materials, its distribution, its consumption and its use up to the end of life treatment (landfill, recycling, etc.).
The Federal Environmental Inspection organises annual inspection campaigns targeting companies holding one or more eco-labelled products.
This annual monitoring ensures compliance with the criteria.
More information on the European Ecolabel:
www.ecolabel.be
www.ecolabel.eu
www.infolabel.be