About

Home

Contact

Environment

Happy World Ecolabel Day and 30 years of the EU Ecolabel!

October 13, 2022

Today, more than 50 countries around the world are celebrating World Ecolabel Day, to honor credible ecolabels that are members of the Global Ecolabel Network (the non-profit association of third-party, environmental performance recognition, certification and labelling organizations). The so-called Type-I ecolabels are awarded to goods and services meeting high environmental standards throughout their entire life cycle.

 

Through these third-party verified ecolabels, industry can offer true and reliable eco-friendly alternatives to conventional products, empowering consumers and public buyers to make informed choices and play an active role in the green transition. Choosing and promoting ecolabelled products makes a real contribution to the biggest environmental challenges of our time identified in the European Green Deal, such as reaching climate neutrality by 2050, shifting to a circular economy and reaching the zero-pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment.

 

Several Type-I ecolabels exist all over the world, and among them, the EU Ecolabel, the official voluntary ecolabel for environmental excellence of the European Union, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. The iconic flower proudly emblazoned on its label symbolizes its continuous blossoming. In the past 12 years, the number of EU Ecolabel products has more than quadrupled, now reaching a total of almost 90,000. These products can be found on the EU market and span across 24 product groups that range from detergents, cosmetics, textiles, paper products, to paints and varnishes and also include services such as tourist accommodation and indoor cleaning services.

 

The increasing success of the EU Ecolabel shows the growing interest of businesses, citizens and retailers in green products and in the green transition. This success is also owed to the strong commitment of the stakeholders, the EU Ecolabel “heroes”. As one Portuguese licensee proudly stated, "Sustainable printing is more than a brand promise, it is our belief.... Sustainability is in our DNA."

 

To mark its 30th birthday and pay tribute to its “heroes”, the EU Ecolabel this year came up with something special: the Showroom on Wheels, an EU Ecolabel-branded trailer pulled by an e-bike, which toured  Europe in the summer of 2022. The Showroom started in Brussels with pit stops in Germany, Estonia, Hungary, Czech Republic, and Luxembourg.

 

Check out the Showroom on Wheels journey and watch the video from its summer trip!

 

The Showroom on Wheels is a place for people to meet, talk about their experiences with the EU Ecolabel and discover the many EU Ecolabel products on display. But it also has an inspiring message in store: with the EU Ecolabel, we can make responsible choices, promote responsible business practices, fight greenwashing, and create less waste and emissions.

 

Today, the Showroom is back in Brussels, just in time for World Ecolabel Day, and it is displayed in the Berlaymont building, the ‘heart’ of the European Commission, until 14 October, before setting off on new adventures. While in Brussels, the Showroom on Wheels will also make its way to a 30th Birthday celebration where EU Ecolabel awards will be given out to Belgian license holders.  In November, the Showroom plans to visit the European Parliament to continue showcasing environmental excellence and engage new stakeholders in the green transition.

 

“Happy World Ecolabel Day and Happy 30th Birthday EU Ecolabel!”

 

To the next 30 years of environmental excellence!