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Summaries of EU Legislation

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Eco-label

The eco-label aims to promote products with a reduced environmental impact compared with other products in the same product group.

ACT

Regulation (EC) No 1980/2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 July 2000 on a revised Community eco-label award scheme.

SUMMARY

The Community Eco-label award scheme is designed to:

promote products which have a reduced environmental impact compared with other products in the same product group;
provide consumers with accurate and scientifically based information and guidance on products.

The following are excluded from the Regulation’s scope:

foodstuffs;
drinks;
pharmaceutical products;
medical devices as defined by Directive 93/42/EEC;
substances or preparations classed as dangerous within the meaning of Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC;
products manufactured by processes likely to significantly harm human beings and/or the environment.

The eco-label may be awarded to products available in the Community which meet certain environmental requirements and specific label criteria.

The environmental requirements are defined with reference to the assessment matrix given in Annex I to the Regulation and are subject to the methodological requirements set out in Annex II. The label may be awarded to products which contribute significantly to improvements in relation to key environmental aspects (or interaction with the environment, in particular energy use and the use of natural resources during the life cycle of the product).

Awarding the label

Eco-label criteria must be established by product group and be based on:

the product’s prospects of market penetration;
the technical and economic feasibility of the necessary adaptations;
the potential for environmental improvement.
they must represent a significant volume of sales and trade in the internal market;
they must have a significant environmental impact;
they must present a significant potential for effecting environmental improvements through consumer choice;
a significant part of the sales volume must be sold for final consumption or use.
manufacturers, importers, service providers, traders or retailers apply to the competent body designated by the Member State in which the product has been manufactured or first marketed or imported from a non-member country;
the competent body assesses whether the product conforms to the criteria of the eco-label and decides whether to award the label;
the competent body concludes a standard contract with the applicant, covering the terms of use of the label.

The criteria are set, assessed and reviewed by the European Union Eco-Labelling Board (EUEB). They are published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

The products must fulfill the following conditions:

Applying for the award of a European eco-label:

Applications for the award of an eco-label are subject to payment of a fee. The use of the label is also subject to the payment of an annual fee by the user.

Any product to which the eco-label is awarded is recognisable by the ‘daisy’ logo, as described in Annex III to the Regulation.

The Commission and the Member States must promote the use of the eco-label by means of awareness-raising actions and information campaigns. They must ensure coordination between the Community scheme and existing national schemes.

Background

This Regulation repeals Council Regulation (EEC) No 880/92 in order to improve the functioning of the Community Eco-label scheme.

References

Act	Entry into force - Date of expiry	Deadline for transposition in the Member States	Official Journal
Regulation (EC) No. 1980/2000	24.09.2000	-	OJ L 237 of 21.09.2000

RELATED ACTS

Commission Decision 2000/728/EC of 10 November 2000 establishing the application and annual fees of the Community Eco-label [Official Journal L 293 of 22.11.2000]. This Decision sets minimum and maximum fees, and the reductions granted in certain cases.

Consolidated version

Commission Decision 2000/729/EC of 10 November 2000 on a standard contract covering the terms of use of the Community Eco-label [Official Journal L 293 of 22.11.2000]. This measure stipulates that the contract between the competent body and the applicant must be in the form set out in the Annex to the Decision. It also repeals Decision 93/517/EC on a standard contract covering the terms of use of the Community eco-label.

Commission Decision 2000/730/EC of 10 November 2000 establishing the European Union Eco-labelling Board and its rules of procedure [Official Journal L 293 of 22.11.2000].

Commission Decision 2000/731/EC of 10 November 2000 establishing the rules of procedure of the Consultation Forum of the revised Community Eco-label Scheme [Official Journal L 293 of 22.11.2000].

Decisions awarding the Eco-label

Commissoin Decision 2009/607/EC (Hard coverings).

Commission Decision 2009/598/EC (Bed mattresses).

Commission Decision 2009/578/EC (Tourist accommodation service).

Commission Decision 2009/568/EC (Tissue paper, kitchen paper and other absorbant products for domestic use).

Commission Decision 2009/567/EC (Textile products).

Commission Decision 2009/564/EC (Campsite service).

Commission Decision 2009/563/EC (Footwear).

Commission Decision 2009/544/EC (Indoor paints and varnishes).

Commission Decision 2009/543/EC (Outdoor paints and varnishes).

Commission Decision 2009/300/EC (Televisions).

Commission Decision 2001/689/EC (Dishwasher).