The Eco-label is a European voluntary scheme intended to promote products with a reduced environmental impact during their entire life cycle. This measure is closely linked to the Eco-design and Green Public Purchasing.

 

Eco-label is not awarded to substances that meet the carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic for reproduction (CMR) and substance of very high concern (SVHC) criteria as defined under REACH, but in some instances derogations on ad hoc basis are possible.

When awarded, the Eco-label symbol can also have an optional text outlining the product’s three main environmentally-friendly criteria, such as the exclusion of a certain chemical substance in the article.

The Commission is working on criteria for product groups such mattresses and footwear, which might be based on polyurethanes.

 

 ISOPA Position

  • ISOPA considers eco-label should be a forward-looking and necessary tool to enable products to provide a high level of environmental protection throughout their life-cycles.
  • ISOPA is committed to assist in the implementation and development of the eco-label scheme across products in Europe provided criteria are developed based on sound science.
  • ISOPA Insists that eco-label consistently applies well-defined criteria based on sound scientific evidence, takes a full life-cycle perspective, and remains sufficiently flexible to drive product development by adopting a risk-based approach rather than restricting chemicals on the basis of their classification alone